Civic Virtue-George Washington as the American Cincinnatus

Civic Virtue-George Washington as the American Cincinnatus

Objectives:

·         SWBAT define the term "civic virtue"

·         Students will be compare the civic virtue of Cincinnatus, a farmer and military leader during the Roman Republic and George Washington, a general in the Continental army, and first leader of the American Republic.

·         Students will nominate and give a rationale for a contemporary "American Cincinnatus."

Sources/Handouts that will be used for discussion/evaluation for this lesson:

·         Excerpts from George Washington's Resignation Address to the Continental Congress

[Annapolis, Md. 23 December 1783]

Review—Key Question (s):

·         Remind students that individuals in the Roman Republic prospered because of limited government and by being adaptable, obstinate, patriotic, and valorous (cf. February at a Glance Monthly Curriculum Guide Grade 3).

·         Why does a Republic require civic virtue to be successful?

"Calling of Cincinnatus from the Plow," Constantino Brumidi, U.S. Capitol Rotunda

Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus was called upon by a delegation from the Roman senate in 458 BC. He was plowing his small farm of three acres alongside the Tiber River and he was informed that the Senate called upon him to be dictator so that he could rid Rome of the threat of certain tribes to the east, the Aequians.

Cincinnatus turned to his wife Racilia and said, `We may not have enough food to live on this winter because we won't be able to sow our fields.' Despite the personal cost he performed his duty. He wore the regalia of a dictator but as a patriot he loyally assumed the responsibilities and duties that the Roman senate had placed upon him. Within 16 days he had accomplished the mission. He turned his back on power. The civic virtue of Cincinnatus suggested the Roman model of one who did not seek power, did not want power, and willingly gave up power.

The Founders believed that civic virtue was important to make a Republic function properly. Civic virtue means that people should put the common welfare above their own interests. By returning to his home, Cincinnatus showed that he valued being a citizen of Rome more than fame and personal power. He did not want to use his popularity to take power away from the duly elected representatives of the people.

“General George Washington Resigning His Commission,” John Trumbull, 1824, U.S. Capitol Rotunda

George Washington, similar to Cincinnatus was a farmer although he of course was a gentleman farmer. Washington gave up power by resigning his war commission and thereafter by not clinging to the power and trappings of a monarch.

Excerpts from George Washington's Resignation Address to the Continental Congress

[Annapolis, Md. 23 December 1783]

“Mr. President
The great events on which my resignation depended having at length taken place; I have now the honor of offering my sincere Congratulations to Congress & of presenting myself before them to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of retiring from the Service of my Country.

Happy in the confirmation of our Independence and Sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded the United States of becoming a respectable Nation, I resign with satisfaction the Appointment I accepted with diffidence—A diffidence in my abilities to accomplish so arduous a task, which however was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude of our Cause, the support of the Supreme Power of the Union, and the patronage of Heaven.

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action—and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.”

Suggested Key Discussion Points/Questions:

·         Why did Washington say that he was resigning? (His duty was at an end; the nation was independent and sovereign).

·         What did he mean when he said that he accepted his appointment (to be the nation's first president) with "diffidence"? (He was reticent to accept since the task was so difficult).

·         How was he able to overcome that feeling? (The cause was just, the colonies were united, and Heaven favored the result).

·         What are the words of Washington's speech that would move his audience? (Various answers: great events, honor, congratulations, trust, removed himself from power, sovereign and independent nation, just cause, power of union, patronage of heaven, farewell, no public seizure or retention of power).

·         What quotes could have been made by Cincinnatus? (Various: but the key analogy is that neither of these individuals sought personal power or gain but voluntarily gave up power). 

·         What is the message that Washington leaves to the country as a whole? (Similar to Cincinnatus civic virtue requires that citizens do their duty but not unnecessarily retain public acclaim or power).

When asked to preside over the Constitutional Convention in 1789, he went reluctantly, since he did not want to leave his wife and treasured Mount Vernon property. When it was obvious in 1787 that he would be the first President he demurred taking power but out of patriotic duty he reluctantly took up the post for a first, and then a second term. At the time not codified in law Washington set the precedent that the Chief Executive would not serve more than two terms. His selfless actions were seen as showing respect for the embryonic American Republic. Washington’s altruism appealed to the new American citizenry.

Follow-up/Assessment Questions:

·         Who might be considered today's American Cincinnatus? (Various: but students may identify that there is a lack of civic virtue today, as opposed to the exemplary actions of Cincinnatus and Washington).

·         Which form of government, a democracy or a republic, more easily turns to tyranny? Why? (Students should identify weaknesses of democracy, power struggles, individuals who seize and retain power, majorities who persecute minorities, demagoguery: Republics have constitutional limits in place, checks and balances, and individuals who exercise civic virtue).  

·         In the future, who may demonstrate civic virtue? (Various: but students may decide that they themselves could demonstrate civic virtue by their individual choices just like Cincinnatus and Washington).