The Forging of the New Republic United States

Foreign Relations The Treaty of 1783 ended the Revolutionary War, but the British did not act like it: Maintained forts Encouraged Indian attacks Stopped American ships at sea Washington’s solution? Send Chief Justice John Jay to work out a solution with England.

Jay’s Treaty… Was universally hated… The Americans felt like they had “won the war but lost the peace.” The French felt betrayed. The British could no longer hassle America. France’s reaction? The foreign minister, Tallyrand, sent three agents, X, Y, and Z…to ask for a $250,000 bribe, just to talk.

Jay’s Treaty, cont. The “XYZ affair” led to a “fake war” (Quasi-War) between America and France, and America got a famous quote. When asked to pay the bribe, the ambassador to France, Charles Pinckney, said, “No, no, not a penny.” Later he was misquoted as saying: “Millions for defense, but not one penny for tribute!”

“Entangling Alliances with None!” Jefferson, as secretary of state, and Washington, as president, had a low opinion of alliances with the Europeans. In Washington’s farewell address he said: Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation.—Hence she must be engaged in frequent controversies, the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns…Why quit our own to stand upon foreign ground?—Why, by interweaving our destiny with that of any part of Europe, entangle our peace and prosperity in the toils of European ambition, rivalship, interest, humor, or caprice?

“Entangling Alliances with None!” Jefferson’s famous line was found in his Inaugural Address: About to enter, fellow-citizens, on the exercise of duties which comprehend everything dear and valuable to you, it is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our Government, and consequently those which ought to shape its Administration. I will compress them within the narrowest compass they will bear, stating the general principle, but not all its limitations. Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none…

The History of U.S. Alliances 1812 – The U.S. fights England alone 1823 – The Monroe Doctrine is established – The Civil War is fought alone 1898 – America takes over Spanish possessions in the Spanish-American War 1917 – America joins Allies in World War II 1918 – America avoids the League of Nations 1941 – America is attacked at Pearl Harbor 1945 – America founds the United Nations 1947 – Truman Doctrine (against Communism) 1980 – Carter Doctrine (oil/Persian gulf) 2001 – Bush Doctrine (preemptive war) 2013 – Obama Doctrine?

“Lewis and Clark” Jefferson’s views were tested in 1803 by Napoleon Bonaparte’s unexpected failure to take the island nation of Hispaniola. Napoleon needed money, and offered to sell French America for $15 million when Jefferson asked to buy New Orleans. There were several problems with this, from Jefferson’s point of view…

“Lewis and Clark” 1) 2) 3) 4)

“Lewis and Clark” After six months, Jefferson agreed, and the deal was done. In 1804, he contracted with Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore and report on the “soil and face of the country.” They took along 45 men and met Sakakawea, the Mandan wife of a French interpreter.

“Lewis and Clark” Excerpts from first-hand accounts: The first white men of your people who came to our country were named Lewis and Clark. They brought many things that our people had never seen. They talked straight. These men were very kind. -Chief Joseph Derected my Servent York with me to kill a Buffalow near the boat from a numbr. then Scattered in the plains, I saw at one view near the river at least 500 Buffalow, those animals have been in view all day feeding in the Plains.

“Lewis and Clark”

“Lewis and Clark” They returned in 1806, having travelled 4000 miles to the Pacific Ocean.

“Lewis and Clark” The results? America doubled in size, at a cost of about 3 cents per acre. (15 new states) New mineral, plant, and animal resources became available. New Orleans became the premier port in America, because of the Mississippi River. Native Americans extended their conflict with white settlers from America.