“Troubles at Home and Abroad”
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Focus Question: How did the actions of Britain and France affect the United States?
Conflicts in the Northwest Territory
*Treaty of Paris (ended Revolution) – US won territory north and west of the Ohio River to the
Mississippi River.
*The British were to withdraw from the forts they controlled in a reasonable time after the end of the American Revolution.
*Ten years later they not only still occupied the forts, but also were supplying the Natives with weapons and ammunition in the hopes that would limit American settlement expansion.
A Struggle Over Lands
*Native Americans wanted to keep their lands and attacked American settlements.
*Some Native American groups joined together to try to oppose further settlement.
*Many American leaders felt westward expansion was necessary for the country's future, so the federal gov't tried to force the Native Americans to sell their lands.
*By 1790, the U.S. had acquired lands in most of
Kentucky and part of Tennessee. However, the

land north of the Ohio River was not acquired by the gov't (Native Americans refused to sell it), even though settlers continued to go there.
A Series of Battles
*Washington sent forces to try to end Native
American attacks, especially those led by Little
Turtle of the Miami Nation. Little Turtle was victorious repeatedly.
*August 1794 - American Revolution hero
Anthony Wayne led forces against Little Turtle and won a major victory at the Battle of Fallen
Timbers. This battle broke the Native American hold on the Northwest.
*1795 Treaty of Greenville - Native leaders gave up most of their lands from the Ohio River to
Lake Erie (Ohio).
The French Revolution
*1789 - the French Revolution began and its fight against monarchy was supported by the majority of Americans.
*Its violence became horrific with executions of more than 17,000 people during the “Reign of
Terror”. The king and queen were also executed by the French revolutionaries. The Federalists disapproved of the violence.

*Jefferson and his supporters said that injustices were to be expected in the fight against oppression
(preventing people from getting their rights).
*1793 - France and Britain were at war but
Washington said that the U.S. needed to remain neutral (not favoring either side) and wanted to continue trading with both. The countries felt that such trade would benefit the other side and both countries began stopping American ships and seizing their cargoes.
*The British also impressed American sailors
(forced them to work in the British navy). Based on heavy American reliance on trade with Britain,
Washington attempted to repair relations with
Britain by sending John Jay to London.
*A treaty was reached in 1795 where the U.S. would pay debts long owed to British merchants and Britain agreed to pay for ships seized, withdraw troops from the Northwest Territory, and stop aiding Native Americans.
*Britain refused to recognize U.S. rights to trade with France and would not stop impressment of
U.S. sailors.
*Jay’s Treaty angered Republicans because they claimed the U.S. gave away too much and received too little while the Federalists approved the treaty because it kept peace with England.

Since Federalists controlled the Senate, the Treaty was approved.
Washington Retires from Public Life
*1796 - Washington's Farewell Address (letter) to the public had two main points:
1. He warned against political divisions at home (ex. political parties)
2. He emphasized the U.S. should not get involved in the problems in Europe.
*Washington left office with major accomplishments:
1. The U.S. had a functioning federal gov't
2. The economy was improving
3. War had been avoided
4. The British had been forced to leave the forts in the Northwest Territory opening it for new development.
Review Questions
How were the conflicting claims of settlers and
Native Americans resolved?

Washington sent troops to suppress the Native
Americans.
How did Americans react to the Jay Treaty?
Republicans opposed Jay's Treaty but Federalists supported it.
What were Washington's chief accomplishments?
Establishing a successful gov't, bringing the country out of debt,, keeping the country out of war, forcing the British to leave the Northwest
Territory.