1. Interventionist vs. Isolationist
Are you an interventionist? Do you like to get involved and help fix a problem when you see it, even when it has nothing to do with you?
Or are you an isolationist? Do you prefer to stay out of other people’s problems when it doesn’t involve you?

2. Word Web!
Today, we will focus on “isolationism”—this was the foreign policy that George Washington used in his time as President. Create a word-web for “Isolationism” below your do-first!
ISOLATIONSIM

3. What was George Washington’s Foreign Policy?
When Washington took office as the first president of the United States, America was weak. The army that had won the revolution had disbanded (broke apart) and gone home. Many Americans believed that we didn’t need a national army anymore because state militias (state-run armies) could handle any attacks or threats from foreign countries.

4. Washington’s Foreign Policy
Unfortunately for all of the states, America was surrounded by unfriendly neighbors.
Britain still controlled territory to the north, in Canada. The British also refused to leave territories that they had claimed during the French and Indian War in the Ohio Valley (even though that region technically belonged to the United States)
Spain controlled the territory to the south and west of the U.S.

5. Relations with other Countries…
Americans were also unsure about how to deal with France—
On the one side, Republicans supported France who had helped Americans achieve independence.
On the other side, Federalists supported maintaining good relations with Britain so that they could continue trading with this powerful nation.

6. Isolationism
President Washington decided that it was best to take on a foreign policy of Isolationism. This is the decision for the government NOT to get involved in the problems of other foreign countries, but instead to remain neutral.
At the end of his presidency, in his famous Farewell Address, Washington declared that it would be best for America to remain in isolation—he recommended that all future presidents avoid making any permanent alliances with other countries.

7. Check your Understanding
Draw a visual image to represent Washington’s policy of “ISOLATIONISM”. Be sure to include France, Britain, and Spain in your drawing!