Transcript Early Challenges

Early Challenges
Chapter 8, Lesson 2
Early Challenges
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The Whiskey Rebellion - Rebellion that occurred in
western Pennsylvania due to the tax on Whiskey.
 Most farmers west did not have money and bartered (traded
goods) to get whatever they needed and had no idea how they
would pay this.
 The resistance was peacefully until 1794, when federal officers
stepped up to collect the tax and they attacked with swords, guns,
and pitchforks, as well as burning a few buildings along the way.
 Washington spoke with his advisors and came to the decision that
to crush the rebellion
 Washington served notice to those who opposed Government
action and stopped them as soon as the army crossed the
Appalachian Mountains.
 He stated that if people wanted to change the law, they had to do
so peacefully and through constitutional means.
 He also set the example that the government will use force if it has
to in order to maintain social order.
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The new government faced issues with the Native
Americans who denied that they had any authority over
them.
 The Natives often sided with the British and Spanish who happily
agreed to support them to stop the Americans from settling the
region out west.
 Washington hoped with treaties done with the Native Americans
that they would stop seeking support of Britain and Spain, but
despite this settlers continued to move on to their land and fighting
would soon break out.
 Washington sent General Arthur St. Clair to restore order in the
Northwest Territory but is badly beaten by Little Turtle, Chief of the
Miami people.
 The British still had forts in the area and wanted continued control
of the profitable fur trade, urging the Native to take action against
western American settlements.
 Many believed an alliance with France could defeat the British,
Spanish, and Natives.
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The Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) – Washington sends
Anthony Wayne (former Revolutionary War general) with an
army defeating 1,000 Natives led by Shawnee chief Blue
Jacket.
 The Natives hopes of keeping their land were crushed.
 Treaty of Greenville (1795) – Agreement that the Natives would
surrender most of the land in present-day Ohio
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The French Revolution (1789) – Most American were
happy to hear France was also taking a stand against
tyranny, however…
 By 1793, it became super bloody, with the execution of the king
and queen of France along with thousands of French citizens.
 Americans were divided with the opinion of the war.
 When Britain and France go to war in 1793, the south favored a
British win since they conducted business with them.
 Jefferson was pro-French, thinking it would free up the west. From
British control.
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Washington hoped that the nation could maintain its
neutrality (taking neither side in a conflict)
In April of 1793, the French send Edmond Genêt (zhuhnay) to the United States in hopes of recruiting American
volunteers to attack the British.
Washington issued a Proclamation of Neutrality on
April 22, prohibiting American citizens from fighting in the
war as well as blocking British and French ships from
American ports.
 Though Genêt’s plan failed for the most part, he recruited around a
few hundred to serve on French ships that would steal cargo from
British Vessels.
 The British in turned would stop American merchant ships and
forced them to join the British navy, a practice known as
impressment (taking men into a navy by force and with or
without notice)
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These British actions were pushing Americans into another
War with Britain that Washington would rather avoid.
 He sends John Jay (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court) to
negotiate with Britain.
 British were willing to listen as carrying on a war with France AND
the United States would be more difficult (The U.S. was also their
best market too!)
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Jay’s Treaty – The British agree to withdraw from
American soil, pay for damaged American ships, allow for
trade with the British colonies in the Caribbean, and settled
debts from before 1776.
 Few approved of Jay’s Treaty as it did not deal with the issue of
impressment or their interference in American trade.
 The Senate narrowly passed the treaty
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When the Spanish leaders realized that the United States
and Great Britain could work together against their empire
in North America.
 Thomas Pinckney was sent to Spain to settle the differences
between the two nations.
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Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) - Gave American free
navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to trade at
New Orleans.
In September 1796, Washington announced he would not
seek a third term in office setting a precedent of two terms
in office (that many presidents would then follow in
tradition)
At 64, Washington had a variety of ailments, and look
forward to retirement in his home at Mount Vernon.
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He felt troubled over the political division occurring in the
country, especially with the growth of political parties.
Washington’s “Farewell Address” was published in a
Philadelphia newspaper, where he attacked the evils of
political parties and entanglement in foreign affairs.
 His words influenced the nation’s foreign policy for the next 100
years. (observe good faith and justice toward all nations… Tis our
policy to steer clear of permanent alliances)
 The text is still read aloud in the Senate each year on his birthday.