The new republic had to deal
with neighbors:
• Spain to the West and
South
• Britain to the North – still
hadn’t left Northwest
Territory
… and conflicts in Europe
with its French allies
Lack of money and fear of
tyranny had prevented
building a national military
OK, Cabinet – check
Courts – check
Military – umm …
well, at least we
have militia - that’ll
have to do for now
North America in 1789
Unit 6 BIG IDEAS
1. The early republic presidents tried to pursue a policy
of neutrality and isolationism in foreign affairs.
2. Conflicts with foreign nations made these policies
difficult to maintain.
3. The War of 1812, while fought to a draw, resulted in a
stronger and more united U.S.
4. The Monroe Doctrine established the U.S. as protector
of the Americas when former Latin American colonies
gained independence.
George Washington: 1789-1797
Issues:
• French Revolution led France
to war with Great Britain
• U.S. had signed treaty of
alliance with France in 1778
(remember Saratoga?)
• U.S. unprepared for another
war
• Would Washington honor the
alliance and support France
in its war with Britain?
A deal is a
deal, monsieur
president …
Solution:
Washington maintained a policy of:
1. Neutrality - not taking either side in a conflict
2. Isolationism – avoiding alliances with foreign powers
We’d love to trade
with you both, but
leave us out of the
fight!
”It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances
with any portion of the foreign world.“
Washington’s Farewell Address
John Adams: 1797-1801
Issues:
• France hoped that anger over
British forts in Northwest
would make U.S. declare war
• Jay Treaty (1794) – John Jay got
British promise to leave Ohio
Valley without war
• French angry – began attacking
U.S. ships bound for England
Grrr …
you diss
us, you
pay!
Nice job,
Jam-Jam!
It’s all good,
boss …
The XYZ Affair
• Adams sent 3 representatives to France to end French
attacks
• Met by 3 French agents – report called them X, Y, and Z –
who asked for tribute (bribe) to end attacks
• Report angered Americans - Federalists called for war
with France
Would Adams do the popular
thing (WAR!) or follow
Washington’s advice and make
peace?
Solutions:
• Federalist Congress authorized naval attacks on French ships
• Passed Alien and Sedition Acts to stop pro-French critics of
Adams administration
But …
• Adams opposed war – sent delegates to France to negotiate
peace
• Treaty unpopular – cost Federalists and Adams the election
in 1800
Lost the
You blew
it, John …
election, yes,
but saved the
country –
totally worth it,
Alex
Thomas Jefferson: 1801-1809
Issues:
• 1803 – Britain and France back at war
• This time BOTH sides seizing American ships
VS.
And …
• British kidnapping American
sailors at sea – called
impressment
• Claimed sailors had escaped
from British navy (true for a
few, but not most)
Dude, I’m
‘Murican!
Caught
you,
“deserter”!
Solution:
• Jefferson tried negotiating
with France and Britain but
attacks and impressment
continued
• Congress passed Embargo Act
in 1807 – cut off all foreign
trade by American ships
• Embargo very unpopular in
New England – cost jobs and
millions of $$
• Congress repealed in 1809 –
attacks by Britain and France
continued
Next – Part 2: Pirates, War,
and So Much More
Political cartoon – “Ograbme”
Part 2: Pirates, War, etc.
Issue:
• Pirates attacking American
ships along Barbary Coast of
North Africa
• Demanded tribute (yes, bribes)
to stop attacks
George and I
just paid ‘em,
TJ … cheaper
than keeping
a navy
Should Jefferson pay
or fight?
Solution:
• Jefferson sent small navy to fight pirates
• Had some success, but U.S. warship Philadelphia
captured in Tripoli and ransomed
• U.S. finally made agreement with Tripoli and paid $60K
ransom, but pirate problems continued for next 10 years
Guess
we gotta
pay up –
oh well …
Pleasure doing
business wit’ ya,
Prez!
James Madison: 1809-1817
Madison continued Democratic-Republican rule
• Offered peace to both Britain and France to stop attacks on
American ships
• Napoleon, emperor of France, agreed (but kept up attacks)
We have a
deal, your
Excellency?
Oui, monsieur
president!
Sucker –
heh, heh,
heh …
Meanwhile …
• British continued attacks and impressment of sailors
• Supplied guns to Natives in Northwest (remember
Tecumseh?)
Don’t forget
my advice,
guys …
Issue:
Should U.S. declare war on Britain?
• NO: Federalists, New England, merchants and
bankers - feared British blockade and loss of
trade
• YES: Republicans, South, West, farmers –
wanted to expand west, angry over British
support of Natives like Tecumseh
• War Hawks, members of Congress who
supported war – led by Rep. Henry Clay (KY)
War of 1812
Two phases to the war
Phase 1: 1812-1814
• British still fighting France in
Europe
• U.S. won several naval battles –
Oliver Perry hero of the Battle of
Lake Erie
• U.S. invaded Canada – Tecumseh
killed at Battle of the Thames
• U.S. failed to conquer Canada
Phase 2: 1814-1815
• British defeated France –
turned attention to America
• Invaded Washington, DC –
burned White House and
government buildings
• Attacked but failed to
conquer Ft. McHenry in
Baltimore, MD
• Francis Scott Key witnessed
battle – wrote “StarSpangled Banner” after
seeing flag still flying in the
morning
• British strategy failed
British force sent to invade New Orleans
• January 1815: General Andrew Jackson’s army defeated
British in Battle of New Orleans
• Overwhelming victory – 71 American to 2,000 British
casualties
• Made Jackson national hero and ended war on high note
Andy J
ROX!
However …
Battle happened 2 weeks after Treaty of Ghent officially
ended War of 1812
Effects of the War
1. Neither side won – no major changes in treaty
2. Native resistance in Northwest weakened
3. Americans proud – called it “Second Revolution”
4. Generals Harrison and Jackson future presidents
5. Opposition to war ended Federalist Party
6. U.S. industry grew (more in Unit 7)
James Monroe: 1817-1825
Democratic-Republican – no Federalist
opposition
Issues:
• Latin American countries gaining
independence from Spain and
Portugal – feared other countries
would invade
• Russia wanting colonies in Alaska
and Pacific Northwest
How would the U.S. respond?
Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Monroe gave speech to Congress:
• Declared American continents off
limits to future European colonies
and U.S. would protect the Western
Hemisphere
• British agreed – navy would help
enforce Monroe Doctrine
Showed greater U.S. confidence in
world affairs
“The American continents ... are henceforth
not to be considered as subjects for future
colonization by any European powers”
Issue:
Where is the border between British Canada and U.S.?
Solution:
49th Parallel (490 N) set as U.S. northern boundary to Rocky
Mountains
Issues:
• U.S. and Spain disputed boundary between Louisiana
Territory and Spanish Florida
• Spain unable to enforce laws in Florida
Solution:
• Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) gave Florida
to U.S.
Strange but True History
• Thomas Jefferson and John Adams became friends during
Revolutionary Era
• Harsh election of 1800 ended friendship
• 1812: began writing each other – became friends again
• July 4, 1826: Both Adams and Jefferson died on the same
day – Independence Day, 50th anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence they both worked on
• Adams’ reported last words: “Thomas Jefferson survives” –
didn’t know Jefferson had died earlier that day
Picked a good
day, huh, TJ?
Sure did, old
friend …