Read the excerpt from “George Washington.” He did not infringe upon the policy making powers that he felt the Constitution gave Congress. But the determination of foreign policy became preponderantly a Presidential concern. When the French Revolution led to a major war between France and England, Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British. Rather, he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger. Which provides the best objective summary of this excerpt?
Answer
A
Washington refused to accept entirely the recommendations of either his secretary of state Thomas Jefferson, who was pro-French, or his secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton, who was pro-British.
B
As president, Washington believed that the United States should remain neutral in foreign policy even though he had advisors who recommended that he take sides during the war between France and England.
C
President Washington made a good choice when he decided not to accept the recommendations of his advisors and instead insisted that the United States stay neutral during the war between France and England
D
Washington did not make policy decisions during his presidency because he did not want to interfere with the policy-making powers that the Constitution gave Congress.
Explanation
The excerpt explains that Washington did not fully follow either Jefferson’s pro-French advice or Hamilton’s pro-British advice. Instead, he chose neutrality while the United States grew stronger. Choice B summarizes that main idea without adding an opinion; choice C, for example, calls his decision “good,” which is not objective.
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