US History
Fort Burrows
9.2 -- Creating a Foreign Policy
Main Idea:
As the French Revolution and wars raged in Europe, President Washington steered
a neutral course in foreign affairs.
Vocabulary:
French Revolution - rebellion of 1789 in France that ended the French monarchy
for a time
foreign policy - actions that a nation takes in relation to other nations
Neutral - not taking sides in a conflict
Neutrality Proclamation - statement in 1793 by GW that the US would not
support or aid either France or Britain in their European conflict
Jay’s Treaty - agreement in 1795 between Britain and the US; Britain to pay
damages for seized American ships and to give up land still being held in
the West and America would repay debts owed to British merchants
Farewell Address - final official speech of Presidents as they leave office
consolidate - to bring together (separate parts) into a single or unified whole;
unite; combine
conduct – the way a person behaves
convert – to change something into a different form
crucial – extremely important
enforce – to make sure people do something that is required by law
Setting the Scene:
Late in 1789, French ships arrived in American ports with startling news. On
July 14, an angry mob in Paris, had attacked the Bastille (bahs TEEL), an ancient fort
that was used as a prison. The attack on the Bastille was an early event in the French
Revolution. Before long, the revolution would topple the monarch and lead to the
execution of thousands of ordinary French citizens.
The French Revolution broke out a few years after America had won their
independence. Like Americans, the French fought for liberty and equality. As the
French Revolution grew more violent, however, it deepened political divisions within
the United States.
Responses to the French Revolution
ಈ French had many reasons to rebel against King Louis XVI
ಈ Peasants and middle class paid heavy taxes but nobles paid none
ಈ Reformers wanted a constitution to protect basic rights and limit king’s power
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ಈ American Support
õ At first, most Americans supported the French Revolution
ө knew what it meant to struggle for liberty
ө had France as an ally in American Revolution
ө admired leading reformer, Lafayette, who fought with them
õ In 1793, French Revolution turned very violent and radicals gained power
õ King and Queen were beheaded and tens of thousands of citizens were
executed during the “Reign of Terror”
ಈ Violence Stirs Division
õ Violence in France divided Americans
õ Jefferson supported the French and their use of violence
õ Hamilton and John Adams strongly opposed the violence
The United States Remains Neutral
ಈ French Revolution frightened European rulers
ಈ they wanted to prevent revolutionary ideas spreading to their lands
ಈ Europe plunged into a string of wars that lasted on or off for 20+ years
ಈ A Difficult Decision
õ
õ
õ
õ
faced with war in Europe, GW had to decide on a foreign policy
during American Revolution, US and France signed a treaty to be allies
France wanted to use American ports to supply ships and launch attacks
GW worried that US could not help France and remain neutral in conflict
¿¿ The United States should have supported France because….. (Jefferson side)
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¿¿ The United States should not have supported France because… (Adam/Hamilton side)
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ಈ Division in the Cabinet
õ the issue deepened the divisions between GW’s Cabinet
õ Hamilton argued that the treaty was not valid since the King was dead
õ Jefferson urged strict acceptance of the treaty – he was defeated
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õ GW issued the Neutrality Proclamation stating US would not support either
side in war
õ it forbade Americans from aiding Britain or France
õ this stance and other defeats led Jefferson to eventually leave the Cabinet
In 1793, French diplomat Edmond Charles Genet was sent to the United States with
instruction to obtain the money still owed to France. Americans who supported the
French Revolution enthusiastically welcomed him as ‘Citizen Genet,’ but he alienated
President Washington by organizing privateers in American ports to raid British
ships. Washington, committed to neutrality, asked for Genet’s recall. Political
changes in France made return risky, so Genet married an American woman, became
an American citizen, and lived out his life on a farm in New York.
Struggling to Remain Neutral
ಈ Declaring neutrality was easier than enforcing it
ಈ Americans profited from trade with Britain and France but their cargoes were
being seized
ಈ Washington did not want to disrupt relations with other countries
ಈ Jay’s Treaty
õ in 1793, British captured 250+ American ships trading in French West Indies
õ GW sent John Jay to Britain for talks
õ Jay negotiated an agreement: Jay’s Treaty, that called for 3 things:
1. Britain to pay damages for the ships
2. Americans to pay debts to British merchants
3. Britain agreed to give up forts in the West
õ Jay’s Treaty sparked loud
protests because it did not protect neutral ships
õ Senate approved treaty in 1795 after furious debate
ಈ Washington Retires
“Tis our policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of
the foreign World…
The Great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign Nations is… to have
with them as little political connection as possible”
George Washington Farewell Address, 1796
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õ GW advised Americans against becoming involved in European affairs
õ GW did not oppose foreign trade, just alliances that could drag us into war
õ His advice guided American foreign policy for many years
¿¿ What was the message of Washington’s Farewell Address ?
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1. How was American opinion divided over the French Revolution ?
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2. Why did Washington want the nation to remain neutral in foreign affairs ?
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3. Why was it difficult for the United States to remain neutral ?
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4. What was the ‘Reign of Terror ?
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5. What were GW’s 7 Precedents ?
1.
2.
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4.
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6.
7.
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