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Proclamation of Neutrality
Revolutionary France declared war on Great Britain in February 1793. With that declaration, France was at war with almost all of Europe. News of this proclamation reached the United States in April, and they were faced with a difficult decision to make. On April 22, the United States issued a proclamation of neutrality. George Washington and his presidential cabinet agreed that the country was too young, with a weak militia, and problems of their own, so the United States should stay neutral. -
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XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident that occurred between the United States and France. To prevent war with Britain, the U.S. signed the Jay Treaty in 1795. This treaty prevented nations that were hostile with Britain from trading in US ports. France was one of these nations, and retaliated by seizing US ships. The US refused to pay money to meet French Foreign Minister Talleyrand, so it was impossible to negotiate a compromise. -
Convention of 1800
The Convention of 1800 was a treaty between the US and France to end hostilities from the Quasi-War. . Both sides wanted to disregard the incident and continue their peaceful alliance, because neither side could afford another war. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition of the Louisiana territory by the US from France. The US acquired about 828,000,000 square miles, and nearly doubled the size of the republic. President Jefferson bought this land from Napoleon for $15 million, and it was one of his biggest accomplishments. -
Embargo Act
President Jefferson passed the Embargo Act to keep the US out of foreign troubles. To keep the US neutral, this act halted trade between the US and the two warring nations, France and Britain. However, this act affected the US economy very negatively, and caused many hardships. -
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was between the United States and Great Britain. It was caused by British attempts to restrict trade, and the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen. The Americans suffered many defeats, and celebrated many successes.The Treaty of Ghent ultimately ended this war and returned both sides territories back to them. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was the peace treaty that ended the War of 1812, also known as the Second War for Independence, between the United States and the United Kingdom. This treaty officially ended the war, without presenting gains to either side, and returned each side the territory they possessed prior to the war. This treaty allowed the US to defend it's self, and gain recognition and respect from other nations. -
Monroe Doctrine
President James Monroe stated this doctrine during his seventh annual State of the Union Address. The doctrine stated that further European colonization in the North and South Americas would be viewed as acts of aggression by the US, and cause them to intervene. However, the US would not meddle with existing European colonization. This doctrine made it clear that the US was a respectable and powerful nation.
