US Expansion and Foreign Policy 1817-1823: Treaties and the Monroe Doctrine

This treaty was established in $1817$ specifically to limit the United States Navy on the Great Lakes.
The primary rationale behind this limitation was to avoid appearing aggressive toward Canada and/or Britain.
The treaty specifies that the United States cannot maintain a navy on any of the Great Lakes; however, the water remains accessible for other purposes such as fishing.
Discussion regarding the Great Lakes:
    - There are $5$ Great Lakes in total: Erie, Michigan, Huron, Superior, and Ontario.
    - A common personal goal mentioned is to touch the water of each lake, despite them being notably cold.
    - Comparison of visits: Some individuals have been to $3$ lakes, while others have been to $2$ .
    - Lake Michigan and Lake Superior are described as massive in scale.

This treaty was written by John Quincy Adams, marking his first significant mention in this historical context.
Anecdote regarding John Quincy Adams' appearance:
- He is described as resembling certain animals, specifically a frog or a spider monkey (the variety with puffed-out fur on the sides of the head).
Provisions of the Treaty of 1818:
    - It allows Americans to share the Newfoundland fisheries with Canada, located on the far North Coast.
    - It establishes a joint occupation of Oregon for a duration of $10$ years.
    - The joint occupation involves both the United States and Britain. While Russia and Spain also had presence in the area, the treaty specifically governed the rights of British and American citizens living there.
    - It established the contiguous northern border between the United States and Canada.
Discussion on borders and geography:
- The borders in the Great Lakes region are noted for being confusing, often weaving around islands and through different time zones.
- Reference is made to the television show "How the States Got Their Shapes," which explores why some borders are straight (like Kansas or segments of Colorado and Florida) and others follow natural markers like rivers.

Context of the era: Revolutions were occurring across South America simultaneously with the First Seminole Wars.
Conflict in Florida:
    - Native Americans were revolting in Florida.
    - President Monroe commissioned General Andrew Jackson to go south to suppress these rebellions.
    - Jackson's objective was to punish the Indians and recapture individuals who were hiding in Spanish Florida.
    - During this mission, Jackson pursued the Seminoles across the border into Spanish-owned territory, causing a direct conflict between the United States and Spain.
The Adams Onus Treaty (also known as the Florida Purchase Treaty):
    - Resulted from the conflict sparked by Jackson's pursuit.
    - Spain agreed to give Florida and Oregon to the United States.
    - In exchange, the United States gave Texas to Spain.
    - This geopolitical shift is significant as it set the stage for the Mexican-American War discussed in later curricula.
    - It is frequently referred to as the Florida Purchase Treaty because the U.S. essentially "purchased" Florida by trading Texas.
    - This period relates to the often-misinterpreted history of the Battle of the Alamo.

The Monroe Doctrine is identified as a major turning point in American history, changing the nation's direction and setting a precedent for foreign policy that lasted until World War I.
European perspective on Democracy:
- European nations viewed democracy as a "little experiment" in the New World and a threat to their non-democratic systems.
- Americans were concerned about the proximity of European colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
Authorship and Content:
    - Although named after the President, the document was written by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams.
    - The doctrine contains several core mandates:
        - European nations must stay out of the business of the Western Hemisphere.
        - The United States will remain neutral in European affairs.
        - The U.S. would not interfere with existing European colonies, but would not permit further expansion or colonization.
        - A clear message of "Stay out of our business, and we will stay out of yours."
Enforcement and Legacy:
    - At the time of its issuance, the United States likely lacked the military power to enforce the doctrine.
    - Despite this, Britain generally respected the statement.
    - European nations largely backed off from conflict because they were "tired of war" following previous extensive conflicts.
    - The doctrine succeeded as a bold statement that other nations chose to believe regardless of the U.S. military's actual capacity to back it up.

Question Regarding Navies on Great Lakes: A student asked if the navy was barred from all the Great Lakes and if people could still use them for fishing.
- Response: They could not have a navy on any of them, but they could absolutely fish in them.
Great Lakes Enumeration: Discussion ensued about the exact number of lakes and which ones had been visited.
- Participants: Mentioned having been to three or two lakes (Michigan, Superior, Erie). One participant forgot Lake Huron until prompted.
State Shapes: A question was asked about whether state borders were just random.
- Response: Some follow natural markers like rivers, while others are straight lines which some people prefer for their organized appearance.
Territory Exchange in Adams Onus Treaty: Clarification was sought on who got what.
- Response: The United States received Florida and Oregon. Spain received Texas.