FOREIGN POLICY: JUST HOW IMPORTANT?

The United States of America's foreign policy was not only being created from scratch in the 1790's, but was also setting many precedents that would continue on for centuries to come. George Washington and John Adam's decisions, along with those of congress and the judicial branch, were crucial in this fragile era. The fledgling country, too young yet to pose a serious threat to international affairs, was set adrift admist a warring, turbulent world. In addition, America's economic status relied heavily on international trade, further heightening the importance of foreign policy. Although not usually as prevalent as domestic affairs, the foreign affairs of the 1790's were definitely equally important.

In 1793, British-supported slave uprisings began in the French Caribbean, alarming American southerners about their own futures and the future of their slavery. This bitterness between the French and British sparked controversy among Americans as well; Northerners, trade-oriented, believed that the two nations should improve relations in order for trade to prosper, while the Southerners, on the other hand, hadn't much preference as to who made peace with who. When France declared war on England and Spain in 1793 and tried to draw their American allies into the conflict, George Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality, which kicked off the foreign policy of the 1790's by declaring the United States to be a neutral country in response to the French pressure, much like Switzerland is today.

Meanwhile, Edmond Charles Edouard Genet, known as Citizen Genet, had arrived in the United States from France and begun to sow seeds of discord among Americans. He blatantly opposed Washington's Neutrality Proclamation, and urged Americans to come to France's aid by seizing Spanish forts in the Americas and plundering British ships on the high seas. Washington swiftly closed American ports to Genet's "buccaneers" and requested Genet to recall his damaging statements, but it was too late; the damage had been done.

King George III was enraged at Genet's attacks on his seafaring vessels, and issued orders for his navy to confiscate any American ships in the Caribbean trading with the French. As a result, over 250 American ships were captured by the British, "a high price for Genet's troublemaking." (The Enduring Vision, p.224) The British also began to routinely inspect the crews of American ships, "drafting" English defectors and even some Americans back into English naval service. Known as impressment, this act by England enraged many Americans, and severely tested the national character.

The third major conflict with the British resulting from Genet's rabble-rousing was the British challenge for Western lands in America. British and Canadians in America began to not only increase their forces and construct new forts, they also ignited Indians to their cause. Washington, desparate for peace, sent his Chief Justice John Jay to Great Britain, Thomas Pinckney to Spain, and General Anthony Wayne to the Indian lands, all in an effort to soothe the nation's enemies. Wayne ended up in battle with the indians and thoroughly defeated them which allowed Jay to succeed in London. Jay's Treaty entailed that all British troops were to withdraw from America, and gained access to the West Indies for American ships. Likewise, Pinckney succeeded in Spain as well. Pinckney's Treaty of 1796 won Americans duty-free access to the world via the Mississippi River and recognized everything above the 31st line of latitude to be the United States. These events secured the United States' boundary integrity well into the next century.

Problems with France continued, however. In 1797, France began to become alarmed at America's "peace" with England and Spain. They believed the United States to be assissting the two countries in the war against them, and reacted radically. First of all, the French hung each and every American found on a British ship. John Adams hoped to avoid war with the French, so he sent a peace delegation consisting of three unnamed diplomats (X, Y, and Z) to France to negotiate a peace treaty. French responded by demanding $250,000 from the US before any negotiations would begin. This ignited bitter disputes among Republicans and Federalists. Republicans tried to excuse the French actions, while Federalists cried for war. With Federalists the majority in Congress, the American army tripled to ten thousand, and an undeclared naval war began in the Caribbean. Ninety-three French ships were seized, losing only one American ship, and the British, seeing Americans as allies, extended their naval protection over American ships as well. In the end, not only did France lose a significant portion of their naval power, they also never recieved their bribe money.

Foreign policy of the 1790's was extremely important to the United States. First of all, it secured the country's economic stability by improving trade by opening up the Mississippi River as well as the West Indies. Second, it eliminated all border disputes with the Spanish in the South, as well as with the British, Canadians, and Indians in the North. In addition, foreign policy during this period set innumerous precedents. In conclusion, although naturally not as common as domestic affairs, these early foreign affairs were equally, if not more, important in the long run.