The United States and Foreign Policy

Who are our friends?Who are our enemies?

The French Revolution (1789-1799)

The French Revolution (1789-1799)

Enlightenment - age of reason

Lower classes paying high taxes

Overthrow of King Louis XVI

Reign of TerrorConstitution written

Enlightenment - age of reason

Lower classes paying high taxes

Overthrow of King Louis XVI

Reign of TerrorConstitution written

1. What position did the United

States take during the French Revolution?

Division in the U.S. Gov’t.

Division in the U.S. Gov’t.

JeffersonSupported revolution but condemned executions

Violence could be used to win freedom

JeffersonSupported revolution but condemned executions

Violence could be used to win freedom

Adams, HamiltonDenounced the revolution

Democracy cannot be created through widespread violence

Adams, HamiltonDenounced the revolution

Democracy cannot be created through widespread violence

Which side to take?Which side to take?

France, England, Spain, and Russia all involved with wars

France had been our ally during the American Revolution

France wanted to use American ports to launch attacks on British ships

U.S. already had a treaty with France, but could it remain neutral?????

France, England, Spain, and Russia all involved with wars

France had been our ally during the American Revolution

France wanted to use American ports to launch attacks on British ships

U.S. already had a treaty with France, but could it remain neutral?????

Neutrality ProclamationNeutrality

ProclamationNeutral - not taking sides in a conflict

Easier said than done.Americans wanted to trade with both countries.

Both countries seized American ships heading toward the other’s ports.

Neutral - not taking sides in a conflict

Easier said than done.Americans wanted to trade with both countries.

Both countries seized American ships heading toward the other’s ports.

2. What was Jay’s Treaty and why were people upset with

it?

Jay’s Treaty (1795)Jay’s Treaty (1795)

John Jay - Supreme Court chief justice

Sent to EnglandEngland would pay damages

U.S. would pay debts

Did nothing to protect neutral ships

John Jay - Supreme Court chief justice

Sent to EnglandEngland would pay damages

U.S. would pay debts

Did nothing to protect neutral ships

3. What effect did Washington’s

Farewell Address have on future foreign policy?

Farewell Address, 1796Farewell Address, 1796

“Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign World…The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is…to have with them as little political connection as possible.”

“Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign World…The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations is…to have with them as little political connection as possible.”

His advice guided foreign policy for

many years.

His advice guided foreign policy for

many years.