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Neutrality Proclamation
George Washington issued this after the outbreak of the war between Britain and France. This document not only proclaimed the governments official neutrality in the widening conflict but also sternly warned American citizens to be impartial toward both armed camps. This proved to be a major prop of the spreading isolationists tradition. It all proved to be enormously controversial. -
XYZ Affair- (1797-1798)
Sent a wave of war hysteria sweeping through the United States, catching up even President Adams. The Federalists were delighted at this unexpected turn of affairs, whereas all except the most rabid Jeffersonians hung their heads in shame over the misbehavior of their French friends. -
Convention of 1800
Treaty signed in Paris. France agreed to annul the twenty two year old marriage of inconvenience, but as a kind of alimony the United States agreed to pay the damage claims of American shippers. So ended the nations only peacetime military alliance for a century and a half. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson lead the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory, a stretch of land owned by the French. Approximately 828,000 square miles, it stretches from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the Canadian border in the north. Its regarded as one of the greatest real estate deals in history. -
Embargo Act
In response to the presidential lash. This rigorous law forbade the export of all goods from the United States, whether in American or foreign ships. More than just a compromise between submission and shooting, the embargo embodied Jefferson's idea of "peaceful coercion." -
War of 1812
Caused by British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen and Americas desire to expand its territory. The Unites States went through many defeats at the hands of the British, Canadian and Native American troops, including the capture and burning of the nations capital, Washington D.C. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war. -
Treaty of Ghent
Both sides simply agreed to stop fighting and to restore conquered territory. Neither side gained much, everything returned back to normal. It did set boundaries between U.S. and Canada. It also fueled national pride and gained respect. -
The Monroe Doctrine
Was created when the nationalistic Adams won the nationalistic Monroe over his way of thinking. The President, in his regular annual message to Congress, incorporated a stern warning to European powers. This declaration stated that the United States would not tolerate a European nation colonizing independent nation in North or South America. The U.S. accepted the responsibility of being the protector of independent western nations and affirmed that it would steer clear of European affairs.