Transcript George Washington - Woodford County Schools

George Washington
Foreign Policy
Washington’s Dilemma
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In February 1793 France declared war against
Great Britain. (Recall Treaty of Alliance)
This was part of French Revolution
Washington, convenes his cabinet and wants
answers to 3 questions:
1."Should the United States receive an
ambassador from France?"
2. "Should earlier treaties still apply?"
3. "Should the United States issue an official
proclamation of neutrality?"
The Proclamation of Neutrality
By THE PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of America,
A PROCLAMATION
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Whereas it appears that a state of war
exists between Austria, Prussia, Sardinia,
Great Britain, and the United Netherlands,
of the one part, and France on the other;
and the duty and interest of the United
States require, that they should with
sincerity and good faith adopt and pursue
a conduct friendly and impartial toward
the belligerent Powers;
What do the Countries allied
against France have in common?
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They are all monarchies
Questions
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What does the word belligerent mean?
What should be the attitude of the United
States toward these belligerent powers?
What is another word to describe
America’s position?
What challenges would we face to hold
that position?
Put it in your Own Words…
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I have therefore thought fit by these
presents to declare the disposition of the
United States to observe the conduct
aforesaid towards those Powers
respectfully; and to exhort and warn the
citizens of the United States carefully to
avoid all acts and proceedings
whatsoever, which may in any manner
tend to contravene such disposition.
Washington speaks further
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And I do hereby also make known, that
whatsoever of the citizens of the United States
shall render himself liable to punishment or
forfeiture under the law of nations, by
committing, aiding, or abetting hostilities against
any of the said Powers, or by carrying to any of
them those articles which are deemed
contraband by the modern usage of nations, will
not receive the protection of the United States,
Define
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Aid and abet
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Contraband
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Question: Why does Washington not use
the word neutrality in the document?
Doesn’t want to offend Britain
Criticism of Washington’s Policy
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Secretary of State Jefferson opposed the policy
Thought Washington needed Senate approval
Washington had ceased taking Jefferson’s advice
Jefferson resigned Jan 31, 1794
Pro-French advocates opposed Washington
Was America Really Neutral?
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75% our exports go to Britain, 90% imports
from Britain
British interdicted French bound American
commerce without protest or resistance
British policy of impressment
British seized cargo in direct violation of property
rights, free trade and “freedom of the seas”
France denounced America’s bowing to Britain
so easily
Washington’s Foreign Policy
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1. Treat all Nations evenhandedly,
especially in area of trade.
2. Do not get involved in foreign
entanglements
3. In a word: neutrality.
Why was this good advice?
America too weak to get entangled
Next we’ll look at challenges to American
Neutrality.