Federalist Era Foreign Policy
Introduction: The United States relationship with Europe was turbulent and was
soon became domestically divisive as France looked for diplomatic relations. In 1789
the French Revolution replaced the Monarchy with a republic and by 1793 this new
government was at war with Britain, Spain, and Holland. Citizen Genet was dispatched
from France to the U.S. in order to muster support for their war. Genet polarized the
American government and was asked to return home, but since the Jacobins were in
power and the moderates were who sent him, Genet was allowed safe exile in the U.S.
The partisan split in government was well covered in the press. Jefferson battled with
Hamilton, and eventually resigned as the Secretary of State at the end of 1793.
Jefferson now devoted full time as the leader of the Republican Party.
I. Relations with England
Issue: Could the U.S. trade with France?
British Rule of 1756 states that no ship could claim neutrality in order to trade with
an opponent. Britain created a blockade of all-French ships, but allowed U.S. ships to
trade. France lifted all restrictions with U.S. trade and from 1790-1796, the
Northeastern ports boomed from $46 million to $140 million.
Significance: U.S. Commerce takes advantage of the war between France and Britain.
Later British merchants resented American ships neutrality with France. The
British, now stop and confiscate U.S. ships contraband headed for France. British
impress U.S. sailors in response to the American merchant ships allowing safe-haven
for British sailors who go AWOL (absent without leave). American merchant ships
paid better and had better conditions than British ships. Washington made his
Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793, because he felt the U.S. was too weak to get
involved the war between France and Britain. The Proclamation of Neutrality
angered the Democratic-Republicans who wanted to honor the Franco-American
Alliance of 1778.
The Jay Treaty (1794) was agreed upon after Chief Justice John Jay went to Britain
to negotiate a deal in order to stop impressments among other things such as the
removal of the British garrisons on America soil-Northwest Territory, the British
encouraging Indians to harass settlers, and the naval blockade. In 1793, 250
American ships were seized and boarded by the British navy. As a result of the
treaty:
1. The British removed their garrisons from the Northwest Territory
2. They paid for confiscated ships
3. They allowed the Americans to trade with their West Indian colonies
However;
1. There was no trade equality with Britain
2. The British were not liable for removing slaves after the American Revolution
3. The British did not allow French privateers in American ports.
Significance of the Jay Treaty:
A. Averted a war with Britain
B. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson) saw it as a “sell out”.
C. Caused a deeper partisan divide in the U.S. government.
II Relations with Spain
The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) consisted of western Pennsylvania farmers who
were upset about the excise tax on the transport and manufacturing of corn
products used to make whiskey. The tax money was to be used to sponsor
Hamilton’s economic plan. Although, Washington’s army suppressed the rebellion,
he looked to appease the farmer’s demands by allowing free trade through the port
of New Orleans. Thomas Pinckney was sent to Spain to negotiate a treaty.
Pinckney Treaty (1795) a treaty with Spain, also known as Treaty of Friendship, Limits,
and Navigation Between Spain and the United States established the borderline between
the United States and the American colonies of Spain. Spain agreed to allow free
navigation of the Mississippi river, protection of U.S. ships and a promise not to impress
U.S. ships. In addition, Spain promises not to incite the Native Americans, Chickasaw
and Choctaw Nations, against Americans. Finally, American traders had tax-free access
to the Port of New Orleans for 3 years.
III Relations with France
Washington Farewell Address (1796) recommended to the future governments of the
United States to be aware of permanent alliances, in particular Britain and France. The
election of 1796 resulted in a victory for the former vice- President John Adams. Thomas
Pinckney, Federalists, lost to the new Vice President Thomas Jefferson (D-R). Some of
Jefferson’s success can be attributed to the failure of the Jay Treaty.
President John Adams and the X,Y,Z Affair (1798) was in response to the Quazi-war
1798-1800, or the undeclared war between France, who attacked and impressed
American ships. France refused to accept ambassador Charles Pinckney so Adams sent
John Marshall, Eldridge Gerry, and Charles Pinckney to meet Talleyrand, who demanded
a gift of $250,000 and a loan of $12 million dollars. American responded in anger,
“Millions for defense, sir, but not a cent for tribute”.
Significance: The Department of the Navy and the Marine Corp. was created in 1798 and
the U.S. decided to help Toussaint L’Overture and the Haitians fight for independence.
This put pressure on France to negotiate. At home there was a backlash against French
immigrants, which fueled the passage of the Alien and Sedition Act (1798).
Convention of 1800 the U.S. made a treaty with Napoleon/France to end the Quazi-War
and end the Franco-American Alliance of 1778. This angered a faction in his own party
called the High Federalists (Hamilton), who wanted to go to war with France.
Republican Triumph
Partisan newspapers attacked President Adams. (ex. The Republican newspaper, General
Advertiser called Adams, “old querulous, bald, blind, crippled, toothless Adams”.)
I. Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) were four laws and used as a Federalist tool.
1. Naturalization Acts- residency requirements extend from 5 years to 14 years to
prevent pro-French immigrants from voting for Democratic-Republican [ex. Irish (antiBritish) and French].
2. Alien Act- gave the President the power to expel any immigrant (alien) who
was considered dangerous or suspected of treasonable acts.
3. Alien Enemies Act- expel, arrest, or imprison enemy aliens at time of war.
4. Sedition Act- made it illegal for both aliens and citizens to :
a. impede with execution of federal law
b. bring President and Congress into disrepute
c. instigate any riot, insurrection, or unlawful assembly
d. prevent any federal officer from performing their duties.
Significance: The Federalists government prosecuted 4 Republican newspapers. Foreign
political activists fled the country. Inspired the passage of the Virginia + Kentucky
Resolution. Jefferson (Ky.) and Monroe(Va.) saw the Aliens and Sedition Acts as the
federal govt. exceeding the powers of the Constitution and allows states the power of the
Constitution, and allows States to nullify or oppose those laws.
Significance of the Kentucky + Virginia Resolution:
a. Gave some support to the Democratic-Republicans
b. Set precedents for future Southern state rights issues.
c. Brought attention to the administrations disregard of civil liberties.
II. The Election of 1800
Federalists
Republicans
Adams (65)
Jefferson (73)
Pinckney (65)
Burr (73)
Jefferson promised the House of Representatives, Federalists dominated, that he would
keep the Hamilton Plan intact, continue a neutral foreign policy, and allow Federalists to
keep their civil service jobs.
III. Thomas Jefferson Administration
Decreased the military budget, decreased some taxes, and decreased the national debt. He
had Congress repeal some of the Alien and Sedition Acts and by 1802 his govt. sold it
shares of the U.S. Bank. He took advantage of the spoils system and replaced over 200
Federalists in the govt. with Republicans. He dealt with the Federalists midnight
appointments, (ex. Marbury v. Madison = Judicial Review).
Louisiana Purchase (1803) Victory by the Haitians put the French in a weaken position
to protect the Louisiana Territory and with war developing in Europe, France sought to
finance the war efforts. Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) and the British blockade and
impressments of U.S. ships, drew the U.S. towards diplomacy more than war.
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807)- Americans encouraged British navy men to desert
and join the American navy. One in particular, Jenkins Ratford, flaunted and bragged
deserting a British ship. Word that he was on the U.S.S Chesapeake caused the British
HMS Leopard to stop the American ship. They fired at the Chesapeake killing U.S.
sailors. Ratford was located on the ship and was subsequently hanged. The U.S. was
indignant about this incident.
Significance: Jefferson proposed the Embargo Act of 1807, which declared that no
trading was allowed with foreign (warring) nations. Some ignored it, but enforcement
caused economic disaster for port towns and cities, especially in New England. In 1809
the law was repealed and replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act, which lifted the embargo
on first nation to end their aggression towards the U.S. (France or Britain).
IV. James Madison Administration
Historian’s consensus is that Madison failure to end the embargo probably caused the
War of 1812.