WASHINGTON AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS Declaration of Neutrality Attempt to keep America out of the growing European war Proclaimed American neutrality towards GB and France Stated Americans should remain “fair but impartial” Genet Affair French diplomat Genet sent to gain American support Before presenting credentials, he started recruiting Americans to fight against Great Britain and Spain Violation of American neutrality and diplomatic protocol But, Washington allowed him to stay in the country because the government that sent him was out of power in France and it was dangerous for him to return (1st to request political asylum – precedent)

British occupation of forts in the NW still a problem Fur trade + support of Natives Little Turtle = chief of the Miami tribe located in the Northwest (Ohio) Territory He led a Native confederation in a battle against Americans in 1790-1791 and won But, after Gen. Wayne put in charge of American army, he warned his tribe not to fight He was removed as chief PROBLEMS IN THE WEST

BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBERS Washington selected Anthony “Mad Anthony” Wayne to settle Native issues in the Ohio territory He defeated Miami Confederacy, ending Native American resistance in the Ohio Treaty of Greenville Natives gave up most of the land in NW Territory in exchange for $20,000 worth of goods + annual payments Right to hunt on lands But, their recognition of status will change in future BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBERS

John Jay sent by Washington to England to end disputes, work out a treaty over disputed western territory / navigation issues TERMS Britain would evacuate NW and pay for damages to shipping But, did not commit to stopping future seizures / impressments US agreed to finally pay pre-Revolution merchant debts US allowed GB to keep fur trade in NW, angering westerners JAY’S TREATY

JEFFERSON AND PINCKNEY TREATY Jefferson resigned from Washington’s cabinet Angered at attacks by Federalists and his continuing feud with Hamilton, whom Washington supported U.S. sent Pinckney to negotiate with Spain The U.S. wanted to settle issue of shipping on the Mississippi River + western lands Spain signed a treaty with France and then worried about retaliation from England + possible American attack, so signed treaty to reduce American threat (a) Gave up claims to land east of the Mississippi - except Florida (b) recognized the 31st parallel as the southern boundary of the U.S. / northern boundary of Florida (c) free navigation of Mississippi and use of New Orleans

ELECTION OF 1796 John Adams (Federalist) running against Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) First election where political parties were an issue The writers of the Constitution never considered that political parties/beliefs would develop The Constitution said that the winner of the election would be President and the person who came in second place would be Vice-President Adams won the majority of the votes (71) Jefferson came in second place (68) So, President and Vice-President had different views on how to run the government / country

ADAM’S PERSONAL STYLE Toughest job – to be President after George Washington Short, heavy, quick to anger, from Boston Federalist-style of dress almost seemed “kingly” Did not accept criticism of his ideas Not really a good administrator who can manage / balance his staff

POLITICAL ISSUES Growth of SECTIONALISM where the interests of a region become more important to a person than those of the country as a whole Disagreement over the level of American involvement in the French Revolution Growth of power of the national (central) government worried states-rights advocates

X-Y-Z AFFAIR Adams sent three ministers to France to discuss problems of Jay’s Treaty and French anger at the U.S. (relations with England) The French government sent three low-level officials to meet with the U.S. representatives The ministers demanded a bribe of $250,000 before the U.S. could meet with French foreign minister Talleyrand Americans refused to pay bribe French foreign minister Talleyrand

In his report to Congress, Adams called the French officials “X”, “Y”, “Z” Insult to U.S. diplomats led to anti-French anger and slogan “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute”

CONVENTION OF 1800 France, especially Napoleon Bonaparte, wanted to avoid starting an official war with the U.S. Adams sent a new envoy to France to discuss problems in West Indies Agreement signed that annulled the Revolutionary -era defense treaty between the U.S. and France Called Treaty of Mortfontaine

CONVENTION OF 1800 U.S. agreed to pay off any damage claims that U.S. merchants had made against France Adams ensured the U.S. would not be at war with France or become involved in the European wars Probably opened the way for the future Louisiana Purchase agreement But, many in his own party opposed the treaty

ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS Vicious attacks against the Adams government made it difficult to complete normal business Many worried about revolution or complete disruption of the federal government due to criticisms Federalists in Congress used anti-French feelings to create a set of laws to control what they believed were threats to the government SEDITION ACT Law that set fines and jail terms for anyone “hindering the operation of the government” or expressing “false, scandalous, and malicious statements” PROBLEM: Many Democratic-Republican opponents were jailed, including newspaper editors, publishers, politicians

ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS Many Federalists felt that these new ideas / criticisms came from the newer immigrants, especially ones from Germany So, try to find a way to control immigration and contain the amount of new ideas coming into the country from “non-Americans” ALIEN ACTS Three laws that: (a) raised requirement of American citizenship from 5 to 14 years (b) allowed the President to deport any alien who was “undesirable” (c) allowed President to jail any alien who was “undesirable”

VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS Opponents argued the laws were a violation of free speech / First Amendment Jefferson and Madison believed the acts were a misuse of federal power Each wrote resolutions for states of Virginia and Kentucky Principle of NULLIFICATION = states have a right to nullify / ignore any act of Congress that the state decides is unconstitutional Threatened concept of check and balance and supremacy of federal law because it tried to give states the ability to ignore any federal law when they wanted