Section 2: Foreign Affairs Trouble the Nation

The French Revolution

• As the US govt. was taking shape, the French govt. was in the throes of a violent revolution

• The US supported the French Revolution at first (same democratic ideas of liberty and equality)

• The Reign of Terror led to a loss in support of the French Revolution

France Declares War on Britain

Which side should the U.S. take?

The US had a treaty with France (American Revolution)

Jefferson supported France Hamilton supported Britain

Washington and Adams want to remain neutral

British Violate Treaty of Paris

• British still maintained forts in the Northwest, technically violating 1783 the Treaty of Paris

• As settlers moved west, conflicts erupted between Native Americans

Jay’s Treaty

• 1794-95

Washington dispatched John Jay to England due to unresolved issues from the Revolution and the seizing of US ships and soldiers (impressment) 

jays treaty results-

• Britain removed forts from NW territory

• Britain would stop attacking US ships at sea and also pay reparations for damages

• Britain would be the “most favored nation” as far as trade

• US govt. would pay pre-Revolutionary war debts

• Prevented war with Britain

Pinckney’s Treaty

• 1795

• AKA Treaty of San Lorenzo

• Spain feared a strong US/British alliance

• Spain gave up claims to land east of the Mississippi River (except Florida)

Washington Retires

• Increasing conflicts between political parties

• Washington retires after two terms and establishes precedent 

• Warns against the dangers of party politics in his Farewell Address

John Adams Elected President

• The 1796 election underscored the danger of sectionalism: placing the interests of one region over the nation as a whole

• Adams narrowly beat Thomas Jefferson (who became VP)

• Adams was a Federalist and kept the U.S. out of the European conflict

• One-term president

• Quasi-War with France

• sectionalism:

• placing the interests of one region over the nation as a whole

Quasi-War with France

• The US and France fought an undeclared war between 1798-1800 that took place on the high seas

• Led to the strengthening of the US Navy

XYZ Affair

• American delegation was supposed to meet with French foreign minister Talleyrand, but the Directory sent 3 low-level officials instead

• The three men (X, Y, Z) demanded $250,000 in exchange for a meeting with Talleyrand

• When news of this insult reached America, it sparked a wave of anti-French sentiment

Alien and Sedition Acts

• Extended the time needed for an immigrant to become a citizen 

• President could jail or deport “undesirables”

• Allowed the government to punish anyone whose words or actions were considered dangerous (DRs were targeted)

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

• Madison and Jefferson believed the Alien and Sedition acts were a violation of free speech and an abuse of power

The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions argued that states could nullify national laws if they disagreed with it

George Washington’s Death

On December 14, 1799 George Washington died from a severe cold in his home at Mount Vernon, VA at the age of 67