Ali Ghafoori 1

America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)

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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America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)

Hamilton wanted the permanent treaty with France rescinded.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). Genet’s 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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America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)

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.

Jay’s Treaty:

This materialized in Jay’s Treaty of 1795. Under this treaty, the British

agreed to withdraw from the Northwest Territory in return for the US’s

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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America in the Aftermath of the Revolution (1783-1800)

Pinckney’s Treaty, 1795:

In response to Jay’s Treaty, Spain sought to reaffirm their colonial holdings

through Pinckney’s 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.