Question

from speech to the u.s. house of representatives on foreign policy
july 4, 1821
by president john quincy adams
john quincy adams gave this speech to the house of representatives when he was serving as secretary of state under president james monroe. adams himself later served as the sixth president, from 1825 to 1829. he begins his speech with his answer to the question, \what has america done for the benefit of mankind?\
let our answer be this: america, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human 1 nature, and the only lawful foundations of government. america, in the assembly of nations, since her admission among them, has invariably, though often fruitlessly, held forth to them the hand of honest friendship, of equal freedom, of generous reciprocity.
2 she has uniformly spoken among them, though often to heedless and often to disdainful ears, the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights.
3 she has, in the lapse of nearly half a century, without a single exception, respected the independence of other nations while asserting and maintaining her own.
4 she has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the
the following question has two parts. answer part a first, and then part b.
part a
what is president adams’s main claim in his speech to the us house of representatives?
○ the united states should fight to protect freedom anywhere around the world.
○ the united states should not interfere with other countries, even to protect freedom.
○ the united states should speak out against injustices that happen anywhere in the world.
○ the united states should not criticize other countries, even if they violate others’ rights.

Explanation:

Part A

To determine the main claim, we analyze the speech excerpts. Sentence 4 states "She has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings". This shows the US does not interfere with other countries, even for freedom - related reasons. Let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: The speech emphasizes non - interference, so this is incorrect.
• Option 2: Matches the idea of non - interference in other countries' affairs, even to protect freedom, as seen in the speech.
• Option 3: The speech is about non - interference, not speaking out against injustices, so this is incorrect.
• Option 4: The speech is about non - interference, not about not criticizing, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The United States should not interfere with other countries, even to protect freedom.