Foreign Affairs in the Young Republic

Jay Treaty 1796

John Jay convinced the British to leave the Ohio River Valley and pay back their debts to America for seizing ships
France disapproved of the Jay Treaty

XYZ Affair

To punish US, France seized American ships that carried cargo to Britain Adams sent 3 reps to France, but Foreign Minister refused to meet Instead, sent 3 secret agents (X, Y, and Z) to collect a bribe for France Angered the Americans and the U.S. created the Navy Dept. and built 12 new war ships Undeclared war--Americans captured 80+ French ships

Dilemma 1: What should President Adams do to protect American Ships?

A. Request that Congress declare war on France immediately. B. Make a military alliance with Britain and try to beat the French. C. Continue to build stronger defenses for American shipping, and negotiate with the French. D. Stop American shipping to avoid conflict.

Outcome?
Adams

sent peace mission to France Napoleon ordered the end to seizure of US ships Agreed to end Frances alliance with US Americans agreed not to ask France to pay for all the ships it seized

Impressment
Britain

and France at war again Both began seizing American ships Britain began impressing (kidnapping) American sailors to serve in British navy

Piracy
Barbary

coast (N. Africa) pirates seized ships and held them for ransom Washington and Adams paid tributes in exchange for safety of US ships By 1800, US had paid almost 2 million in tribute, but Barbary States wanted more Barbary state declare war on US

Dilemma 2: How should President Jefferson deal with pirates?

A.

Pay the increased tribute as requested and avoid bloodshed. B. Send a peace envoy to negotiate. C. Send troops to force the pirates to allow American ships to trade freely in the Mediterranean. D. Order American shipping out of the Mediterranean to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Outcome?
During

war with Barbary States, pirates capture crew of the Philadelphia and hold them for ransom. US pays $60,000 dollars and pirates agree to stop demanding tribute payments US and European forces combine to destroy pirate bases

Outcome?
Jefferson

proposes an embargo-complete halt in trade w/other nations Hurt US more than other nations Jefferson stopped the embargo and Britain and France kept attacking US ships

Dilemma 3: What Should President

Madison Do to Protect Sailors and Settlers?
A.

Declare war on Great Britain and attack the British on land and sea. B. Declare war on Great Britain, but only wage a war at sea. C. Delay declaring war on Great Britain until the country is prepared to win. D. Do not declare war on Great Britain. The risks are not worth it.

Dilemma 4: What Should President Monroe Do to Support the New Latin American Nations?

A. Join in an alliance with Great Britain to support Latin American independence. B. Do not join an alliance with Great Britain, and warn Europe to stay out of Latin America. C. Allow the Latin American countries to defend themselves. D. Work to create an alliance with all of the Latin American countries to defend their independence against European interference.