Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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Transcript of Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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8/14/2019 Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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Ali Ghafoori
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)
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Lecture Date: February 25, 2008
Foreign Policy and Party Politics, 1793-96:
Hamilton and Jefferson differed over foreign policy with Great Britain,
France and Spain.
Jefferson was pro-French given their support for the American Revolution.
In addition, the US had a permanent treaty with France (1778) that ensured
US protection of French colonies in case of war.
Hamilton was pro-British: he had an affinity for their elitist and stable
government structure as well their expanding industrial based economy.
Britain however had refused to send a delegation to the US.
The Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian differences over France was aggravated
by the French Revolution.
By 1794, the French Revolution took a radical turn and anti-aristocratic
elements came to power. The Federalists in the US turned against the
French Revolution.
The French war with Britain created an urgency in formulating a foreign
policy. Washington declared neutrality in 1793.
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8/14/2019 Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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Ali Ghafoori
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)
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Hamilton wanted the permanent treaty with France rescinded. He argued
that the treaty was signed with a different regime. Jefferson argued that the
treaty was signed with the nation of France and not just the regime and was
therefore valid.
As a neutral party, the US reserved the right to trade in non-military goods
with ports that were not blockaded.
American neutrality was strained when Edmund Genet arrived in the US
and began to use American soil to raise support for the French cause (by
retaining privateers for France in American ports). Genets activities caused
considerable tensions and embarrassment for both the Federalists and the
Democrats.
British Violations:
Trade with French colonies in the Caribbean picked up pace once Britain
wrested naval control away from the French. This opened the way for
American trade with French colonies. The British responded by
impounding American ships and declaring that rage not open during peace
time can not be pursued during war time.
In the Northwest Territory, the British continued to maintain fortresses and
supported Indians in their wars against settlers. The presence of British
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8/14/2019 Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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Ali Ghafoori
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)
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forts violated American independence. Several attempts to dislodge the
British resulted in disaster.
In 1794 an army was sent under Anthony Wayne. In the Battle of Fallen
Timbers, Wayne forced the Indians to cede their territory in Ohio (after
demolishing their fort and forcing them to retreat and seek refuge in a
British fort).
British violations were an embrassment to the Federalists and Hamilton
prevailed on Washington to seek a diplomatic settlement.
Jays Treaty:
This materialized in Jays Treaty of 1795. Under this treaty, the British
agreed to withdraw from the Northwest Territory in return for the USs
abandonment of neutral claim rights.
The treaty was very divisive and further cemented the partisanship
amongst Federalists and Republicans. The latter saw the treaty as excessive
capitulation by the US. The public was also overwhelmingly against the
treaty but it was approved by the Senate.
The Treaty negatively affected alliances with Spain and France. France
broke off diplomatic relations with the US.
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8/14/2019 Lecture 6 - Foreign Policy and Party Politics 1793 to 96
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Ali Ghafoori
America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)
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Pinckneys Treaty, 1795:
In response to Jays Treaty, Spain sought to reaffirm their colonial holdings
through Pinckneys Treaty. This treaty established intentions of friendship
between the US and Spain. It also defined the boundaries of the US with
Spanish colonies and guaranteed US navigation rights on the Mississippi
river.
Whiskey Rebellion, 1794:
Western Pennsylvania farmers refused to pay the Whiskey Tax. Hamilton
used the incident as a pretext to demonstrate the national governments
power. Washington marched into Western Pennsylvania with 12,000
militia but the so called rebel forces did not materialize. Eventually, some
farmers were arrested and two were sentenced to death (the farmers were
later pardoned by Washington).
Although ultimately a very minor incident, the divisiveness over the issue
created serious doubt amongst some about the viability of the party system
and the republic. The fighting and opposition to the fighting formed along
party lines with Federalists generally favoring military action whereas
Republicans were more sympathetic to the farmers.