Chapter 10: Launching the New Nation
Section 3: Troubles Abroad
U.S. History
The French Revolution
• July 14, 1789: French Revolution begins with the Storming of the Bastille
The French Revolution
• Monarchy overthrown & republic established
The French Revolution
• American Reaction
– Support among those who believed France was establishing a democratic republic – Displeasure among those worried about riots & violence
U.S. Neutrality
•France & Britain go to war
•Americans divided
U.S. Neutrality
•Neutrality Proclamation—stated that the U.S. should remain neutral in all European conflicts
Citizen Genet
• Edmond Genet sent as France’s representative to America • Traveled across country seeking support for France Edmond Genet
Citizen Genet
• Privateers—private ships authorized by a nation to attack its enemies • Washington warns Genet his actions threaten U.S. neutrality
Citizen Genet
• Genet says he will seek to have Washington overruled
• Pro-French Thomas Jefferson agrees Genet should be sent home
Jay’s Treaty
• Threats to American neutrality:
– 1793: Britain seizes US ships carrying food from the French West Indies – Captured merchant ships
Jay’s Treaty
• Threats to American neutrality:
– Rumors about British officers encouraging Indian uprisings – Britain never abandoned frontier forts
Jay’s Treaty
• John Jay: Chief Justice sent to London to negotiate an agreement to avoid war
John Jay
Jay’s Treaty
•Jay’s Treaty—made to avoid a war between Britain and the United States
Jay’s Treaty
• British Concessions
– Pay for damages to seized American ships – Small American ships allowed to trade in Caribbean – Abandon frontier forts
Jay’s Treaty
• Unresolved issues:
– Nothing noted about large ships – Native American issue unaddressed
– Slaves freed during Revolutionary War not returned
Jay’s Treaty
• Despite dislikes, Washington urges approval of treaty
John Jay being burned “in effigy”
Pinckney’s Treaty
• Border between U.S. and Spanish Florida disputed • Spain closes port of New Orleans to U.S. trade
Pinckney’s Treaty
• Thomas Pinckney sent to resolve dispute
Pinckney’s Treaty
• Pinckney's requests
– Reopen New Orleans to U.S. trade – Right of deposit at New Orleans
Pinckney’s Treaty
• Negotiations
– Spain delays hoping U.S. will become desperate – Spain begins to worry U.S. & Britain will join forces against Spain
Pinckney’s Treaty
• The Treaty
– Span agrees to change Florida border – Port of New Orleans reopened
– Right of deposit acquired