Foreign Affairs in The Young Nation

Chapter 12

12.1 Introduction
George Washington defined the nations first foreign policy (dealings with other nations). What do the seals stand for or symbolize? The seal of the Unites States: 1. Pyramid: represents strength and endurance. 2. Eagle: represents national power.

12.2 What Was the Foreign Policy Washington Created?

What Was the Condition of the New Nation? U.S. did not have an army. Why not? Feared a big, standing army, and didnt have the money for one. Nation was surrounded by unfriendly nations. U.S. had agreed to help France during the Revolutionary War if it were to get into a war.

What Was the Foreign Policy?

U.S. was not ready for war, especially w/ G.B. Washington adopts a policy of neutrality in regards to war between G.B. and France. U.S. would not take sides. What was the policy? The Policy: U.S. would not become entangled in the affairs of foreign nations. This policy is known as Isolationism.

Complaints Against the British (Dont write this)

The British were still occupying a number of forts on U.S. territory in the Great Lakes region (the Northwest Territory). The British were continually capturing and impressing American sailors into British service American merchants wanted compensation for 250 merchant ships that had been confiscated during 1793 through 1794. Southerners in the United States wanted monetary compensation for the slaves that the British Army had taken away from them during the Revolutionary War. Merchants in both America and in the Caribbean wanted the British West Indies to be reopened to American trade. The boundary with Canada was vague in many places, and needed to be delineated clearly. The British were believed to be aggravating Native-American attacks on settlers in the West.

12.3 Dilemma 1: What Should Adams Do to Protect American Ships?

What Was the Jay Treaty? Washington sends J. Jay to London to negotiate w/ the British. They agree to pull out troops from Ohio River Valley. How do you think the French felt about this? French view this as betrayal of the U.S. and seize 316 U.S. ships.

John Jay

British troops

British troops

British troops

What Was the XYZ Affair?

Adams sent representatives to meet with French Foreign Minister, who are met by 3 agents named X, Y, and Z. The agents demand money to meet with the minister. What do you think the U.S. said to that? U.S. refuses and prepares for war. Navy ships and privateers seize 80 French ships. Millions for defense, not a cent for tribute.

12.4 What Happened: Adams Pursues Peace

What Was the Peace Mission? Adams sent a peace mission to France. Who do you think was upset about that? This outraged the Federalists. Napoleon had taken over France and was eager to make peace with G.B. and U.S. and agreed to Adams terms.

What Happened To Adams Popularity and the Federalist Party?

The Federalists were furious with Adams for pursuing peace. Feds. were thrilled to be almost at war w/ France. What do you think happens to the Federalist Party? Adams loses his next election and the Federalist Party fades.

12.5 Dilemma 2: How Should Jefferson Deal with Pirates?

What Was Impressment? G.B. and France at war again in 1804. Both b/g seizing U.S. ships ( to stop the U.S. from supplying the enemy) and impressing (kidnapping and forcing to serve in the British navy) U.S. sailors. Britain claimed U.S. sailors were deserters. The British Leopard opened fire on the U.S. Chesapeake, killing 21 Americans.

HMS Leopard

USS Chesapeake

Who Were the Pirates?

Barbary States demanded tribute ($) for U.S. ships to enter the Mediterranean Sea. Guess how much the U.S. had been paying. Ruler of Tripoli declared war on U.S. when Jefferson stopped the tribute.
Barbary Coast

12.6 What Happened? How Did Jefferson Solve Half the Problem?
Who Were the Barbary Pirates? Jefferson sends a fleet to the Barbary Coast where a U.S. ship is captured. U.S. invades the Tripoli port and burns the ship. A year later they sign a peace treaty with Tripoli. In 1815, U.S. and European naval forces destroy the pirate bases.

Stephen Decatur

The Philadelphia

What Was Impressment and the Seizing Of Ships?

By 1815, G.B. and France seize over 1,500 U.S. ships. Jefferson proposes a trade embargo (no trade at all w/ foreign countries). Who do you think this really hurt? This hurt the U.S. far more than any foreign country. This was repealed after 2 years. G.B. and France continue seizing ships.