(bright gentle music) - [Narrator] How did George Washington's Farewell Address reshape America?

Washington could have stayed in office indefinitely, but he chose to step down after only two terms.

After decades of public service, Washington set a precedent for a peaceful transfer of power before returning home to Mount Vernon.

Many citizens worried the country would be torn apart without his leadership, so he directly addressed the nation in the Philadelphia Newspaper.

He called for unity, a balanced budget, an informed public and more, but he also warned against threats to democracy.

He believed partisanship made a nation distracted and weak, creating a spirit of revenge as party power swung back and forth each election, allowing foreign exploitation of party passions.

There wouldn't be an official two-term limit until 1951 when the 22nd Amendment was ratified, but Washington's farewell decision would shape American politics forever.