Lesson 3: Foreign Affairs Under Washington

Lesson Focus

The new United States could not remain isolated. This lesson explores how President Washington navigated foreign pressures, especially from the French Revolution and Britain, leading to crucial treaties that shaped the nation's early international relationships.

People to Know

George Washington, Citizen Edmond Genêt, John Jay, Thomas Pinckney

Learning Objectives

• Understand how the French Revolution created both popular support and complex diplomatic challenges for the young United States.
• Analyze the Jay and Pinckney treaties, explaining how they addressed conflicts with Britain and Spain and secured key American interests.

The French Revolution began in 1789, and Americans initially celebrated it, seeing it as similar to their own fight for freedom. This support was shown through songs and renaming streets. However, when war erupted between France and Great Britain in 1793, the U.S. was forced into a difficult position. It had to choose between loyalty to its revolutionary ally, France, and protecting its essential trade relationship with the powerful British navy.

The war between France and Britain in 1793 created a crisis for the United States, as a treaty with France suggested an obligation to help. President Washington, realizing war with Britain would ruin the U.S. economy, took Alexander Hamilton’s advice. He issued the Proclamation of Neutrality, declaring that the U.S. would be “friendly and impartial” to both sides. This policy aimed to protect American commerce and prevent the new government from financial collapse.

The new French minister, Citizen Edmond Genêt, directly challenged America's neutrality. He arrived and began recruiting American crews for French privateers (armed private ships) to attack British vessels. Washington received him with “icy politeness” and firmly rejected his demands. This confrontation ended with Washington demanding Genêt's recall, which demonstrated the U.S. government's commitment to its neutrality policy and its authority to conduct foreign affairs without foreign interference.

Great Britain's navy seized hundreds of American ships trading with France, pushing the U.S. to the brink of war. To avoid conflict, Washington sent John Jay to Britain in 1794. The resulting Jay Treaty forced the British to evacuate their forts in the Northwest but failed to stop them from seizing ships. Note that despite massive public protest, the Senate ratified the treaty, believing an unpopular peace was better than a devastating war.

The Jay Treaty made Spain worry about a secret U.S.-British alliance against its American territories. This fear prompted Spain to negotiate with the U.S. on very favorable terms. In the 1795 Pinckney Treaty, Spain granted Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to store goods at New Orleans. This treaty was a major success, securing key economic and territorial rights for the growing nation, especially for western settlers.

After two challenging terms, Washington decided not to run for president again. In his 1796 Farewell Address, he offered advice based on his experiences. He warned the young nation to avoid the dangers of political divisions at home and to steer clear of permanent, entangling alliances with foreign powers. Pay special attention to this, as his advice on foreign policy would influence American leaders for many generations to come.