Early American Foreign Policy

US History

Standard

QC-B1M – Evaluate, take and defend positions on the development of US foreign policy during the early 19th century.

I. Washington

A. Domestic Issues1. Cabinet – Heads of executive departments created for the purpose of

advising the government on specific issues. 2. Judiciary Act of 1789 – Organization of the federal district court and

established Supreme Court justices for the Supreme Court3. Bank of the United States – proposed by Alexander Hamilton, would have

power to make loans, issue paper money and manage the countries debt. 4. Whiskey Rebellion – Rebellion against an excise tax on whiskey.

Washington sent 13,000 troops to crush the rebellion. 5. Rise of political parties – Federalists v. Democrat Republicans.

I. Washington

Hamilton and the Federalists Jefferson and the Democrat Republicans

Strong National Government Strong State Government

Ruling power given to wealthy, educated Ruling power given to all landowners

Government should promote manufacturing Government should promote agriculture

Loose interpretation of the Constitution Strict interpretation of the Constitution

Protective tariffs protect domestic industries Protective tariffs burden farmers

I. Washington

B. Foreign Issues1. French Revolution

A. Federalists turned against the French – tended to be pro BritishB. Democrat Republicans – Supported the French and their fight for liberty.

2. Neutrality Proclamation – Declared the US to be friendly and impartial towards warring nationsA. Jay’s Treaty - calmed tensions with Great Britain over tradeB. Pinckney’s Treaty – granted the US the right to navigate the Mississippi and to deposit

goods at the port of New Orleans.

I. Washington

B. Foreign Issues3. Political parties soon forced Washington to retire.4. Washington’s Farewell Address

A. Urged Americans to support the federal governmentB. Avoid sectionalismC. Dangers of Political partiesD. Warned against permanent alliances to foreign countries.

II. Adams

A. Foreign Issues1. France –

A. French Revolution aroused concerns for most AmericansB. French were extremely upset with Jay’s Treaty and they began to seize American shipsC. Adams tried diplomacy to ease tensions between the two

1. XYZ Affair- French demanded a $250,000 bribe in order to negotiate2. Quasi War – undeclared war at sea between the French and the US.3. Napoleon- Eventually, the US and France were able to settle the issues when Napoleon

came into power.

XYZ Affair

II. Adams

B. Domestic Issues1. Alien and Sedition Act-

A. Created by a dominated Federalist Congress to crush the pro French Democratic Republicans(Thomas Jefferson).

B. Alien Act-Aimed at immigrants who planned to vote Jefferson, allowed the president to deport any alien he deemed dangerous to society.

C. Sedition Act-outlawed conspiracy to prevent the enforcement of federal laws and punished subversive speech—with fines and imprisonment

Alien Sedition Act

II. Adams

C. Election of 1800

Major Players John AdamsThomas JeffersonAaron BurrAlexander Hamilton

Issues Alien and Sedition ActsRelationship with Britain or FrenchStates Rights

Outcome Jefferson winsTension between Burr and HamiltonPassage of the 12th Amendment

III. Jefferson

A. Domestic Issues1. Kentucky Virginia Resolutions – If a state disagrees with a federal law,

they have the right to nullify or void that law. 2. Marbury v Madison –established the Supreme Courts right to judicial

reviewA. Midnight Judges- Adams’ judges who signed appointments all the way until midnight

of his term. B. Judicial Review- determining the constitutionality of a law.

III. Jefferson

B. Foreign Issues1. The Louisiana Purchase

A. In an attempt to prevent the Spanish from obtaining anymore power in North America, Jefferson made a deal with Napoleon to purchase the Louisiana territory.

B. For $15 million, Jefferson doubled the size of the United States. C. Many say the purchase is unconstitutional because Jefferson did not obtain

permission from Congress to make the purchase. D. Lewis and Clark-

1. Exploratory quest to obtain information about the Louisiana territory2. 8000 miles from St. Louis to the Pacific took 2.5 years to complete

Louisiana Purchase

III. Jefferson

B. Foreign Issues1. Embargo Act –

A. Britain was angry with the American and French relationshipsB. Began to capture American merchants at sea and force them to take part in the

British Army. 1. Impressments

C. Embargo Act of 1807 prevented Americans from trading with European nationsD. Significantly crippled American economy and at the end of his presidency, Jefferson

agreed to change the act.

IV. Madison

A. Domestic Issues1. National Bank- Hamilton’s national bank was not renewed, Henry Clay and

others deemed the bank to be unconstitutional.2. Battle of Tippecanoe –

A. Issues between Natives in the Northwest Territory led to a bloody battle between Tecumseh and American troops.

B. Outcome not cut and dry but discouraged the Natives from rallying once again in a unified matter

C. Let many people to question the actions of the British

Madison Presidency

IV. Madison

B. Foreign Issues1. Worsening relationships with European countries

A. France – Began engaging in hostile acts against American ships.B. British - a series of events eventually leads to what many call the “2nd war of

independence”, the War of 1812