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Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington (our first president) did not want us getting involved with other nations in terms of alliance. Because of the conflicts between France and Great Britain, he issued a Proclamation of Neutrality that proclaimed a position of neutrality (hence the name) to keep us from getting in the middle of it. -
XYZ Affair
President John Adams wanted to improve the relationship between America and France, so he sent two diplomats to meet with French officials. The French foreign minister sent three agents to demand a payment of money from the Americans before French officials would agree to meet with them. This was seen as a bribe and angered many Americans. -
Convention of 1800
The Convention of 1800 was a treaty that was signed to establish peace between France and the United States. This was signed after the conflict caused by the XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon of France. It cost $15 million and doubled the size of the United States. -
Embargo Act
President Jefferson wanted us to keep out of the growing conflict between France and Great Britain, so he got the Embargo Act passed. This act stopped trade between the US, France, and Great Britain. This turned out to be disastrous because the halt of trade caused extreme unforeseen economic hardship in the US. -
War of 1812
The British began taking American sailors off of their ships and forcing them into British Navy service. This was known as impressment. This triggered the anger of American leaders, and they began calling for war. This eventually led to the beginning of the War of 1812, during which many battles were fought between America and Great Britain. It ended in 1814 with the treaty, but the Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1815. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812. It did not give either side any advantages, and simply returned the territory that belonged to both sides before the war to them. However, the U.S.'s success in the war gained the respect of other nations. -
Monroe Doctrine
The Monroe Doctrine was issued by President James Monroe. It essentially stated that the United States would not tolerate European intervention in the affairs of any independent nation in the Americas, that the Americas were no longer open to further colonization, and that the United States would view such attempts as an act of aggression.
