1. Challenges for the New Nation
Chapter 7, Section 3
Challenges for the New Nation

2. Remaining Neutral
Tensions escalated between France and Great Britain after the people of France rebelled against their king
July 14, 1789
Citizens of Paris stormed and captured the Bastille
The Bastille was a hated fortress and prison that stood as a mighty symbol of royal power
One of the first acts of the French Revolution
A rebellion of French people against their king in 1789

3. Remaining Neutral
The French were inspired by the American Revolution and in turn, many Americans openly supported the French Revolution
Believed that France was creating the same kind of democracy as the United States
The French Revolution was very bloody and violent
King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette were beheaded by French citizens
A few years after the beginning of the French Revolution, France and Great Britain went to war
Some Americans supported France, some supported Great Britain, and some remained neutral

4. The Neutrality Proclamation
The issue of neutrality divided Congress and George Washington’s Cabinet
Neutrality Proclamation
April 22, 1793
Presented to Congress by George Washington
Stated that the United States would not take sides with any European nations that were at war
George Washington believed that his plan was the safest

5. The Neutrality Proclamation
Not everyone agreed with George Washington
Thomas Jefferson was in favoring of supporting the French in their Revolution
James Madison believed that Washington had gone beyond his authority to make such a proclamation without first gaining approval from Congress

6. The French Question Edmond Genet
France’s Representative to the United States
Asked American sailors to help by commanding privateers
Private ships hired by a country to attack enemies
George Washington told Edmond Genet that American privateers violated his Neutrality Proclamation
Even Thomas Jefferson who supported the French Revolution agreed that privateers were a bad idea

7. The French Question
Thomas Jefferson was upset by United States foreign policy towards France
Believed that the United States should support the French Revolution because France supported the American Revolution
Alexander Hamilton supported the British side of the war
Hamilton wanted to strengthen ties with Great Britain because of his trade aspirations
Thomas Jefferson felt that Alexander Hamilton had too much political influence in foreign policy and that Hamilton interfered with his position as Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson resigned from George Washington’s cabinet in 1793

8. Jay’s Treaty Other threats to United States Neutrality
British seizing ships carrying food to the French West Indies
Neutral American merchant ships
British supporting Native American efforts to push back American settlers on the frontier
To prevent another war with Great Britain, George Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to London to work out a compromise

9. Jay’s Treaty British were aware of 2 things:
America lacked a strong military
American business relied heavily on trade with Great Britain
In the end, Great Britain did not want another war with the United States
Jay’s Treaty
November 1794
Settle disputes between the United States and Great Britain
British would pay damages on seized American ships
British would abandon forts on the American frontier
United States would pay debts owed to Great Britain

10. Jay’s Treaty Unpopular Treaty
Violent Protests
Citizens/leaders felt that the treaty hurt trade and did not punish Great Britain for its actions against the United States
Southerners especially angry
Wanted Great Britain to repay the South for the slaves they set free during the American Revolution
Washington did not like the treaty, but felt it was the most that could be done

11. Pinckney’s Treaty American Business Problems
Disputes with Spain about the border between the United States and Florida
Spain closed the Port of New Orleans to the United States in 1784
Hurt American economy because all goods moving down the Mississippi to places in the East or overseas had to pass through New Orleans
George Washington asked Ambassador Thomas Pinckney to meet with Spanish officials and discuss the problem
Asked Spain to reopen New Orleans
Asked for the right of deposit in New Orleans
This would allow American boats to transfer good in New Orleans without paying cargo fees

12. Pinckney’s Treaty Manuel de Godoy
Attempted to delay reaching an agreement hoping the Thomas Pinckney would become desperate for a solution and sign a treaty in favor of the Spanish
Worried that the United States and Great Britain would join forces against Spain after the signing of Jay’s Treaty
Pinckney remained patient and his patience was rewarded

13. Pinckney’s Treaty October 1795 Pinckney’s Treaty
Settled border and trade disputes with Spain
Spain to recognize the United States southern boundary as 31ºN latitude
New Orleans reopened
Granted the right of deposit
Opened the frontier to western expansion-considered a success

14. Pinckney’s Treaty

15. Conflict in the Northwest Territory
Americans continued to settle in the Northwest Territory despite Native Americans’ protests
British traders supplied Native Americans with guns

16. Conflict in the Northwest Territory
1790 Native American alliance under Miami chief Little Turtle defeated United States forces under General Josiah Harmar
1791 Native Americans defeated United States forces under General Arthur St. Clair

17. General Wayne Takes Command
1792
President George Washington gave command of the army in the West to General Anthony Wayne
Given the task to bring troops to the frontier to fight against the Native Americans
1793
Wayne’s forces arrived in Ohio
Many ill with small pox and influenza and were unable to fight well
General Anthony Wayne moved his troops north and constructed Fort Greenville

18. General Wayne Takes Command
In summer 1794, Native Americans led attacks on American supply routes near the fort
Wayne responded by attacking Native American towns and burning crops
Native Americans were no longer supported by the British
Chief Little Turtle realized that he was outmatched and urged his people to seek peace

19. The End of the Conflict The Battle of Fallen Timbers
Native Americans were defeated by General Anthony Wayne’s troops
Battle was named for an area where a tornado destroyed many trees
Wayne’s forces burned Native American villages and crops
Strength of the Native American alliance was broken
Treaty of Greenville
August 1795
Granted United States claim to most of the land in the Northwest Territory
Guaranteed safety of United States citizens living in the area
Native Americans given $200,000 in goods and an acknowledgement of their claim to the lands they still held

20. The Whiskey Rebellion Whiskey Tax Passed by Congress in March of 1791
Part of Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan to help pay the national debt
Tested the power of the federal government to control states’ actions

21. Reaction in the West Resentment towards the tax
Already angry with the federal government
Didn’t believe that the government protected settlers from Native American attacks
Felt that the federal government did not allow settlers enough opportunities for trade
Farmers’ corn crops were often distilled in whiskey which was easier to transport than corn
Because cash was rare, whiskey became like money in the region
Farmers believed the tax was aimed specifically at them

22. Reaction in the West Farmers argued that they could not afford the tax
Believed they should be able to keep the money they earned from a product they made themselves
In 1792, among protests, President George Washington issued a proclamation saying the people had to obey the tax
Westerners also upset that legal cases were tried in district courts, which were usually very far away from their homes, creating an inconvenience

23. Whiskey Rebellion is Crushed
By 1794, fighting broke out in Pennsylvania
Whiskey Rebellion
Farmers lashed out at the whiskey tax
Protestors refused to pay the tax
Some even tarred and feathered tax collectors
Called themselves the new Sons of Liberty
President George Washington feared that the rebellion threatened the authority of the federal government
Felt he needed to make the people understand that the Constitution gave Congress the right to pass and enforce the tax

24. Whiskey Rebellion is Crushed
President George Washington personally led the army into military action against the rebellion
The first and only time in history that an American President has done so
President Washington’s forces (about 13,000) marched into western Pennsylvania in November of 1794
By this time, most of the rebels had fled and the Whiskey Rebellion ended without a battle

25. Washington says Farewell
President George Washington decided not to run for a third presidential term
“Tired of public life”
Wanted to remind Americans that the people were the country’s true leaders

26. Washington says Farewell
President George Washington wrote his farewell address with the help of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison
Spoke of what he believed to be the greatest dangers to the new republic
Foreign Ties
Warned against forming permanent ties to foreign nations
Political Party conflicts
Warned that internal conflicts could weaken the new government
Stated that political unity was the key to success
Left office warning the nation to work out differences and protect independence