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Proclomation of Neutrality
In order to stay out of the troubles between France and Great Britain, President Washington issued the Proclomation of Neutrality stating that America would be neutral throughout their war. -
XYZ Affair
In an attempt to defuse tensions between the US and France, President Adams sent two American diplomats to meet with French officials. The French foreign minister sent three agents ( X, Y, and Z) to demand a payment of money from the Americans before French officials would agree to meet with them. The United States saw this as bribery and it angered most Americans! -
Convention of 1800
The Convention of 1800 was a peace agreement that restored peace between the US and France after to "XYZ Affairs." -
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803, President Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase. This was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon of France. This $15 million dollar purchase doubled the size of the US. -
Embargo Act
In an attempt to avoid international problems, President Jefferson asked Congress to pass the Embargo Act that essentially stopped US trade with other nations. -
War of 1812
In 1812, foreign crisis faced American President James Madison when the British took on the nasty habit of taking American sailors off of their ships and forcing them into British Navy service. This was known as “impressment.” American leaders did not like this and began to call for war against Great Britain in order to stop this practice. These battles fought between Great Britain and the US made up the War of 1812, which lasted until 1814. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814, which ended the War of 1812. This war ended without presenting any gains for either side. Interestingly enough, one of the most significant battles was fought after the war was over in January of 1815. Unaware that a treaty had been signed ending the war, the Battle of New Orleans, led by General Andrew Jackson, raged. Even though outnumbered by British forces, Jackson’s troops defeated the British, which gave the US great pride. -
Monroe Doctorine
The Monroe Doctrine stated that the US would not tolerate European intervention in the affairs of any independent nation in the Americas. The Monroe Doctrine also stated that the Americas were no longer open to further colonization and that the United States would view such attempts as an act of aggression! The President’s “hands-off the western hemisphere” assertion made it clear that the US had become a powerful nation in world affairs.
