Foreign Policy Issues

1. Foreign Policy Issues Chapter 2, Section 2

2. Conflict in the Ohio Valley • After the Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Paris 1783 created new land borders for the United States. • Hoping to stop the push of Americans westward, the British began arming Native American tribes in the Northwest Territory. • Leaders such as Little Turtle of the Miami Indians used these weapons to suppress American forces. • At the Battle of Fallen Timbers, Native Americans were forced to concede much of the Northwest Territory to the American government.

3. American Relations with Europe • The split between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans grew over the French Revolution. • Democratic-Republicans saw the French as fellow supporters of republican ideals, and supported their efforts to overthrow the monarchy. • However, when the French rebels waged war on all European monarchies, including Britain, the Federalists saw the Revolution as anarchy—and feared the same.

4. American Relations in Europe • In 1793, the French Revolution was in full swing. However, both sides saw the necessity in the United States remaining neutral. What were the two reasons? • The United States could not afford ($$$) to get involved in a war. • 90% of U.S. revenue came from tariffs on goods imported from Britain. • Once again, Washington set a precedent: the United States remained neutral in European affairs until WWI.

5. Relations with Europe • In 1794, Washington sent Chief Justice John Jayto Britain to negotiate a compromise. What were the two stipulations of the Jay Treaty? • British would give up forts in the Northwest Territory • US had to pay off all pre-war debts • In order to gain access to the Mississippi River, the United States signed a treaty with Spain. What were the stipulations of Pinckney’s Treaty? • U.S. would gain access to the Mississippi and New Orleans • The Spanish would get an established northern border to Florida.

6. Parties Debate Foreign Policy • In the election of 1796, John Adams faced off against Thomas Jefferson. The nation divided along regional lines. John Adams narrowly won. • Who became his vice president? Thomas Jefferson • Adams’ administration was seen as weak by many individuals, including Alexander Hamilton. • His administration was tested early when the French felt betrayal over the Jay Treaty. • In response, the French seized American merchant shipsand Adams sent negotiators to Paris. • In what became known as the XYZ Affair, French officials demanded $250,000 in bribes and humiliating terms for the U.S. • This incident spurred anti-French sentiment and allowed Congress to pass taxes to raise revenue for army expansion.

7. Parties Debate Foreign Policy • This sentiment also allowed Congress to pass the Alien and Sedition Actsin 1798. • The Alien Act allowed the federal government to deport immigrants who criticized the government. • The Sedition Act made it a crime for citizens to publicly discredit the gov. • How did each of these target Democratic- Republicans? • Immigrants were most likely to support Dem-Reps. • Dem-Reps citizens were more likely to be speaking out against the Federalist gov.

8. The Parties Debate Foreign Policy • In response to these Acts, two southern states, Virginia and Kentucky passed resolutions declaring the Sedition Act unconstitutional. • This alluded to the idea that the states had the power to nullifyfederal laws. • However, no other states adopted similar resolutions. The election of 1800 would determine the outcome of the nation.

9. The Election of 1800 • Angered by his administration, Adams lost much of the Federalist support he had in the election of 1796. • Thomas Jefferson ran for president and had intended for Aaron Burr to be the vice-president. What happened? They tied in electoral votes • What role did Hamilton play in the electoral process? • Hamilton preferred Jefferson to Burr so he persuaded more people to vote for Jefferson. • The constitution added the 12th amendment to prevent it from happening again. • Angered by Hamilton’s decision, Burr killed him in a duel in 1804.