Challenges for the New Nation

Chapter 6 Lesson 3

Vocabulary

neutrality proclamation - United States wouldn’t take sides with European countries at war.

 privateers - private ships hired by a country to attack its enemies

 Jay’s Treaty - Required the British to give up forts in western territories and pay damages for seized American ships

 Pinckney’s Treaty - Agreement with Spain. Opened Port of New Orleans and settled the border between U.S. and Spanish Florida

Treaty of Greenville - Gave the U.S. claim to most Indian lands in the Northwest Territory.

Whiskey Rebellion - Farmers rebelled against a federal tax on Whiskey.

Remaining Neutral

• In 1789, the French people began a rebellion against their King.
• French citizens were inspired to take action by the American Revolution.
• They overthrew their King and mobs took to the street
• Soon the Revolution took a violent turn, known as the “Reign of Terror”

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Horrible Histories: The French Revolution Report

The French Revolution

• At first many Americans supported the French Revolution
• They thought the French were creating a democracy as Americans had done
• Violent attacks and riots followed in France
• The King, noblemen, and church leaders were targeted by the mob
• They were dragged into the streets and beheaded

Check for Understanding

• When was the French Revolution, and what were some of its effects?
• What helped inspire the French Revolution?

War between Britain and France

• Following the French Revolution, Britain and France went to war.
• Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation
• The U.S. would NOT take sides with any European countries that were at war.

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The Neutrality Proclamation

• Washington feared that the new country would endanger its own future by taking sides against either France or Great Britain.
• “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 towards the belligerent powers.”

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Check for Understanding

• How did Washington respond to conflicts between France and Great Britain?
• What was the Neutrality Proclamation?

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Privateers

• Edmond Genet (France’s ambassador to the U.S) asked American merchant mariners to help France fight England by commanding privateers.
• What’s the problem??
• Violated U.S. Neutrality Proclamation

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John Adams: Avoiding the European Conflict

Jefferson and Hamilton Disagree (again!)

Jefferson-

wanted the U.S.

to support France

Why?

-because France supported the U.S. during the Revolutionary War.

Hamilton-

wanted the U.S. to

support Britain

Why?

-to strengthen trade with the most powerful trading nation in the world

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Jefferson resigned from the cabinet because he thought Hamilton had too much influence on the president and was interfering with his role as Secretary of State.

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Check for Understanding

• What did French ambassador Genet ask American sailors to do?
• Why did Jefferson think the United States should back the French in the war?
• Why did Hamilton want the United States to back Britain instead?

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Problems with Great Britain

• The British seized American merchant ships and claimed their cargo.
• British were also helping Native Americans fight American settlers in the West.
• Angry Americans wanted to fight back, but Washington wanted to prevent another war.
• He sent Chief Justice John Jay to England to work out a compromise

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Check for Understanding

What conflicts with Britain threatened U.S. neutrality?

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Jay’s Treaty

• Britain knew the U.S. military was weak, but they did not want to fight the U.S. and France at the same time.
• Treaty: Britain agreed to pay damages on seized American ships and abandon their forts on the northwestern frontier.
• The U.S. agreed to pay debts they owed to Britain.
• Many Americans protested it did not punish Britain enough for their actions.

Check for Understanding

• What were the terms of Jay’s Treaty?
• Why did some Americans protest against Jay’s Treaty?

Problems with Spain

• Spain challenged the border between the U.S. and Florida.
• Closed the port of New Orleans to U.S. trade in 1784.

Pinckney’s Treaty:

• Settled border
• Settled trade disputes by opening Port of New Orleans

Check for Understanding

• What conflicts with Spain threatened American businesses?
• What were the effects of Pinckney’s Treaty?

Problems with Native Americans

Americans continued to settle on Indian lands in the Northwest Territory

• Armed with guns supplied by the British, Chief Little Turtle led an alliance of Indians against the U.S. army
• The army, under the command of General Anthony Wayne, fought back, attacking Native American towns and burning crops.

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Battle of Fallen Timbers

“The trail has been long and bloody; it has no end. They (whites)… are many. They are like the leaves of the trees. When the frost comes they fall and are blown away. But when the sunshine comes again they come back more plentiful than ever before.”

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Treaty of Greenville- gave the U.S. claim to most Indian lands in the Northwest territory.

Little Turtle realized the natives were outmatched and urged his people to seek peace.

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Check for Understanding

• Why did Native Americans in the Northwest go to war with U.S. settlers in the early 1790s?
• What was the result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers?
• What was the Treaty of Greenville? What were its effects?

Whiskey Rebellion

• Congress passed a tax on whiskey in 1791
• To pay off national debt
• To test the power of the federal government to control states’ actions
• Western farmers grew corn crops which they made into whiskey for easier transport.
• Farmers believed the tax unfair
• Not being paid by eastern merchants, but
• Aimed specifically at farmers
• Refused to pay and violently attacked tax collectors.
• Sound familiar?

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Washington Responds to Whiskey Rebellion

• The first and only president to personally lead an army against a rebellion.
• He wanted Americans to understand the Constitution gave Congress the right to pass and enforce taxes.

The rebels fled and the whiskey

rebellion ended without a battle.

Washington issued a proclamation saying that people must obey the law

He also personally led the army in military action against the rebellion.

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Check for Understanding

• Why did Congress pass a tax on American-made whiskey?
• Describe the Whiskey Rebellion.
• How did it end?
• Why did Washington believe it was important to crush the rebellion?

Washington Says Farewell

In 1796 Washington did not want to run for a third term.

• He was tired of public life and wanted to retire to his farm
• He wanted to set a precedent: being president is a temporary position.

In his Farewell Address, Washington warned of the greatest dangers facing America:

• Foreign ties (choosing sides between foreign nations would draw U.S. into war)
• Political conflicts at home (disagreements between different political groups would divide Americans)

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Washington’s Farewell Address

• National Debt (the U.S. government should not borrow money because future generations would be stuck with the burden of repayment.)

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Washington set an important precedent by stepping down. His action served to distinguish between the temporary position of American president and the permanent condition of European royalty

Check for Understanding

• Why did Washington choose not to seek a third term in office?
• What did Washington believe to be the greatest dangers to the American republic?
• Why did Washington warn against growing political conflicts in his Farewell Address?’
• What were Washington’s beliefs about the national debt?