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Washington's neutrality proclamation was issued in response to pressure from both Britain and France to help support each side in their war. As Washington believed that we needed to not get involved in any wars so that we could help build up our economy and military, and handle our domestic affairs, he decided to not help either side, even though the U.S. and France were in a defense alliance that was signed in 1778. The violation of this proclamation helped lead to the war of 1812. -
To be able to have enough men to man their fleets for their wars, the British started to impress American sailors into the Royal Navy by using the excuse that they're deserters, even though a lot of them were not former members. This was one of the main reasons for Congress declaring war on Britain in 1812 over France as France was not taking sailors as much as Britain. -
The Jay Treaty was signed as a way to address problems between the U.S. and Britain. The United States wanted to be able to trade at British ports but were not being allowed, British soldiers were still being stationed in forts in North American territory that they were not supposed to be at, and the seizure of American sailors and their cargo. America had to pay back their unpaid war debt to British merchants from the war. The treaty led to the war as it did not sustain peace for long. -
Washington's Farewell Address was to conclude his presidency, after he decided to only serve two years when he could have served more. In his speech, he shows what he thinks should happen in the future while he is not in power, and tries to establish a precedent for future presidents. In it, he mentions unity, and national and domestic threats, threat of political parties, and warning of foreign entanglements. -
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was an important event in the buildup of the war as it raised American support to go to war with Britain. The defeat of the USS Chesapeake and the killing and seizing of Americans and deserters like Jenkin Ratford, who caused the attack as Britain wanted revenge for his desertion. It united both Republicans and Federalists together with wanting war with Britain.