U.S. Foreign Policy -[Early 1800s]

Foreign Policy

The First Five Presidents

Objective

To what extent (degree) should the United

States have become involved in the world

affairs (issues) in the early 1800s?

Washington’s Dilemma:

Honor 1778
Alliance with
France and go
to war with
Great Britain
(+maybe Spain)

Ignore 1778
Alliance with
France, and
keep a weak
United States
from war.

George

Washington

Foreign Policy

Ignored 1778 Alliance with

France and declared

Isolationism. On the side,
paid tribute to Barbary
States and signed the Jay

Treaty of 1794.

John Adams’ Dilemma:

Gain
popularity by
going to
war with
France

Lose support of
Federalists
and avoid
going to war
with France.

John Adams

Foreign Policy

Sought Peace with France
despite calls for war and

signed Treaty of 1800 with
Napoleon. Cost: Lost the
presidency and divided the

Federalist party.

Jefferson’s

Dilemma:

Pay tribute to
Barbary States
for access to
trade in the

Mediterranean

Sea.

War with

Tripoli

Thomas
Jefferson

Foreign Policy

Tried to maintain policy of

isolationism, ended up in war with

Barbary States. Built up an American
navy and fought with Tripoli. Signaling

a move away from isolationism.

Madison’s

Dilemma:

Isolationism:
Accept the

constant

French and

British attacks
on American

Sailors

War with

Great Britain

James Madison

Foreign Policy

Tried to maintain policy of

isolationism, but was unable to

maintain neutrality with “War Hawks”

calling for war with Great Britain.

Declared war on Great Britain in 1812.

Monroe’s

Dilemma:

Isolationism -

Go back to

focusing on US

growth and

trade.

Support Latin

American

Revolutions /

Prevent
European

Colonization

James Monroe

Foreign Policy

Used the Monroe Doctrine to

try find a balance between
isolationism and European

colonization.