Popular slogans for peace-activists and isolationists when speaking of the Global War on Terror and U.S. foreign policy in general commonly make some sort of reference to the following quote from George Washington’s Farewell Address:

36 – The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political connexion as possible. So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. Here let us stop.

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But while Washington’s quote does seem to suggest an isolationist policy, those activists and isolationists who have taken these words out of context and twisted them to represent a prophetic warning against a number of U.S. foreign relations policies (such as our supporting our numerous allies around the globe), are just plain ignorant of history.

If these “scholars” would have continued reading, they would have learned why Washington made that statement:

37 Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or enmities.

This was true, however, Washington said these words in 1796 when the world was still relatively spread-out and citizens of one nation were relatively detached from citizens of other nations. Washington may have been “indispensable,” but his Farewell Address (understandably) lacked the farsightedness needed to anticipate the scale of globalization that was to come. As early as the turn of 19th century, American interests were at stake. Muslim pirates from Tripoli had declared jihad on the U.S. because Jefferson refused to continue paying tribute:

In May, 1801, the United States refused to succumb to the increasing demands of the Pacha of Tripoli; in return, the Pacha declared war against the States. While Tripoli was not a strong power and little effort was necessary to watch and blockade it, the fear was that the other Barbary powers would join against the United States. The United States sent naval squadrons into the Mediterranean under the slogan of “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Under the leadership of Commodores Richard Dale and Edward Preble, the Navy blockaded the enemy coast, bombarded his shore fortresses, and engaged in close, bitterly contested gunboat actions.

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But Washington’s point was never to completely isolate America (he knew we weren’t completely self-sufficient), nor was it to cut-and-run or surrender when we are bullied. Washington was dedicated to preserving America so that we would be loved by our friends and feared by our enemies, and so we could serve as shining beacon of hope for the rest of the world:

38 Our detached and distant situation invites and enables us to pursue a different course. If we remain one people, under an efficient government, the period is not far off, when we may defy material injury from external annoyance; when we may take such an attitude as will cause the neutrality, we may at any time resolve upon, to be scrupulously respected; when belligerent nations, under the impossibility of making acquisitions upon us, will not lightly hazard the giving us provocation; when we may choose peace or war, as our interest, guided by justice, shall counsel.

Since the turn of the 20th century America has had that choice, i.e. whether or not to go to war. The condition of Japan after WWII demonstrated the imprudence of those who “lightly hazard the giving us provocation.” And finally, America’s commitment to our allies and to promoting Freedom and Democracy around the world prove our interests are guided by the counsel of Justice.