Chapter 12 Foreign Affairs in the Young Nation

Chapter 12 Foreign Affairs in the Young Nation

Introduction 12. 1 Governments have used seals like this one to mark their approval of important documents Unfinished pyramid on one side of the seal signifies strength and endurance Symbol of the United States (Bald Eagle)

Introduction 12. 1 Our nation’s founders thought that a national seal was so important that they began work on it the same day they declared independence: July 4, 1776. In 1782, Congress approved the design we see on our currency today ------------------------------Washington established policies that would guide the United States in its future dealings with other nations Symbol of peace Symbolize war Both show that the United States will pursue peace but will also protect itself. Notice that the eagle faces peace * The United States could be actively involved in world affairs, risking war * Or it could avoid involvement in other nations’ conflicts in the hope of staying at peace

President Washington Creates a Foreign Policy 12. 2 National Army • Nonexistent – The government did not have the money to keep its army active – Americans had learned that a standing national army could be used to take away their liberty • State militia troops, they believed, could handle any threats the country might face Threats • New nation was surrounded by unfriendly powers. • To the north - Great Britain still controlled Canada – The British also refused to abandon their forts in the Ohio Valley, even though this region now belonged to the United States. • To the south and west - Spain – Controlled Florida and Louisiana.

President Washington Creates a Foreign Policy 12. 2 Dilemma Farewell Address • France declares war on Britain • Washington said, could gain nothing by becoming involved in other nations’ affairs • Washington declared, “to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world. ” – Washington does not know what side to take • United States had signed a treaty of alliance with France in 1788 – In that treaty, the United States had promised to aid France in time of war • Many Americans were eager to honor that pledge, even if it meant going to war with Great Britain • Solution: Washington announced a policy of neutrality – Washington’s policy of avoiding alliances with other countries became known as isolationism • For the next century, isolationism would be the foundation of U. S. foreign policy

President Adams’s Dilemma: Protecting U. S. Ships 12. 3 Jay Treaty • France hoped we would go to war against Great Britain – The British would not leave the Ohio Valley • Washington sent John Jay, chief justice of the Supreme Court, to London to settle things with the British – British finally agreed to pull their troops from the Ohio Valley • Results of Treaty – France, still at war with Great Britain, viewed the Jay Treaty as a violation of its own treaty with the United States – French navy began attacking U. S. merchant ships bound for Great Britain • Over the next year, French warships seized 316 American ships XYZ Affair • President Adams sent three representatives to France to ask the French to end the attacks • French foreign minister Talleyrand refused to speak to the Americans – Instead, they were met by secret agents, later identified only as X, Y, and Z – Agents said that no peace talks would be held unless Talleyrand received a large sum of money as a tribute • American representatives refused

President Adams’s Dilemma: Protecting U. S. Ships 12. 3 Result from XYZ • Outraged Americans President Adams wanted an Army • Congress voted to recruit an army of 10, 000 men • It also voted to build 12 new ships for the nation’s tiny navy • Slogan: “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Americans prepared for war • Privateers: Approved by Congress, merchant ships, launched a “half war” on the seas During this undeclared war • American ships captured more than 80 armed French vessels.

1 a m m e l i D What Happened: Adams Pursues Peace 12. 4 War or No War? • President John Adams hunch: – Good for Federalist Party – Bad for country • NO war was the choice • Napoleon Bonaparte – Had taken over the French government – Wanted peace with Americans • Agreement: – Agreed to end France’s 1778 alliance with the United States • In exchange, France did not have to pay for all the ships it had seized – U. S. government would have to pay American ship owners for their lost property Federalist fall apart • Choosing the olive branch cost Adams political popularity • His pursuit of peace with France created strong disagreements within the Federalist Party • Lost reelection of 1800 – Jefferson defeated Adams in the election, and the Federalist Party lost much of its support • Over the next few years, Adams would watch his Federalist Party slowly fade away

2 a m m e l i D President Jefferson’s Dilemma: Dealing with Pirates 12. 5 Jefferson’s Problem Impressment • President Thomas Jefferson, who took office in 1801 • British impressment – Nations were seizing ships that were heading to other nation • Complained bitterly that: – England has become a den of pirates – France has become a den of thieves • Jefferson tried to follow a policy of neutrality – Kidnapping US sailors and forcing them to serve in the British navy • Claimed that the men they impressed were British deserters • Leopard v. Chesapeake – Chesapeake’s captain refused to allow a search for deserters – Leopard opened fire • Twenty-one American sailors were killed or wounded – This attack triggered another case of war fever, this time against Great Britain.

2 a m m e l i D President Jefferson’s Dilemma: Dealing with Pirates 12. 5 Piracy • Pirates preyed on merchant ships entering the Mediterranean Sea • Washington and Adams both paid tribute to Barbary State rulers in exchange for the safety of American ships • Ruler of Tripoli demanded still more tribute – Declared war on U. S. b/c no payment • Jefferson not sure what to do – War? – Pay tribute?

What Happened: Jefferson Solves the Problem 12. 6 War After the Pirates • Jefferson did not want to pay tribute • Sent small warships to Mediterranean to protect U. S merchants • Pirates capture Philadelphia • Britain and France still seize ships • Jefferson placed the Embargo Act – Demand ransom $3 million – Other countries help destroy pirates • For $60, 000 – U. S. gets back our ship and crew – Refused to trade with any foreign nation • No ship left foreign ports • No foreign ship could enter U. S. ports – Could only trade with U. S. ports • Killed America’s economy – later removed

3 a m m e l i D President Madison’s Dilemma: Protecting Sailors and Settlers 12. 7 Madison takes Presidency War, Maybe? • Offered France and Great Britain a deal: • – Agree to cease your attacks on American ships, the United States will stop trading with your enemy • Napoleon promptly agreed to Madison’s offer – Secret orders to continue seizing American ships headed for British ports • Madison cut off all trade with Great Britain • Madison wants to ignore George Washington’s policy of isolationism and going to war with Great Britain War thoughts: – North – not in favor – South – in favor • West Problems – Fought a united Indian nation – Realized the Indians were supplied with British guns • War Hawks created – People who wanted to go to war immediately with Britain – Wanted the make the Northwest safe for settlers

What Happened: The War of 1812 12. 8 WAAAARRRRR! Battles on Land Sea • Congress declared war on Great Britain on July 17, 1812 • – Nation with an army of 7, 000 poorly trained men and a navy of only 16 ships • War Hawks were overjoyed with war – Unsuccessful attacks in Canada (1812, 1813, 1814) Important turn of events in 1814 – Napoleon is defeated, British now send 15, 000 troops to America – Taking Canada seemed impossible now • British sent troops to Washington D. C. – Burnt the White House/Capitol and D. C. – Madison had to flee for his life • Baltimore, MD – British bombarded Fort Mc. Henry all night – He woke and still saw the American flag waving above the fort • Created a poem: “The Star-Spangled Banner”

What Happened: The War of 1812 12. 8 Battle of New Orleans • • New Orleans was defended by General Andrew Jackson Army of: – 7, 000 militia, free African Americans, Indians, and pirates • 7, 500 British troops marched against Jackson’s troops – 2, 000 British soldiers were killed or wounded – Compared with only about 20 Americans • Greatest U. S. victory of the War of 1812 – War was fought during a time of peace – Two weeks earlier, signed a peace treaty ending the war Results of War • Neither Great Britain nor the United States really won the War of 1812 • Effects of war: – First, Indian resistance in the Northwest Territory weakened after Tecumseh’s death – Second, national pride in the United States surged • United States had truly become a sovereign nation – Third, the war had political effects • Federalist party fades away

4 a m m e l i D President Monroe’s Dilemma: A New Foreign Policy Challenge 12. 9 Monroe is President Returned the nation to its policy of isolationism Concentrated on events happening in Latin America • Latin American Revolutions – Mexico Pushed out Spanish rule – South America • By the end of 1825, the last Spanish troops had been driven out of South America New Latin American Nations • Once freed – Can open up ports to other nations • Britain happy!! Now can trade with Latin America • Other European leaders were not so pleased – Some even began to talk of helping Spain recover its lost colonies • Great Britain asked the United States to join it in sending a message – Telling them to leave Latin America alone

What Happened: The Monroe Doctrine 12. 10 Monroe Doctrine • Nations of North and South America were “free and independent” – “Not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers. ” • Europeans denounced Monroe’s message as arrogant – did not like • Doctrine strengthen isolationism as a basic principle of U. S. foreign policy • U. S. had become a strong and confident nation—a nation to be respected by the world.