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Jay’s Treaty

Jay’s Treaty. Proclaiming American Neutrality. The war between Britain and France created immediate practical problems for America. Which side should the United States take? The new nation could not afford to offend the British, whose navy dominated the oceans.

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Jay’s Treaty

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  1. Jay’s Treaty

  2. Proclaiming American Neutrality • The war between Britain and France created immediate practical problems for America. • Which side should the United States take? • The new nation could not afford to offend the British, whose navy dominated the oceans. • Nor the French, who had helped Americans during the Revolutionary war. • In 1793, President Washington decided the most sensible strategy was to remain neutral.

  3. Trying to Remain Neutral • Despite Washington's proclamation, the United States found it very difficult to avoid getting involved in war with Britain. • In 1793, the British began to seize neutral U.S. trading ships heading for the French West Indies.

  4. Trying to Remain Neutral • Americans were also increasingly frustrated with British support for Indians in the Northwest Territory who were keeping settlers south of the Ohio River. • With anti-British sentiment on the rise, by 1794, the debate over whether the United States should remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France reached its height.

  5. Chief Justice John Jay

  6. Neutrality • Washington and Hamilton believed that the long-term interests of the United States would be best served by avoiding war with Britain. • In 1794 Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to negotiate an agreement with the British. • Jay said of his objectives, “My objects are, to prevent a war, if justice can be obtained.”

  7. Jay’s Treaty • Within the resulting agreement, called Jay’s Treaty, Britain agreed to leave the forts it occupied in the Northwest Territory. • It expanded trade between the two Nations. • The treaty however was unable to stop the British practice of stopping American ships on the high seas and searching them for British subjects.

  8. Jay’s Treaty in Review • Jay’s Treaty unleashed a storm of controversy throughout the United States. • Critics complained that it contained no protection for American shipping. • Many Americans saw the treaty as a betrayal of the Revolutionary ideals, and a sellout to the British. • Despite this controversy, Congress ratified the treaty in 1795.

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