Foreign Affairs in the Young Nation

Foreign Affairs in the Young Nation

Guidelines for how a country handles political and economic interactions with other countries. Current Examples: North Korea Cuba

When Washington took office in 1789, America was weak No Army Government did not have money Americans believed a standing army could be used to take away their liberty. State militias could handle any threats to the U.S.

French Revolution Most Americans happy about France becoming a republic France goes to war with Britain 1793 Causes issues with United States

During the American Revolution, the U.S. signed a treaty of alliance with France Agreements made with other nations to aid and support each other. In the treaty, the U.S. promised to aid France in time of war

Washington knew the U.S. was not prepared for war. Announced a policy of neutrality A policy of not choosing sides in a war or dispute between other countries. The U.S. would do nothing to aid France or Britain in their war with each other.

In his farewell address, Washington said that the U.S. could gain nothing by becoming involved in other nations affairs (problems). Washington s policy of avoiding alliances with other countries became known as isolationism. A policy of avoiding political or military agreements with other countries. First in War, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.

The Jay Treaty Britain refused to leave the Ohio Valley France hoped it would lead to the U.S. going to war again with England Chief Justice John Jay Sent to London to settle with British British agreed to leave Ohio Valley France upset Saw agreement as betrayal July 1796, French navy began attacking American ships bound for Britain In one year, France seized 316 American ships

The XYZ Affair President Adams sends representatives to France to end the attacks. French Foreign Minister Talleyrand refused to see the representatives Instead, three secret agents, known only as X, Y, and Z met with the American representatives The agents said no peace talks would happen unless Talleyrand received a large sum of money as a tribute A payment of money as the price of protection (think of the Mafia)

XYZ Affair outraged American citizens Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute! America prepares for war Congress voted to recruit 10,000 men & voted to build 12 new ships Congress authorizes American warships & private warships (privateers) to launch a half war on the seas. During the undeclared war, more than 80 armed French vessels are captured.

Adams knew war would not be good for the country. 1799 sent peace mission to France Federalists not happy Napoleon now in control of France Eager to make peace Already ordered an end to the seizure of American ships and release of captured American sailors Most importantly, agreed to end alliance with U.S. In exchange, Americans did not ask France for all the seized ships.

The U.S. government would have to pay for all the ships France seized. To Adams, this seemed a small price to pay for peace. Adams decision cost him reelection in 1800. Adams left the nation at peace with no permanent alliances that might drag the U.S. into war.

Peace with France did not last long 1803 - France and Britain at war again Both countries seizing American trade ships England has become a den of pirates and France has become a den of thieves. Jefferson

Britain began impressing American sailors from seized ships & forcing them to serve in the British navy Impressing = kidnapping Claimed they were British deserters Anger peaked in 1807 British warship, the Leopard stopped the American warship, the Chesapeake to search for deserters Chesapeake refused to let them onboard Leopard opened fire on Chesapeake 21 American sailors killed

Barbary States North Africa See map on next slide & page 166 in textbook Mediterranean Sea Morocco Algiers Tunis Tripoli

Pirates preyed on merchant ships entering the Mediterranean Sea Seized ships and held crews for ransom Washington & Adams both paid tribute to the rulers of the Barbary States in exchange for safety of American ships This was kept quiet from the American people (remember America s reaction to the XYZ Affair) By the time Jefferson became president, U.S. had paid almost $2 million

The ruler of Tripoli demanded more money in tribute To show he was serious, Tripoli declared war on the U.S.

Jefferson hated war Hated paying tribute even more 1802 sent small fleet of warships into Mediterranean to protect American shipping 1804 American ships began bombarding Tripoli with cannons The American ship, Philadelphia, ran aground and the captain & crew captured and held for ransom.

Stephan Decatur Young American naval officer Led a raiding party into the heavily guarded Tripoli harbor and set the ship Philadelphia on fire. One year later, Tripoli signed a peace treaty agreeing to stop demanding tribute payments. In return, the U.S. paid $60,000 ransom for the crew of the Philadelphia Tripoli originally wanted $3 million

Piracy from other Barbary States continued. 1815 American and European naval forces finally destroyed the pirate bases

Jefferson tried to convince both France & Britain to leave American ships alone. Failed Between 1803-1807 Britain seized ~1000 ships France seized ~500 ships

Jefferson proposed an embargo A complete halt in trade with other nations Embargo Act of 1807 No foreign ships could enter U.S. ports, and no American ships could leave, except to trade at other U.S. ports. Jefferson hoped this would hurt France & Britain Hurt the American trade instead 55,000 sailors lost their jobs Congress repealed (cancelled) the Act. France & Britain continued to attack U.S. ships

President James Madison took office in 1809 Offered France & Britain a deal: If they agree to stop attacking American ships, the U.S. will stop trading with their enemies. Napoleon agreed to offer At the same time, he also ordered his navy to continue seizing American ships headed for British ports. Madison ordered trade to be cut off with Britain

Britain continued seizing American ships & impressing sailors Madison considered going to war with Britain Merchants in New England knew war would cause a blockade of their ports by the British navy A closing off of an area to keep people or supplies from going in or out. Britain was also accused of stirring up trouble among the Native Americans in the Northwest.

Problems with Indians growing as settlers moved into the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys Chief Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet Shawnee Indians United Native Americans up & down the Mississippi River into one Indian nation Battle of Tippecanoe Creek Tecumseh & his warriors fight Indiana governor William Henry Harrison & militia November 7, 1811 After the battle, Harrison found British guns on battlefield. Fueled the War Hawks: Congressmen wanting to go to war with Britain

Madison abandons isolationism Congress declared war on Britain July 17, 1812 Bold move: U.S. has army of 7,000 poorly trained men and a navy of only 16 ships

Conquering Canada War Hawks thought it would be easy, it wasn t U.S. was turned back in 1812, 1813, & 1814 By 1814, Napoleon was defeated so the British was able to send 15,000 troops to Canada Fight for Canada ended British attacks Washington August 1814 Capital & White House burned down Madison escapes

British attacks Baltimore September 13, 1814 American lawyer Francis Scott Key watched the British attack Fort McHenry throughout the night In the morning, he saw the American flag still waving Wrote a poem later put to music The Star-Spangled Banner British lost battle

The Battle of New Orleans The city defended by General Andrew Jackson & militia of 7,000 January 8, 1815 7,500 British troops marched into battle Casualties: Americans: 20 British: 2,000 Unnecessary battle Two weeks earlier a peace treaty was signed

Both sides claimed victory Neither side really won Treaty of Ghent Settled none of the issues that lead into the war Issues of ship seizures and impressment faded away as peace came to Europe

The Results of the War Indian resistance faded after the death of Tecumseh National pride surged Second war for independence Federalist party badly damaged by their opposition to the war Two war heroes will later become president: William Henry Harrison Andrew Jackson

James Monroe becomes president in 1817. Returning nation to isolationism Focusing on areas around America

Latin America s Revolutions Mexico Revolts against Spain Inspired by Miguel Hidalgo, priest Mexico won independence from Spain 1821 By the end of 1825, Spain was driven out of South America

The New Latin American Nations British supported the revolutions Spain never allowed trade Now the new nations open to foreign trade Some European countries not pleased and willing to help Spain recover Latin America Britain asked U.S. to join in sending a message to all to leave Latin America alone

John Quincy Adams Secretary of State Told Monroe it would be better for the U.S. to speak for itself Not joined with Britain The Monroe Doctrine 1823 Speech made by Monroe to Congress Stated that the nations of North & South America were not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers Simply: North & South America are hands-off!

In the years ahead, the Monroe Doctrine joined isolationism as the basic principle of U.S. foreign policy. It asserted that the U.S. would not accept European interference in American affairs. It also told the world that the U.S. is no longer a weak collection of colonies/states and is now strong and confident to be respected by the world.