Why did George Washington feel that citizens should give their loyalty to the nation as a whole?

George Washington believed that citizens should give their loyalty to the country as a whole. George Washington understood that if people were loyal only to their state or region, problems would develop. He believed that people needed to understand that in a country there are going to be times when actions that are good for the country as a whole may actually harm a state or a region. He knew that decisions had to be...

George Washington believed that citizens should give their loyalty to the country as a whole. George Washington understood that if people were loyal only to their state or region, problems would develop. He believed that people needed to understand that in a country there are going to be times when actions that are good for the country as a whole may actually harm a state or a region. He knew that decisions had to be made in the best interest of the country.

George Washington also feared what would happen if people made decisions based only on the interests of a state or a region. He believed this would lead to constant squabbles and would slow the progress of the country. He believed this could threaten the existence of the United States if people were more focused on their state or their region instead of being focused on the country as a whole. The success of the country depended on a wider, national view of events.