Early Republic Foreign Policy

• Washington– 1789 French Revolution

begins, Americans split– 1793- Neutrality

Proclamation (Britain and France at war)

– 1794- Jay Treaty, no war with Britain, they must leave their forts, we repay old debt

– 1794- Treaty of Greenville, Natives give up Ohio, opening Northwest territory

– 1795- Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain gives us access to New Orleans

• Adams– 1796 XYZ Affair, French mad

about Jay’s treaty seized American ships and refused to negotiate with out a payment

– 1798-unauthorized naval war with France

– 1798 Alien and Sedition Acts, more difficult to become a citizen, jail or fine for speaking out against gov’t

• Anti-federalist respond with Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions- attempt for states to nullify federal law

Early Republic Foreign Policy

• Jefferson– 1803- Louisiana Purchase

• $15 million• From France (Napoleon)• Doubled size of U.S.• Feared it was

unconstitutional (strict)1807-Chesapeake- British

attack American warship (Impressments)

1807- Embargo Act- to avoid war with Britain, stopped all trade, backfired

• Madison– War of 1812… to be

discussed later in detail!

• A Peaceful Transfer of Power

• Election of 1800- Jeffersonian Republicans v Federalist

• Arron Burr- the Famous Duel