AlishaMehdi

October2,2016
History7A
Lubisich

DocumentInterpretation4

IntheProclamationofNeutrality,writtenin1793,GeorgeWashingtonproceeds
tostatehisneutralityintheconflictbetweenFranceandGreatBritain.Themajor
belligerentsintheEuropeanwarwereGreatBritainandFrance.Theothercountries
involvedwereAustria,Prussia,Sardinia,andtheUnitedNetherlands.Themainpointof
thisproclamationwasforhimtoemphasizetheimportanceoftheUnitedStateslackof
involvementinthiswarbetweenEuropeanpowers.Hehadagoodreasonforrefusingto
aideAmericanswhodidchoosetohelpcertainpowers.HewantedtomakesureAmerica
remainedimpartialinthewar,becauseifanyAmericanswerefoundhelpingcertain
people,allofAmericawouldbeaccusedofchoosingsides.Thiswouldresultinmore
uproarandWashingtonwantedtoavoidthis.However,regardlessoftheinaction,the
UnitedStatesopposingpoliticalviewsbecamemoreandmoreapparent.The
JeffersonianRepublicansbelievedFrancewasright.Theywereverystrictaboutwhat
waspreciselywrittenintheConstitution,theydidnotadherewithanyloose
interpretations.However,theyalsobelievedthatpeopledeservedrightsandtheyshould
allberepresented.TheHamiltonFederalistsontheotherhandwereonGreatBritains
side.Theybelievedastrongcentralgovernmentwasthebestoption,meaningthe
governmentwouldhavealotofpower.Theydidnotappreciateoradmiretheoutcomes
oftheFrenchrevolution,whereastheJeffersonianRepublicansdidrespecttherevolution.
SincetheyU.S.hadsuchdifferingopinions,Washingtonschoicetostayneutralreceived

alotofcriticism.HereceivedevenmorecriticismwhenJohnJaywassentwithatreaty
toEngland.ThetreatywasmeanttocutsometieswithEnglandandestablishsomesort
ofpeace.However,HamiltonnotifiedGreatBritainthattheU.S.wasnotverystrongand
unified.ThetreatywasnotacceptedthenandWashingtonandtheU.S.facedalotof
criticismandbacklash.Whenthetreatywasacceptedlateron,thereweremany
consequencessurroundingtherelationshipsbetweentheU.S.andforeignpowers,
specificallyFrance.