During the Newburg Affair, what action did Washington take?

• A. He supported the officers' plan to threaten Congress
• B. He fled the capital
• C. He intercepted the group and warned that such action would betray the gains of the war
• D. He ignored the group

Answer: (C)

The key idea here is how Washington used personal leadership to avert a potential military threat and preserve civilian control of government. During the Newburgh Affair, he intercepted the officers’ group and spoke to them directly, appealing to their sense of duty and the consequences of their actions. He warned that mutiny or coercion would betray the hard-won gains of the war and harm the infant republic they had fought to defend. By engaging them, appealing to reason and honor, and dissuading them from taking drastic steps, he defused the crisis without violence and without leading a collapse of civil authority.

This approach contrasts with the other options because Washington did not back an intimidation tactic against Congress, he did not flee the capital, and he did not ignore the group. Instead, his decisive, principled intervention helped maintain unity and the legitimacy of the new government, setting a powerful precedent for civilian leadership over the military.