Question

use the excerpt below to answer the question that follows:
washington longed to retire to his fields at mount vernon. but he soon realized that the nation under its articles of confederation was not functioning well, so he became a prime mover in the steps leading to the constitutional convention at philadelphia in 1787. when the new constitution was ratified, the electoral college unanimously elected washington president. 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.
—whitehouse.gov
based on evidence from your text, why did washington reject the advice of both jefferson and hamilton and adopt a policy of neutrality?
(1 point)
○ washington was upset over the murder of the french king.
○ the nation could not afford another war so soon after the revolution.
○ washington was timid about taking military action.
○ washington feared that war would divide the nation.

Explanation:

The text states "he insisted upon a neutral course until the United States could grow stronger." This implies that the nation was in a fragile state post - Revolution and another war would be too burdensome. There is no mention in the text about Washington being upset over the French king's murder, being timid about military action, or fearing national division due to war. The key point is the nation's post - Revolutionary state and inability to afford another war.

Answer:

The nation could not afford another war so soon after the Revolution.