Chief Justice John Jay (Former Confederation Foreign Minister) v Favored allowing British troop movements v If the US blocked Britain, the result might be war v Or, the disgrace and humiliation of permitting them to proceed with impunity
Secretary of State Jefferson v Jefferson saw the same options as Jay v But he proposed a “middle course”: they should evasively “avoid giving any answer” v Thus not embroiling the infant US in another war
Vice President Adams v Adams urged opposition to Britain regardless of the consequences v Although he also hoped that a refusal would lead to negotiations rather than war
Secretary of War Henry Knox v Agreed with Adams: Britain should be refused v But, the US should also worry about France: US still bound by 1778 alliance v Should France ally with Spain (very likely) it would expect US support
Secretary of War Henry Knox v Should the US comply with the 1778 French treaty or proclaim neutrality? v US might find itself at war with Britain, regardless of its own interests v French alliance threatened to entangle the US in wars
Alexander Hamilton v Hamilton took a more pragmatic approach than the others v US had no hope of enforcing a denial of the British v US would thus derive a greater benefit from simply giving Britain permission
A Negotiated Solution, 1790 v Many historians have overlooked this controversy v Prospect of war a reminder of US weakness and peril v Reinforced Washington’s belief in neutrality
Washington and Nootka Sound v Washington consulted a large group of advisors v Never called cabinet together v In fact, not until winter 1792–93 did he even refer to a “cabinet” or meet with them on a regular basis
French Revolution, 1789-1799 v Friendly relations, 1778- v Revolution’s violent turn, 1792- v Polarization in US: Jeffersonians identified with Revolution v Federalists feared chaos would jeopardize the US
Second Term Crises, 1793-1797 v Revolution intensifies, as do tensions with Britain, France v US political polarization v Anglo-French wars made it seem unsafe to retire v Even Jefferson urged him v Another term, reluctantly
Foreign Affairs: France v Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality, April 1793 v Washington cautiously received the new French envoy, Edmond Charles Genet (“Citizen Genet”) May 1793
Jay’s Treaty, 1794 v Calls for war with Britain widespread by 1794 v Washington sent Jay to London v France interpreted the treaty as a US-British alliance v France retaliated by seizing US ships, personnel
Controversy over Jay’s Treaty v Failed to deal with the impressment problem and American neutrality v Accepted British supremacy at sea v Did put off direct conflict between America and its stronger rival
Washington’s Farewell Address: Dangers of Entangling Alliances (Does Washington receive sufficient credit? Acts of prevention? Do no harm? A blundering president might have proved fatal)
John Adams, 1797-1801 v Struggled in office v Grappled with French and British v Franco-American “Quasi War” 1797-1800 v Alien and Sedition Acts, 1798
Problems with France dominated the Adams administration v France angry about US refusal to pay Revolutionary debts v France dismayed by Anglo-US Jay Treaty v French expected bribes; outrage when US went public
Coup d'état of 18 Bru maire November 9, 1799
The US-French Convention of 1800: Ends 1798–1800 Quasi-War, terminates 1778 Treaty of Alliance
The French Revolution v US caught between Britain & France v World at war (once again) v Britain & France disrespected US rights with impunity
Jefferson and Foreign Affairs v Frustrations of a pacifist v Barbary Wars, 1801-05 v Louisiana Purchase, 1803 v Perils of a neutral nation v Failed embargo, 1807-09
Louisiana Purchase, 1803 An “Empire for Liberty”?
US obtained 800,000 square miles between the Mississippi & the Rockies. Purchased from France for $15 million. Increases US territory by 140 percent.
Louisiana Purchase: all or portions of 15 states (TX, LA, AR, OK, MO, KS, CO, NE, IA, MN, WY, MT, SD, ND, NM)
Emperor Napoleon, 1806
Jefferson’s Disillusionment v “It seemed as if everything in that country for the last twelve or fifteen years had been a DREAM,” said a disillusioned Jefferson v Now, he wished only for a stable constitutional monarchy in France, with a return of the Bourbon dynasty!
USS Chesapeake vs. HMS Leopard June 22, 1807 3 Americans killed, 18 wounded; 4 impressed. Of the 4 impressed, only 1 British born! 2 African American, 1 a former slave!
Jefferson, Britain & France v British “Orders in Council” forbids trade with France, Nov. 1807 v Napoleon forbids trade with Britain, Dec. 17, 1807 v Jefferson signs Embargo Act, Dec. 1807, retaliation against Britain & France (2 nd Embargo Act, Jan. 1808)
Criticizing Jefferson’s Embargo: “Intercourse or Impartial Dealings” Jefferson robbed by George III & Napoleon
Consequences of the Embargo v Jefferson’s Embargo Acts severely damaged economy v US exports collapsed from $108 million to $22 million! v Economic depression settled over much of the nation
Congress Repeals Embargo, March 1809
Impressment of 8,000 Americans! Feb. 1811: Madison halts trade with Britain unless Orders in Council are repealed. Britain vows to continue to seize US ships.
Declaration of War v June 1: Message to Congress, justifying war with Britain v June 4: House votes 79-49 for war v June 16: To avoid war with US, Britain revokes Orders in Council v News reaches US too late! v June 17: Senate votes 19-13 for declaration of war (close votes!)
Napoleon Crosses the Nieman June 24, 1812
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