1. Lesson 6.3 American Foreign Policy
Unit 6: Foreign Policy
Lesson 6.3 American Foreign Policy

2. Essential Question
How did early American foreign policy help shape the development of our nation?

3. Key Vocabulary
Embargo Act of 1807

4. Activation
What does “foreign policy” mean? What are examples of foreign policy?
Three dance moves 1. 2. 3.

5. Policy of Neutrality
The French Revolution began in This put the USA in a bad position with France declaring war on Britain.
The U.S. saw oceans as a protection from European conflict, but ironically, our trade drew us into the European conflict.
President Washington declared the U.S. neutral, but the British did not respect our neutrality.
The British continued to seize American ships carrying goods to France.
They also occupied forts on U.S. land.

6. Jay’s Treaty
Washington Sent John Jay to Britain in order to negotiate. There he signed “Jay’s Treaty.”
Jay’s Treaty said that Britain could continue to seize American ships in exchange for “most favored nation” status.
The treaty prevented war and protected the economy, but it also reflected American weakness at the time.
Positive = Led To Pinckney’s Treaty = said that the USA had the right to use the Mississippi from Spain.

7. Quasi-War with France
Angered by Jay’s Treaty, France began seizing American ships going to Britain.
The XYZ Affair angers Americans…”millions For defense, but not one cent for tribute.”
In 1798, France and the U.S. began fighting an undeclared war at sea known as the “Quasi-War with France”
Both sides gave up fighting in 1800The U.S. gave up claims for damages in return from being released from the Treaty of

8. Assessment Prompt 1
1 = How is Jay’s Treaty a good example of American Foreign Policy during our early years? (1790’s)
2 = The phrase “millions for defense, but not 1 cent for tribute” refers to what episode in American History? What does this mean?

9. Tom Richey’s Version of the Story

10. The Louisiana Purchase
During the Jefferson Administration, Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in order to fund his conquest of Europe. tch?v=Bs2w4lwQRtc

11. Assessment Prompt 2
Summarize the Louisiana Purchase in one sentence.

12. Rising International Tensions
Jefferson also had to contend with pirate raids against American ships, as well as keeping American out of a war between Britain and France.

13. Economic Warfare
American merchants were caught in the middle between a war raging between France and Britain.
American merchants would lose their goods.

14. Impressment
The British claimed the right to search American ships for deserters.
On many occasions, they impressed American citizens as well.
Impressment was essentially a legalized form of kidnapping.

15. The Embargo Act of 1807
Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807 which halted all trade between the United States and Europe.
This act hurt the U.S. more than it did Europe.

16. Assessment Prompt 3
What does the Embargo Act of 1807 say about our Foreign Policy in 1807?

17. Activity
Research the major Foreign Policy issues (list 1!!!!) for the following Presidents:
(1) George Washington (For example: google foreign policy of George Washington)
(2) John Adams
(3) Thomas Jefferson
(4) James Madison

18. Journal
In Your Journal, Summarize What You Have Learned Today About Early American Foreign Policy.
How is Jay’s Treaty a good example of the complexities of dealing with other nations?
Summarize what led to the XYZ affair and its effects on American Foreign policy.
What issues did the Embargo Act attempt to solve? Was it effective in solving those issues?
Explain in your own words the goal of our Foreign Policy from 1789 to 1812.