-
Jay's Treaty
Instead of the English leaving the American's territory, they were taking over American ships and making American sailors fight in their war against France. Washington was neutral in foreign affairs, so he sent John Jay to England to work out their issues and ultimately the Jay Treaty was conceived. The point of the treaty, was to avoid war through the removal of English control over ports in the west, the right to trade in the West Indies, and the repayment of harm done to American ships. -
XYZ Affair
France and America were allies, yet the U.S. refused to aid their Revolution and Jay’s Treaty went against their alliance. As a result, France took over American ships. Charles C. Pinckney was sent by Washington to act as a negotiater, but France refused to participate. John Adams sent three delegates to France to avoid a war. Three men (X, Y, and Z) demanded money from the foreign minister and the French government in order to meet. -
Quasi-War
America was upset with France from the XYZ affair, so Congress made a naval attack on French ships, which also broke their treaty with France. The British, being in war against the French gladly assisted America. Talleyrand, the French minister, believed avoiding war was in France's best interest. Therefore, Adams sent a new representative and the alliance was annulled with the bargain that France wouldn’t have to pay for damages done to American ships. The war ended on November 19, 1800. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson authorized the purchase of the Louisiana territory even though he wasn't sure whether or not it was Constitutional. He allowed for Robert Livingston and James Monroe to sign the Louisiana Purchase Treaty in Paris for the price of $15 million. Although, Jefferson wasn't sure if he had the constiututional right to purchase land, he envisioned the profit that America coud gain from such land, which ended up being very resourceful. -
Treaty of Ghent
The British denied the U.S. access to their ports for being neutral and captured American sailors to fight in their war against France. Henry Clay, a "War Hawk" wanted to go to war with Britain, so President James Madison asked permission from Congress and a war was declared. The Treaty of Ghent ended War of 1812. The treaty claimed that Britain would give up its territory in the Northwest and that both countries would stop slave trade. -
Adams-Onis Treaty
The Americans and the Spanish were constantly fighting for the Florida territory. Spain could have easily kept their land if they weren't already caught up with affairs in Europe. Therfore, Prime Minister Otis made the decision to sell the territory to the U.S. for $5 million, rather than losing without profit. -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Madison wrote the Monroe Doctrine to warn all foreign countries not to intervene with the U.S. The doctrine also prohibited European countries from colonizing in the American territories. -
Mexican-American War
The U.S. gained all of the territory previously owned by Mexico in this war. At this time, the belief of Manifest Destiny was very popular amongst the American people. Americans believed that it was their right and destiny to expand their country, thus resulting in them invading in the Mexican territories. The war ended in 1848. -
Ostend Manifesto
Three diplomats were sent to Ostend, Belgium to try and see if they could recieve Cuba from Spain. The Americans wanted the land partly because of their views of Manifest Destiny. The other reason is because Spain was considering emancipating Cuba and Southerners feared the problems that could arouse from a land ruled by slaves. If Spain didn't give it up willingly, the U.S. would take it by force.
