Chapter 6 Section 2: The Struggle Over Foreign Policy

Objectives Explain how territorial expansion brought Americans into conflict with the British and with Native Americans. Describe American relations with Britain, France, and Spain. Analyze how the political parties’ debates over foreign policy further divided them.

Terms and People Little Turtle – Native American war chief who defeated forces sent to stop his attacks on settlers in the 1790s Battle of Fallen Timbers – 1794 victory over Native Americans by General Anthony Wayne, led to the Treaty of Greenville and American control over Ohio French Revolution – 1789 republican uprising in France against the monarchy that led to public executions and war with Britain

Terms and People (continued) John Jay – Chief Justice who negotiated a 1794 treaty with Britain that removed British soldiers from American lands, but maintained restrictions on American shipping XYZ Affair – incident in which French officials demanded bribes to stop French seizures of American shipping Alien and Sedition Acts – 1798 Federalist laws to restrict public criticism and deport immigrants, most of whom supported Democratic Republicans

Terms and People (continued) Virginia and Kentucky resolutions – hinted that states had the power to nullify federal laws like the Alien and Sedition Acts, which some Democratic Republicans thought were unconstitutional Aaron Burr – In 1800, tied Jefferson in the electoral college but became Vice President after Hamilton urged Federalist congressmen to back Jefferson; later killed Hamilton in a duel

What do you think are some challenges that a new country faces?

How did foreign policy challenges shape American government? U.S. keep peace with Native Americans, control its borders, and establish itself internationally. Americans debated the right response to the European war and to the French Revolution.

The new nation faced challenges on its Northwestern frontier The British continued to man forts along the Great Lakes and supplied Indian tribes with guns. Chief Little Turtle defeated American forces as the Miami Indians fought American expansion in the Ohio Valley.

In 1794, General Anthony Wayne defeated Native Americans in the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Treaty of Greenville gave the U.S. control of Ohio.

In 1789, Americans were divided by the French Revolution. Hamilton and Federalists feared Democratic Republicans might want public executions. Jefferson decried the violence but publicly admired the French Revolution’s principles.

Americans worried about the British and French war as most of America’s imports and tariff revenue came from British goods. Britain began seizing American trading ships at sea. Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality Americans were outraged but powerless to respond.

Washington sent John Jay to London in 1794 to negotiate. Jay Treaty was narrowly approved by the Senate. Federalists praised it, but Democratic Republicans attacked it.

Britain agreed to give up forts on American soil, but Americans had to repay pre-Revolutionary War debts still owed to Britain. Restrictions remained on American shipping, which angered many Americans.

The Pinckney Treaty with Spain allowed Americans to use the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. With access to the Mississippi, removal of the British, and defeat of the Native Americans, thousands of settlers poured into the west.

President Washington chose to retire in 1796. He felt that voluntary retirement after 2 terms would set an important precedent for the peaceful transfer of the office. Felt his successors should temper political strife in favor of national unity. Felt Americans should avoid “entangling alliances” with European powers.

Washington helped the young nation survive early tests. As first President, Washington: Established the government Opened western land for settlers Kept the nation out of war Developed foreign trade Put the nation on solid financial footing.

John Adams was elected President in 1796. Defeated Thomas Jefferson who became his vice president. The vote was largely along regional lines with the North favoring Adams, the South favoring Jefferson.

Adams faced a crisis with France. Like Britain, France began seizing American ships. Adams sent envoys to negotiate. French officials identified as X, Y, and Z demanded bribes for the right to negotiate. Americans were angered by XYZ Affair and feelings against France grew.

In 1798 Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts making it a crime to criticize the government. Immigrants, most of whom tended to favor Democratic Republicans, could be deported.

The Federalists claimed the acts were necessary to stop unhealthy criticism that was undermining trust in the government. Democratic Republicans charged the acts violated the Constitution and were aimed to silence the opposition.

In 1798 and 1799, Jefferson and Madison attacked the Sedition Act as unconstitutional in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions. They suggested that states can “nullify” or reject unconstitutional laws.

Shortly before the 1800 election, President Adams sought peace with France. This angered other Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton who then worked against Adams’ bid for re-election. Despite a tie in the electoral college, Thomas Jefferson won the presidency.

The election of 1800 changed the balance of power and ended the Federalist era in government. First peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another.

Section 2 Assessment What were some foreign policy issues taking place? (199-200) What challenges did the French Revolution bring to U.S.? (199) What did George Washington do as the nation’s 1st President? (201) What was the significance of the 1800 presidential election? (203) What was John Jay known for during the early years of the U.S.? (200)

Keep peace with Native Americans, control its borders, Keep peace with Native Americans, control its borders, and establish itself internationally, how to deal with French Revolution 2. Fear of public executions in the U.S. 3. Established the government, Opened western land for settlers, Kept the nation out of war, Developed foreign trade, Put the nation on solid financial footing, established 2 term precedent 4.End to Federalist era, start of Democratic-Republican Era 5. 1st Chief Justice, sent to compromise with Britain, Jay’s Treaty