The New Republic Shortly after the Revolutionary War, America was exposed to its first foreign affair after becoming an independent nation. The situation was known as the French Revolution. This event led very much division between many Americans, but why? The French Revolution, at its start, was being encouraged by most all Americans. This was due to the fact that it appeared very similar to the revolution Americans just recently experienced, so it was very easy for them to support and get behind a movement they could relate to. Shortly after the start of the revolution, things took a turn for the worse when the new government in France executed King Louis XVI and any foes who stood in its way, and shortly after declared war with Britain (Foner, 225).
This created a lot of tension within the American people due to the fact that some felt they needed to support France as they supported us during our revolution, however, others felt like supporting a government who acted in that manner would only provoke more of the tyrannical behavior. According to Mountvernon.org, “On April 22, 1793 President George Washington issued a Neutrality Proclamation to define the policy of the United States in response to the spreading war in Europe” (Neutrality Proclamation). I believe Washington did this because he knew it was what would be best for the country. By not entering into that war American merchants were able to continue trading, and the country was also able to avoid spending money it did not have.
Another key event that took place around the same time, was Jay’s Treaty. In 1994 John Jay was sent to London to negotiate an agreement to combat the British’s impressment on American merchants, however the actually agreement never actually addressed impressment or the rights of American Merchants (Foner, 225). This policy only deepened the divide between Americans, and ultimately was a main factor in the creation and opposition party to the Federalists. Many believed that Jay’s Treaty did not do enough, and a number of Americans were itching to go to war with Britain over the impressment of American sailors.
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Post-George Washington, John Adams took over the roll of president. Immediately after he entered office he was faced with some very tough issues; the nation was divided, and there were multiple international dilemmas the would soon occur. According to the Office of The Historian, in 1778 American diplomats from the Adams administration were sent to France to negotiate the French seizing of American merchant ships. Upon arriving the French demanded they be bribed before they would even consider negotiating with the Americans, this was known as the XYZ Affair. This did not sit well with Adams (The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France).
I believe this was a major turning point in the conflict between France and America. This event angered a lot of Americans because previously France had long been an ally. According to the Office of the Historian, as a result of the XYZ Affair the Quasi-War began (The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France). The Quasi-War is rather interesting to me, because it was never actually an official war. The conflict began, and then after two short years of random battling was able to just be resolved after France experienced a change in power.
Perhaps the largest foreign affair America was involved in was the War of 1812. During this Time Period the President was James Madison. Causes of this conflict started to become very evident a few years before the way actually began. History.com noted that the largest causes for war were the British attempts at restricting American trade, the impressment of American sailors, and actions attempts to rile up and support tribal people that were opponents of America (War of 1812). The British tactic of supplying weapons and supplies to the tribal people is very interesting, and it is actually a very smart idea. After enduring these acts for years, enough was finally enough for President Madison. According to History.com, “…on June 18, 1812, the president signed a declaration of war against Britain” (War of 1812). The Battle of 1812 seems fairly short, but it left a large impact in many areas.
One of the impacts left by the War of 1812 was the creation of the Star Spangled Banner. Many of the battles during this war were not of much significance, but I do feel as if this foreign affair had the largest, and longest lasting impact on the country during this time period. I believe that the demise of the Federalist Party was mostly due to the War of 1812. According to Ohio History Central, “…at the end of the War of 1812, many Americans viewed the Federalists as traitors” (Federalist Party). I believe many Americans viewed federalists as traitors due to their opposition of the war from the very beginning. By not supporting the war against Britain it was very easy for the Federalist party’s opposition to pin them as traitors, and un American, which was terrible for the party.
By not supporting the war they were also viewed as the party who had strong ties to Britain, and was semi loyal to them. Another big factor that led to the demise of the Federalist Party happened in Hartford Connecticut. In December 1814 Federalists gathered in Hartford, Connecticut to list many of their grievances, specifically their discontent with the domination of the the Federal government (Foner, 247). I believe that the Federalist Party was very unhappy things weren’t going exactly how they wanted, and so they were trying to kind of blame things on everyone else. I think this is shown when they list their grievances about having the president role dominated by Virginian presidents.
The party also was a large fan of individual state’s rights due to the fact that more and more western states were joining the country, and they had a desire to maintain slavery. I feel like this argument is is part a large contributor to slavery. In terms of who’s status changed the most after the War of 1812, I would say America and the Native Americans. I believe that Americans gained the most from the war in multiple areas. For starters America gained more opportunity to keep pushing their boundaries westward and continue to expand their nation. They also were able to run the British out of many forts along the northern borders, and secure those much better than before.
On top of that Americans were restored in a way. As a result of the victory in this war Americans were restores with a sense of patriotism similar to that of the Revolutionary War. I feel like if there is anything that can make a large group of Americans super patriotic and excited about their country it is a war; especially in this time period. On top of those things, America also gained a sense of respect form other countries. After defeating Britain for a second time in a short period of time I feel like America was finally begging to be viewed as a strong independent nation by other countries now. On the other side Native Americans lost a lot as a result from the War of 1812.
The Native Americans were ultimately slaughtered or forced to just up and leave everything they had ever known. I say the Native Americans lost the most, because while the British did loose, they did not loose as bad or as much as the Native Americans. In the end Native Americans lost over 23 million acres of their land to the American government (Foner, 246). To loose this amount of land is astonishing, and unfortunately it would not stop there. I believe the greatest asset that America took away from the New Republic would be the sense of patriotism and direction that was gained. The country as a whole went through very much, and I think there was a lot that was learned that provided lots of knowledge that could be used for the future. The patriotism gained also set the stage for the next era in our nations history, and really propelled and boosted us forward as a nation.
Works Cited
- “Federalist Party.” Battle of Lake Erie – Ohio History Central, Ohio History Connection, www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Federalist_Party. Accessed on 11 November, 2018.
- Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!: an American History. W. W. Norton & Company, 2017. “Neutrality Proclamation.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/neutrality-proclamation/. Accessed on 11 November, 2018.
- “The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France, 1798–1800.” U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/xyz. Accessed on 11 November, 2018.
- “War of 1812.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812/war-of-1812. Accessed on 11 November, 2018.
