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Proclamation of Neutrality
While Great Britain and France were warring back in Europe, Washington did not want to get involved at all in their conflict. He understood that America was way too weak and undeveloped to get in the middle of any conflict. The Proclamation of Neutrality stated that America was to be identified as neutral and not to become dragged into any conflict overseas. -
XYZ Affair
When John Adams became president, he sought to restore peace between America and France. Adams sent a handful of delegates to France to negotiate, but three French agents (labeled X, Y, and Z, hence the name XYZ Affair) told the American delegates that they would have to pay a hefty amount of money to see the French foreign minister. Americans were extremely displeased with the apparent bribe they faced. This launched a Quasi-War - an undeclared war, but naval conflict was active. -
Convention of 1800
The XYZ Affair left relations in a tight spot, so Adams organized the Convention of 1800. He wanted to make peace between the countries, for the greater good. A treaty was signed between France and America which restored most of the peace between the two countries. -
Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson was in office when he bought the gigantic Louisiana Territory, comprising over 800,000 square miles. Napoleon of France was becoming far too busy with a soon-to-come renewal of conflict with the United Kingdom. Seeing that keeping Louisiana, a massive overseas chunk of land, was bound to create an extremely stressful governmental environment in France, Napoleon sold the land to Jefferson. The Purchase doubled the size of the United States. -
Embargo Act
France and Great Britain were unraveling massive tensions between each other. Although both were major trade partners with the United States, they were both getting angry that the United States was “supporting” each country by trading with them. Not wanting to get involved -- trying to stay neutral -- was the main priority of Thomas Jefferson. -
War of 1812
Great Britain had begun a system of impressment -- capturing American sailors and forcing them into the British Navy service. The Royal Navy, as they were called, was expanding, but there was a small pool of people that could be used within the Navy. The United States was not impressed with the British conduct, and turned to war. -
Treaty of Ghent
In the Belgian city of Ghent, negotiations were held between the United Kingdom and the United States. Negotiations started in August 1814, but there was nothing agreed upon and signed until December 24. This treaty basically ended the war, but news took a while to reach America, as there was another battle in January of 1815. The Treaty was ratified by the US Senate on February 18, 1815. -
Monroe Doctrine
Towards the end of his presidency, James Monroe declared that European countries were not to interfere with American colonies. He believed that the United States and other American colonies were their own entities and that they should be free from further European intervention; the New World and Old World had become separate spheres of influence and Monroe wanted that to be recognized in world affairs.