Foreign Policy during the Federalist Period: Foreign Policy during the Federalist Period: Britain or France?Britain or France?

France; France; Edmond GenetEdmond Genet Another emerging difference between the two parties was in Another emerging difference between the two parties was in

their Foreign Policies – esp. their perspectives on France their Foreign Policies – esp. their perspectives on France and Britainand Britain

Both parties supported the French Revolution at first, but Both parties supported the French Revolution at first, but as as it grew more radical (Reign of Terror) the Federalists pulled it grew more radical (Reign of Terror) the Federalists pulled back, while the Republicans continued to offer supportback, while the Republicans continued to offer support

The Republicans felt an obligation to give moral support to The Republicans felt an obligation to give moral support to the French since they supported the US against the British the French since they supported the US against the British in their Revolution (gratitude), felt that the French in their Revolution (gratitude), felt that the French Revolution was still a struggle for democracyRevolution was still a struggle for democracy

Some Republicans felt that under a Treaty with France, in Some Republicans felt that under a Treaty with France, in 1778, the US had a binding obligation – the agreement 1778, the US had a binding obligation – the agreement was to fight together until the British threat to both was was to fight together until the British threat to both was eliminated…extremists advocated military support for eliminated…extremists advocated military support for French French

The Federalists, condemned the horrors of the French The Federalists, condemned the horrors of the French Revolution, and then when Britain declared war on Revolution, and then when Britain declared war on France in 1793, supported (moral support only) the France in 1793, supported (moral support only) the British over the French British over the French

But the key leaders in both parties - Hamilton, Adams, But the key leaders in both parties - Hamilton, Adams, Jefferson, Madison – and Washington were all in Jefferson, Madison – and Washington were all in agreement that the US was not ready economically or agreement that the US was not ready economically or militarily to fight a war…should recognize the new militarily to fight a war…should recognize the new French Republic but stay out of warFrench Republic but stay out of war

Washington issued a Neutrality Proclamation in 1793Washington issued a Neutrality Proclamation in 1793

In 1794 Congress passed a Neutrality Act forbidding US In 1794 Congress passed a Neutrality Act forbidding US citizens to participate in the war and prohibiting the use of citizens to participate in the war and prohibiting the use of US soil as a base of operations for either side.US soil as a base of operations for either side.

French ignored the Neutrality Proclamation and Act; French ignored the Neutrality Proclamation and Act; sent Edmond Genet to the US - to get help for the French sent Edmond Genet to the US - to get help for the French cause from the general public (take adv. of Republican cause from the general public (take adv. of Republican sympathies). sympathies).

Landed in Charleston, tried to recruit American ship-Landed in Charleston, tried to recruit American ship-owners, merchants…and Nathaniel Greene to raise an owners, merchants…and Nathaniel Greene to raise an army and invade British Canada. army and invade British Canada.

Outraged, Washington demanded that the French Gov Outraged, Washington demanded that the French Gov recall him; but meanwhile the Jacobins took over Gov of recall him; but meanwhile the Jacobins took over Gov of France and Genet dared not returnFrance and Genet dared not return

He pleaded with Washington to allow him to stay – was He pleaded with Washington to allow him to stay – was granted political asylum, and given land granted political asylum, and given land

Political leaders were pleased that the first challenge to Political leaders were pleased that the first challenge to neutrality had been overcome successfullyneutrality had been overcome successfully

Britain; Jay’s TreatyBritain; Jay’s Treaty A second even greater challenge to its neutrality came A second even greater challenge to its neutrality came

shortly afterwards - this time from the British. shortly afterwards - this time from the British.

In spite of Hamilton’s known pro-British position / In spite of Hamilton’s known pro-British position / sentiments, Britain did not send an ambassador to the US sentiments, Britain did not send an ambassador to the US until 1791, issues of frontier forts, trade, loans had not yet until 1791, issues of frontier forts, trade, loans had not yet been resolved been resolved

In 1794 the British navy began seizing US ships trading In 1794 the British navy began seizing US ships trading with the French West Indies, and impressing the sailors. with the French West Indies, and impressing the sailors.

Also, the Canadian governor incited Indians on the Also, the Canadian governor incited Indians on the Northwest frontier, supplying them with weapons, to Northwest frontier, supplying them with weapons, to attack US settlers attack US settlers

As a result, Anti-British feelings were strong, esp. among As a result, Anti-British feelings were strong, esp. among extreme Jeffersonians, some of whom called for a extreme Jeffersonians, some of whom called for a declaration of war on Britain.declaration of war on Britain.

Hamilton was opposed to war with Britain - to pacify the Hamilton was opposed to war with Britain - to pacify the situation he decided to send John Jay (a Federalist), situation he decided to send John Jay (a Federalist), Supreme Ct. Chief Justice, to Britain to work out a Supreme Ct. Chief Justice, to Britain to work out a settlementsettlement

The British knew that Jay (as well as Hamilton) was The British knew that Jay (as well as Hamilton) was pro-British and that they could get a favorable pro-British and that they could get a favorable bargain with himbargain with him

Jay’s instruction were to: Jay’s instruction were to:

secure compensation for British assaults on US ships/sailorssecure compensation for British assaults on US ships/sailors secure an end to future impressmentsecure an end to future impressment demand withdrawal of British forces from the frontier posts demand withdrawal of British forces from the frontier posts

and an end to arming Native Americans thereand an end to arming Native Americans there negotiate a commercial treatynegotiate a commercial treaty

Jay’s Treaty, 1794Jay’s Treaty, 1794 He returned with a Treaty which included:He returned with a Treaty which included:

1. Britain would evacuate the frontier forts1. Britain would evacuate the frontier forts 2. Compensation for losses to ships / sailors2. Compensation for losses to ships / sailors 3. A Trade /Commercial Agreement 3. A Trade /Commercial Agreement 4. the US promised to repay pre-Revolution debts to Britain4. the US promised to repay pre-Revolution debts to Britain

But: no guarantee to end impressment and no guarantee But: no guarantee to end impressment and no guarantee to stop arming Native Americansto stop arming Native Americans

Jeffersonians rejected the Treaty as being too pro-Jeffersonians rejected the Treaty as being too pro-British while Hamiltonians supported it on the British while Hamiltonians supported it on the grounds that it prevented war with Britain and grounds that it prevented war with Britain and included a good trade deal. included a good trade deal.

Federalist controlled Congress voted to accept itFederalist controlled Congress voted to accept it

Spain: Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795Spain: Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795 One unintentional outcome of the Treaty was its impact the One unintentional outcome of the Treaty was its impact the

US relationship with Spain – led indirectly to end of US relationship with Spain – led indirectly to end of conflict with Spain over the Mississippi and Florida conflict with Spain over the Mississippi and Florida regions.regions.

Spain, fearful of an American -British alliance against her Spain, fearful of an American -British alliance against her territory in Nth America, negotiated a treaty with the US, territory in Nth America, negotiated a treaty with the US, giving the US giving the US

unlimited rights to use the Mississippi River and the port of New unlimited rights to use the Mississippi River and the port of New OrleansOrleans

fixed the border between Florida and the US, along the 31st parallel, fixed the border between Florida and the US, along the 31st parallel, (no longer claimed land North of Gulf of Mexico)(no longer claimed land North of Gulf of Mexico)

required Spanish authorities to prevent the Indians in Florida region required Spanish authorities to prevent the Indians in Florida region from raiding across the border into the USfrom raiding across the border into the US

After two terms in office Washington decided to retire in After two terms in office Washington decided to retire in 1796 (began a 2 term tradition – until 221796 (began a 2 term tradition – until 22ndnd Amendment, Amendment, 1946 made it mandatory) 1946 made it mandatory)

Federalists tried to persuade him to run again - felt their Federalists tried to persuade him to run again - felt their party was breaking up, that Washington’s continuation party was breaking up, that Washington’s continuation could keep it together. could keep it together.

Washington wrote a "Farewell Address" in which he:Washington wrote a "Farewell Address" in which he: Warned about the "insidious wiles of foreign influence" - a Warned about the "insidious wiles of foreign influence" - a

warning against permanent international entanglements (as with warning against permanent international entanglements (as with France in 1778) that could drag the US into WarFrance in 1778) that could drag the US into War

Warned about the dangers of emerging political partiesWarned about the dangers of emerging political parties

Was praised by Federalists for helping them to establish Was praised by Federalists for helping them to establish strong stable central govt. and avoid foreign warsstrong stable central govt. and avoid foreign wars

Presidential Election of 1796 was between Jefferson Presidential Election of 1796 was between Jefferson (Burr as running mate) and Adams (Washington’s vice (Burr as running mate) and Adams (Washington’s vice President: chosen ahead of the quarrelsome-President: chosen ahead of the quarrelsome-confrontational Hamilton) with Pinckney as running confrontational Hamilton) with Pinckney as running matemate

First contested Presidential Election – (4 candidates – on First contested Presidential Election – (4 candidates – on same ballot, one vote) same ballot, one vote)