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Proclamation of Neutrality
In 1793, President George Washington issues the Proclamation of Neutrality because he feels that the United States should try to "extend commercial relations, (but) to have with them as little political connection as possible" with foreign governments. At this time he does not want to be in the conflict between Great Britain and France. -
XYZ Affair
In order to help foreign relations with France, President Adams sent Charles Pickney to France but Charles Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, refused to recognize him. President Adams appointed a commission to France, consisting of Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry. Talleyrand sent three French low level government officials to meet them and they suggested that Talleyrand would agree to the treaty for a bribe and a signifigant loan to France. This outraged the American public. -
Convention of 1800
The Convention of 1800 ended the Quasi-War between France and the United States. France returned American ships that were captured during the conflict. It also ended the alliance between France and the United States that had begun during the Revolution War but it did not affect trade between the two countries. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was arranged by President Thomas Jefferson. It acquired the Louisiana territory for United States from France in 1803. It was about 828,000 square miles and the US paid less than three cents per acre. -
Embargo Act
President Thomas Jefferson asked Congress to pass the Embargo Act. This act stopped trade bewteen France and Great Britain. The Embargo Act actually hurt the American economy and this made many American's mad. -
War of 1812
Two major causes of the War of 1812 were impressment of American seamen and the America's desire to expand. During the War of 1812, Washington, DC was captured and burned. The war lasted for about two and a half years and was ended by the Treaty of Ghent. -
Treaty of Ghent
This was the treaty that ended the War of 1812. It didn't give any side anything more. It only re-established the boundaries that were there before the war. -
Monroe Doctrine
"The American continents … are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European powers." President James Monroe said this is his annual address to Congress to state that Europe had no rights to American land. This helped shape the foreign policy form then on.
