Shortly after George Washington was inaugurated, the French Revolution broke out. Many Americans supported the revolution initially since it appeared as if the French were fighting for the same reasons as the Americans had in their revolution. As the Revolution became more radical under the Reign of Terror, however, fewer Americans supported it.
Soon, France declared war on England as well. Washington found himself in a difficult position. A treaty with France in 1778 required that the United States protect French colonies in the Caribbean, but Washington decided he should remain neutral and not pick sides in this war. He would later mirror this sentiment in his Farewell Address when he said the United States should stay out of “permanent alliances” with foreign nations and to avoid European problems.
Despite Washington’s declaration of neutrality, the British began intercepting all ships carrying goods to French ports, including American ships. At the same time, reports were heard of the British operating forts on American territory and inciting the Native Americans to attack western settlers. Determined to avoid war, Washington sent John Jay to Britain to seek a solution. Jay’s Treaty forced the US to agree to many concessions with Britain in order to avoid war with them. The United States agreed that the British would leave their forts on American territory and granted Great Britain “most favored nation” status in the eyes of the United States. Democratic-Republicans criticized the treaty, accusing the Federalists of being pro-British and not-so-"neutral" after all. Washington reluctantly signed the treaty, but what’s more important is that he avoided war and protected the American economy.
Jay’s treaty also helped the US win concessions from Spain, which still controlled Florida and territory west of the Mississippi River. In 1795, Spain joined France in its war against Britain. Fearing that the US would join forces with Britain to seize Spain’s North American holdings, Spain offered to negotiate all outstanding issues with the US. In 1795, the Spanish signed Pinckney’s Treaty, granting the US the rights to navigate the Mississippi and deposit goods at New Orleans (“right of deposit”).
Soon, France declared war on England as well. Washington found himself in a difficult position. A treaty with France in 1778 required that the United States protect French colonies in the Caribbean, but Washington decided he should remain neutral and not pick sides in this war. He would later mirror this sentiment in his Farewell Address when he said the United States should stay out of “permanent alliances” with foreign nations and to avoid European problems.
Despite Washington’s declaration of neutrality, the British began intercepting all ships carrying goods to French ports, including American ships. At the same time, reports were heard of the British operating forts on American territory and inciting the Native Americans to attack western settlers. Determined to avoid war, Washington sent John Jay to Britain to seek a solution. Jay’s Treaty forced the US to agree to many concessions with Britain in order to avoid war with them. The United States agreed that the British would leave their forts on American territory and granted Great Britain “most favored nation” status in the eyes of the United States. Democratic-Republicans criticized the treaty, accusing the Federalists of being pro-British and not-so-"neutral" after all. Washington reluctantly signed the treaty, but what’s more important is that he avoided war and protected the American economy.
Jay’s treaty also helped the US win concessions from Spain, which still controlled Florida and territory west of the Mississippi River. In 1795, Spain joined France in its war against Britain. Fearing that the US would join forces with Britain to seize Spain’s North American holdings, Spain offered to negotiate all outstanding issues with the US. In 1795, the Spanish signed Pinckney’s Treaty, granting the US the rights to navigate the Mississippi and deposit goods at New Orleans (“right of deposit”).
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