Dealing With Other Nations

American leaders used diplomacy rather than force in dealings with

other nations.

How would you feel if other nations owned areas of the current United

States?

As a newcomer to world politics, the United States in the 1790s was weak compared to the powerful European nations-England, France, and Spain. The United States had only a small army and NO navy. It had to work hard to gain the respect of other countries.The United States was not strong enough to get involved in world conflicts. It found other ways to solve conflicts with other nations that challenged it both in North America and overseas.

Conflicts in the Northwest Territory

The Treaty of Paris in 1783 was supposed to settle arguments about the land west of the Appalachian Mountains. On paper, the land belonged to the U.S.-in the 1790s, however, Great Britain still had forts in the Great lakes and Ohio Valley regions. They continued to trade with the Native Americans and stir trouble between the Indians and American settlers. This caused many outbreaks of violence and several battles between the Native Americans and Washington’s army. Later, the Native Americans were forced to leave this region.

Pirates in the Mediterranean

Americans trading abroad met a different enemy. In the Mediterranean Sea, traders faced the states of the Barbary Coast of North Africa-Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. Pirates stole cargoes, seized American ships, and imprisoned American sailors. The Barbary pirates ignored the protests of the United States, knowing it was powerless without a navy. To sail safely, the U.S. had to pay, tribute, or protection money, to local rulers.

Spain Controls the Mississippi

Spain held the Louisiana territory, located west of the Mississippi River. Spain had gained this territory after the French and Indian war. For years, Spain and America argued over the boundaries and America’s rights to the Mississippi River. (Port of New Orleans) This route was especially important for those people living west of the Appalachian Mountains. They shipped their crops by flatboat down the Mississippi. Spanish officials often made trouble with foreigners in Louisiana.

Washington Chooses Neutrality

The most serious challenge from abroad came with the beginning of the French Revolution. In 1789 many French people rebelled against the high taxes and oppressive rule of the monarchy and set up a republic. Over several years of fighting, the King and Queen of France, and many aristocrats were arrested and beheaded on the guillotine.Many of the other rulers around Europe were worried the ideas and violence would spill out of France. In 1793, Great Britain and several other nations with monarchs went to war with France.France called on the U.S. to abide by its Treaty of Alliance of 1778, the two nations would protect each other if attacked. What would you have done? Washington chose the idea of neutrality.

Washington Makes a Decision

Washington decided to recognize the new French Republic. He explained to the French, however, that the Treaty of Alliance1778 had been with King Louis XVI, who had been executed. The United States had NO treaty with the new government. In 1793, Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, stating the the United States would continue to trade with both the English and the French. He declared the U.S. would be “friendly and impartial.”

NEUTRALITY

Late in 1793 the British government passed a series of laws seizing American ships.

Agreement with Britain

The British ships not only stopped American ships, they also impressed, or kidnapped, American sailors to serve in the British Navy. The British claimed that these sailors were really British citizens who had jumped ship to move from Britain to America.The President’s principle advisors, Jefferson and Hamilton, disagreed (As Usual) on how to handle England. Jefferson wanted to ban English goods, but Hamilton wanted to send an ambassador to England. Chief Justice John Jay led the mission.

The Jay Treaty1. Britain agreed to withdraw from its forts in the Ohio Valley.2. Opened trade again with the West Indies.3. Settled on boundaries between Canada and America.4. NO stoppage of seizing American ships or kidnapping sailors!

Washington Leaves Office

During Washington’s two terms of office, he established a firm foundation for the national government. He made the Presidency a stronger office than it was expected. By NOT seeking re-election in 1796-he set a standard. His departing words were to guide future leaders. He urged them to be independent in dealing with other nations. Washington continued to caution against becoming un-unified. (Political Parties were making a real rift between the Northern and Southern interests of the United States.)

“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; -so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it…”

Political Parties Develop

When George Washington first took office for his first term, the country had NO political parties. By the end of his second term that had changed. He worried that the countries unity would be threatened by leaders with differing views. He feared these differences would split the nation. (Remember, his closest advisors was Jefferson and Hamilton, two men who hated each other; one northern businessman and the southern farmer)On most issues, Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed too sharply for any kind of compromise. Even before Washington’s second term, their followers had split to form two groups. The group led by Hamilton-which supported MOST of the decisions made by the government, were known as the Federalists. Jefferson and James Madison led the opposition group known as the Democratic-Republicans (sometimes called the republicans, but NOT related to the modern republican party)

The First Parties

The Federalist and the Democratic-Republicans were the nation’s first political parties. A political party is a group of people with similar ideas and beliefs about government. The members of a political party usually agree on the way to run the government and the policies that should be carried out. Members of the political party work together to get their leaders elected and to influence governments decisions.

The Constitution made NO provisions for political parties. The framers hoped the parties would NOT form…During the fight for the ratification of the Constitution, those who favored a central government-known as the Federalist.

Differences Between the First Political Parties

Federalists Democratic-Republicans

Leader:

Alexander Hamilton

Leader:

Thomas Jefferson

Favored

*Rule by the wealthy and educated class.

*Strong federal government.

*Emphasis on manufacturing and trade products.

Loose interpretation of the Constitution (Loved Elastic Clause)

*Pro-British, anti-French.

National Bank

Favored

*Rule by the people.

*Strong state governments.

*Emphasis on agricultural products.

*Strict interpretation of the Constitution.

*Pro-French, anti-British actions.

*State Banks.

*Free Trade.

Hamilton and Jefferson represented the beliefs of opposition parties. Which would have supported the Treaty of Alliance with France?