Foreign Policy in the Early Years

Major Foreign Policy Theories Neutrality: Staying out of it – not even choosing sides in an arguement Isolationism: Avoiding any agreements with other countries; just sticking to yourself Involvement: Getting involved in other nations’ situations/problems

What should President Adams do to protect American Ships? Problem: Britain refused to leave Ohio River Valley France wanted this to cause a war b/t America and Britain Chief Justice John Jay sent to Britain to settle = Jay Treaty  British pull troops from O.R.V =France views as a betrayal (they don’t like Britain) =French navy attacks American ships going to Britain (316 American ships taken!)

What should President Adams do to protect American Ships? Solution: Adams sent three reps. To France to end attacks Met by secret agents X, Y, and Z “NO PEACE TALKS w/OUT TRIBUTE!” Tribute = money paid in defeat or to protect America won’t pay U.S. built up army and navy and “half war” on sea

What should President Adams do to protect American Ships? Solution part 2: War not good for country  peace mission Napoleon stopped seizing ships End French/American alliance France won’t pay for ships they had taken Adams’s popularity down!

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Problem – Part 1: American ships came between French and British fights (each wanted to stop supplies from going to their enemy) Jefferson tried for neutrality Got worse; began to impress American sailors Impressment: Kidnapping Even open fired on one ship, the Chesapeake

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Solution – part 1: Embargo: Stop trading with other nations No foreign ships could enter U.S. ports and no American ships could leave except to trade with other Americans Hoped it would hurt France and Britain’s economy so much they would stop

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Outcome – part 1: Hurt America more than Europe Act repealed Attacks continued

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Problem – part 2: Pirates from northern Africa (Barbary States) were taking ships and holding crews for ransom In past, Washington and Adams both paid tribute to them Tripoli even declared war on U.S. Keep paying or war?

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Solution – part 2: Small fleet of warships to protect, ended up bombarding Tripoli with cannons The Philadelphia was captured and held for ransom Peace Treaty U.S. pay $60,000 ransom in exchange for a stop in tribute payments

How should President Jefferson deal with pirates? Outcome – Part 2: Other Barbary States continued their attacks 1815: America and Europe destroyed pirate bases

What should President Madison do to protect sailors and settlers? Problem: Britain and France still attacking American ships Madison Offers France and Britain to stop trading with the other if they stop the attacks Napoleon agrees but secretly doesn’t stop attacks Britain refuses Can we handle war with Britain? Southerners and Westerners wanted war (War Hawks) – thought it would make land west of Appalachians safer We thought Britain was supplying Native Americans with weapons via Canada

What should President Madison do to protect sailors and settlers? Problem cont. How do we know about the weapon supply? Two Shawnee Indians – Chief Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, the Prophet were sick of getting kicked off their land so they united Native Americans up and down Mississippi River Followed Tenskwatawa because: He claimed American guns couldn’t harm them Claimed the Great Spirit told them they would win the battle – could tell the future! Uniting is the only way protect/conquer Built a center – Prophetstown

What should President Madison do to protect sailors and settlers? Indiana Governor Harrison organized militia to march to Prophetstown Tenskwatawa decided to attack first (Tecumseh was away recruiting) Native Americans attacked them…but Harrison’s militia still won N.A. were not prepared because they believed they were harmless Also…. We found British guns!!

What should President Madison do to protect sailors and settlers? Solution: No more isolationism! Group of leaders called the War Hawks in the West and South fought for America to go to war Declared war on Britain on July 17, 1812….with only 7,000 men and 16 ships Reasons for War…RECAP! Westerners wanted to conquer part of Canada To stop the supply of weapons to the N.A. To stop the attack on American ships

The War of 1812 The War: Invasion of Canada Invade Canada = driven back 3 times Lands west of Appalachians safer b/c Tecumseh was killed…momentum down America burnt the city of York (modern day Toronto) – huge British loss

The War of 1812 The War: Washington D.C. British invaded Washington D.C. in 1814 and burnt the city! Revenge for Toronto Dolly Madison ran back into burning White House to grab a portrait of George Washington.

The War of 1812 The War: Baltimore On Sept. 13 1814, the Baltimore harbor was already being guarded by Americans so British were forced to shell/bomb the whole harbor (= red glow) American flag still flew next morning….”The Star-Spangled Banner.” Francis Scott Key wrote b/c he was so happy Eventually became our National Anthem!

The War of 1812 The War: New Orleans General Andrew Jackson was already defending New Orleans (think back – why so important?) Jackson and his men fought one of the strongest American battles 2000 British killed or wounded…only 20 Americans! =Andrew Jackson is a hero! Except… The war was already over! (Treaty was signed several weeks before) However…still brought a lot of American pride Able to beat British again…

The War of 1812 Outcome: Before the Battle of New Orleans, Treaty of Ghent was signed Treaty didn’t solve any of the issues that led to the war; pretty much But peace for a little while!

Recap on President Madison America’s 4th president Not a great people-person Wife, Dolley Madison, handled many of the social aspects of being president Even a large part of the reason her husband won the position Opened the door for women to become more involved Then, during the White House fire, ran back to get a portrait of George Washington