Name: ______________________________________________
NB #11
Foreign Policy under
Washington and the Adams Administration
Reactions to the French Revolution
Initially
 Most Americans initially support, inspired by the ideal of republican rule
 Treaty of 1788 from Revolutionary War had created a bond between the two countries
After Jacobins seize power, execute Louis XVI, and declare war on monarchies (esp. Britain)
 Democratic-Republicans tended to want to honor treaty and support France
 Federalists tended to want to back the British
 Washington’s course: policy of neutrality
Citizen Genêt affair
 French diplomat Edmond Genêt travels to U.S. and instead of meeting with the Washington administration,
he begins trying to recruit Americans directly for the war
 Washington demands France recall Genêt, but his party had fallen from power
o Genêt stays in U.S. and become a citizen
 Jefferson is attacked as a radical by Federalists and resigns from the cabinet in 1793
How did the French Revolution demonstrate division within the United States?

Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain in 1795
Issues with Spain
 Disputed land claims regarding land east of the Mississippi River
 Tensions regarding the U.S. having access to trade through the port of New Orleans
Resolution with Spain
 Spain had made a treaty with France during its war on monarchies
o feared Britain and the U.S. might launch a joint action against the Spanish-controlled Louisiana
Territory
o agrees to meet with Thomas Pinckney -- U.S. minister to Britain
 Pinckney’s Treaty or the Treaty of San Lorenzo
o Spain gives up its claims east of the Mississippi River (except Florida)
o 31st Parallel is southern boundary of U.S. / northern boundary of Sp. Florida
o U.S. traders have open access to the port of New Orleans
How did Pinckney’s Treaty help the United States and demonstrate its potential strength?

Issues in the Ohio Valley / “Old Northwest”
British Forts
 Britain still maintained forts in the Northwest Territory
o Violation of Treaty of Paris of 1783 (ended Revolutionary War)
Conflicts with Native Americans
 Native Americans demanded direct negotiations with U.S. government
 British encourage resistance by Native Americans
U.S. tries to seize control
 First army sent out by Washington defeated in 1790 by a confederacy of Native American tribes led by
Little Turtle, chieftain of the Miami tribe
o Little Turtle then thoroughly defeats another army in 1791
 Washington appoints General Anthony Wayne to lead federal troops
o “Mad Anthony” trains his troops for a year in the west
o Little Turtle then urges peace and is replaced
 Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)
o Wayne decisively defeats the Miami Confederacy
o Builds fort within miles of British Fort Miami
o Miami Confederacy signs the Treaty of Greenville
 Give up most of Ohio in return for $20,000 in goods and $10,000 per year
How did the issues in the Ohio Valley point to additional conflicts outside the area and in the future?

Jay’s Treaty with Britain in 1794
Issues
 Britain still maintained forts in the Northwest Territory and aided Native Americans
 Britain had seized nearly 250 American trade ships during its war with France
o Britain had captured many U.S. sailors and forced them to work for Britain – impressment
 Issues regarding debts from Revolution (to British merchants and American slave owners)
 Issues regarding open trade between U.S., Britain, and British lands in the Caribbean
Reasons for Resolution
 Britain wanted to keep U.S. from allying with France again in its war with Britain
 News of Wayne’s victory in the Battle of Fallen Timbers
 Britain agrees to meet with U.S. Chief Justice John Jay
Terms of the Treaty
 Britain would evacuate its forts in U.S. territory
 Britain must compensate American traders for lost goods
 Britain does not have to compensate for lost slaves
 U.S. gains limited trade access to the Caribbean
 U.S. must repay British merchants for debts from the Revolutionary War
 U.S. agrees to favored nation trading status with Britain, bypassing France
Reaction to the Treaty
 Treaty is unpopular with large parts of the nation – U.S. appears to have given up too much
 Jefferson and Madison angered by favoritism toward Britain use to drum up support for DemocraticRepublicans
o This is one of the first national issues of campaign divide between the Federalists and DemocraticRepublicans
 John Jay retires as Chief Justice after being scolded throughout the country
 Treaty is passed after bitter debate
What issues did Jay’s Treaty attempt to solve?

What appears to be the legacy of Jay’s Treaty?

Election of 1796
Background
 Washington will not run for third term
 Federalists were dominant party, but hurt by unpopularity of Jay’s Treaty
 Republicans hurt by supporting actions of French ambassador
Republican Candidates
 Jefferson was uncontested candidate, Aaron Burr (NY Senator) as VP
Federalist Candidates
 Hamilton was strongest Federalist, but had too many enemies
 Washington’s VP, John Adams, chosen as nominee
 Thomas Pinckney of SC chosen as running mate
 Hamilton and many southerners support Pinckney over Adams
Jumbled Results of 1796
 Electoral College originally worked that person that received most votes would become president and
the person that came in second would become vice-president
o Founders when writing the Constitution did not originally envision people running as political
parties
 Federalists split regionally, with Adams receiving most electoral votes
 Jefferson receives second most votes due to non-votes for Pinckney
 Federalist Adams becomes president and Republican Jefferson the VP
 Last/only presidential victory for Federalists
What makes the Presidential Election of 1796 unique?

Quasi War with France
Background
 US relations worsen with revolutionary France
 France captures US trade ships and crews
 France refuses Federalist Charles Pinckney as US representative
 Some push for war, but Adams decides to negotiate
XYZ Affair
 Bipartisan commission sent to France (Federalists C. Pinckney and John Marshall and Republican
Elbridge Gerry)
 Three French agents of foreign minister Prince Talleyrand demand loan for France and personal bribe
 Pinckney refuses and Adams begins urging for war
 French officials referred to as Messrs. X, Y, and Z in published report which gains support for war
o VIDEO ---- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyuZRcxpCKM
Quasi War
 US fights a form of undeclared war against France
 US cuts of trade and treaties from 1778
 Creation of Dept. of Navy and building of warships
 US captures 85 French ships and cooperates with Britain
Conclusion
 France wants to negotiate under new leader, Napoleon
 Ends “perpetual” alliance with France from 1778
 Establishes new trade relations with France
 Federalists strengthened in Congress due to support of war
What are the major elements of the legacy of the XYZ Affair and the Quasi War?

Partisan and Nullification Conflicts
Background
 Now stronger, Federalists want to lessen opposition by Republicans
Alien Act
 Increased time for naturalization for citizenship
 Authorizes president to depose dangerous aliens or those whose country the US is at war with
 Adams never deports any aliens, but immigration is discouraged and some foreigners leave US
Sedition Act
 Government can prosecute those committing “sedition” (libelous or treasonous activities -- "false,
scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government)
 Republicans view as attempt to stifle any opposition
 No major effort made against Republicans, but 10 men convicted (most were Republican newspaper
owners)
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
 Republican leaders hope to counter Alien and Sedition Acts through state legislatures
 Argues these powers against 10th Amendment
 Jefferson drafts KY Resolution and Madison the VA Resolution
 Claim ability of states to nullify federal laws (Nullification and Interposition)
 Adopted by both states, but unable to win national support
Consequences
 Nation becomes deeply politically divided
 Fight in House of Reps between Roger Griswold (CT (F) cane) Matthew Lyon (VT (R) tongs)
 Election of 1800 will be bitter, divisive, dirty, and campaigned
o VIDEO -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guurFhe4pZ8
What appear to be the major challenges to American ideals present in the Alien and Sedition Acts?

What major challenges to the federal government and national unity do the Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions put forward?
