2007-02-02 04:31:51 · 1 answers · asked by zebbie g 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Why do you think Washington was politically neutral? Because of his farewell address warning about the dangers of factions? I would suggest that he was not neutral (for example, he was clearly pro-independence, and pro-Federalist), simply that he opposed the formal creation and maintenance of political parties. More accurate to say that he was bi-partisan, not neutral (i.e. did not have a preference or opinion.)
The only other politically and socially prominant person in that era that springs to mind who wasn't a staunch advocate of one party or the other was Ben Franklin, who before the Revolution was probably the best known man in the Americas. Jefferson and Hamilton were clearly partisan, Adams less so, Madison...eh, on the fence. Madison was more about getting his own political needs met and would do whatever it took to get what he wanted, as you can see by tracking his various positions on the federalism question.
2007-02-02 05:17:23 · answer #1 · answered by esquirewinters 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋