Section 10.3

Troubles Abroad

The French Revolution

• 1789- the people of France overthrew the French Monarchy

• Replaced it with a republican government• Most Americans supported this (supports

what they believe in-enlightenment thinking)

• Some were concerned about the violent matters happening (Revolutionaries beheaded King Louis)

Should America support this revolution????

• Remember: In 1778 U.S. signed a PEACE treaty with France (allies)

• Decision was made harder when France declared war on Great Britain

• Spain and Netherlands joined Britain side• France did not ask U.S. to declare war

with them, but did want their support in helping continue supplying trade supplies to them

Sided with the French

Jefferson and Randolph

Did not want to compromise

Sided with the British

Hamilton and Knox

Did not want to compromise

Washington’s Decision

REMAIN NUETRAL (safe and reasonable)

Neutrality Proclamation- states the United States would remain neutral toward all nations at war in Europe

Criticism of Washington’s Decision:

•He had not right to issue the proclamation without Congress’s approval

•France’s representative for the US Genet came over to America trying to recruit US citizens to help defend France

•Persuaded Privateers to help

Results

• Washington warned Genet that he needed to stop- is would damage U.S. neutrality

• Genet threatened to try and get the people of the United States to overrule Washington

• Caused Washington and his cabinet to agree that France should remove Genet as minister

Jefferson Resigns

• Agreed with getting rid of Genet• Didn’t agree with the U.S. opinions about foreign

policy issues toward France• Thought Hamilton was influencing Washington’s

too much about foreign policy (interfering in his role as Secretary of State)

• ** Jefferson and Washington still held the up most respect for each other even despite their differences

Jay’s Treaty

• Problem: British seized all ships carrying food to the French (neutral American ships included)- imprisoned all crews or left them stranded

• Rumors: the British on the Western Frontier were encouraging the American Indians to fight the U.S.

• Result: John Jay 1794 signed with the British a peace treaty called “Jay’s Treaty”

- British agreed to pay damages for U.S. ships and allow small American merchant ships to continue trading certain items

- The U.S. promised to pay the debts it owed the British merchants before the Revolutionary War

- Washington and congress did not like treaty-but signed

Pinckney’s Treaty

• Problems were occurring with Spanish Florida and Louisiana

• (Spanish disputed border between U.S. and Florida and Spain had closed the port of New Orleans to all U.S. trade)

• Pinckney ask Spain for “right of deposit”- Allow American boats to transfer their

goods at New Orleans without paying fees on their cargo

Results:

• Spain became worried and signed the Pinckney Treaty in October 1795

• This made Spain change the Florida border and to reopen the port at New Orleans to U.S. shipping and provide right of deposit

• Americans agreed and thought this was a success (unlike Jay’s treaty)