Question

adapted from seventh annual message to congress (1795) by george washington contemplating the internal situation as well as the external relations of the united states, we discover equal cause for contentment and satisfaction. many of the nations of europe, with their american dependencies, have been involved in a contest unusually bloody, exhausting, and calamitous. the evils of foreign war have been aggravated by domestic convulsion and insurrection. many of the arts most useful to society have been exposed to discouragement and decay. scarcity of subsistence has embittered other sufferings. the anticipations of a return of the blessings of peace and repose are allowed by the sense of heavy and accumulating burdens, which press upon all the departments of industry and threaten to clog the future springs of government. yet our favored country, happy in a shrinking contest, has enjoyed tranquility. this tranquility is the more satisfactory because maintained at the expense of no duty. faithful to ourselves, we have violated no obligations to others. our agriculture, commerce, and manufactures prosper beyond former example, the molestations of our trade—to prevent a continuance of which, however, very pointed remonstrances have been made—being overbalanced by the aggregate benefits which it derives from a neutral position. our population advances with a celerity which, exceeding the most sanguine calculations, proportionally augments our strength and resources, and guarantees our future security. every part of the union displays indications of rapid and various improvement. with burdens so light as scarcely to be perceived, with governments founded on the genuine principles of rational liberty, and with mild and wholesome laws, is it too much to say that our country exhibits a spectacle of national happiness never surpassed, if ever before equaled? placed in a situation every way so auspicious, motives of commanding force impel us, with sincere acknowledgement to heaven and pure love to our country, to unite our efforts to preserve, prolong, and improve our immense advantages. to cooperate with you in this desirable work is a fervent and favorite wish of my heart. which sentence provides the best objective summary of the passage? a. president washington sincerely believes that the united states is the best and happiest nation on earth b. president washington reflects on the united states’s tranquility in contrast to ongoing conflict in other nations c. president washington explains why being neutral is better than engaging in discouraging international disputes d. president washington elegantly describes the successes in national agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing

Explanation:

To determine the best summary, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The passage doesn't claim the US is the "best and happiest nation on earth" as a fact; it's more about the situation and neutrality, so A is subjective and not a good summary.
• Option B: The passage focuses on the US's internal and external situation, neutrality benefits, not reflecting on being in conflict with others. So B is incorrect.
• Option C: The passage explains that neutrality (avoiding international disputes) is better, with points like trade benefits from neutrality and Union's strength. This matches the content.
• Option D: The passage isn't mainly about describing successes in agriculture, commerce, etc., but about the situation and neutrality's benefits. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. President Washington explains why being neutral is better than engaging in discouraging international disputes.