| The newly independent America of the early
1790's through the mid 1820's was faced with many foreign policy problems. Analyze some of the economic and political issues that influenced this foreign policy. |
| ...He is an American,
who, leaving behind him all his ancient prejudices and manners, receives new ones from the
new mode of life he has embraced, the new government he obeys, and the new rank he
holds....Here individuals of all races are melted into a new race of man, whose labors and
posterity will one day cause great changes in the world. Americans are the western
pilgrims. Letters
From an American Farmer |
|
...No alliances however strict between the parts can be an adequate substitute. They must
inevitably experience the infractions and interruptations which all alliances in all times
have experienced....and... just and amicable feelings towards all...So lokewise, a
passionate attachment of one nation for another produces a variety of evils....that it is
folly in one nation to look for disinterested favors from another; that it must pay with a
portion of its independence for whatever it may accept under that character.... Washington's Farewell Address, 1796 |
| The
worst consequence, perhaps, of the independence and growing commerce of America is the
seduction of our seamen. We hear continually of clamors in that country on the score of
its sailors being {im}pressed at sea by our frigates....If those who by birth, and by
residence and employment, prior to 1793, were confessedly British, ought still to be
regarded as His Majesty's subjects, a very considerable part of the navigators [sailors]
of American ships are such at this moment; thought, unfortunatly, they are not easily
distinguished from genuine American seamen.... A Briton (James Stephen) Recommends Firmness |
|
...I would not be willing to involve the country in war, in defense of the extensive and
circutous carrying trade...I should be for holding fast the claim to the circuitous
carrying trade, and would be willing to operate on our enemies by adopting countervailing
strictive systems....for what is an inheritance right, for what I deem the legitimate, or
necessary carrying trade, the liberty of carrying our productions to foreign markets, and
with the return cargo, in which agriculture is particularly interested, I would fight in
defense of. John C, Calhoun Insists on Free Trade |
Document E
| But,
Mr. Chairman, let us review this [embargo] law and its effects. In a commercial point of
view, it has annihilated our trade. In an agricultural point of view, it has paralyzed
industry....It remains then to consider its effects as a peace measure...that if the
friends of the embargo had rightly calculated its effects--if it had brought the
belligerence of Europe to a sense of justice and respect for our rights...it would have
been infinitely wise and desirable....But, sir, the experience of near four months has not
produced that effect...if such should be the result, then will the embargo, of all
measures, be the most acceptable to Britain. By occluding [closing] our ports, you give to
her ships the exclusive use of the ocean; and you give to her despairing West India
planter the monopoly of sugar and rum and coffee to the European world.... A Federalist
(Philip Barton Key) Attacks the Embargo |
Document F
| The
Senate today approved an agreement with Britain setting limits on naval forces on the
Great Lakes. The accord...was worked out between Charles Bagot of Britain and Richard
Rush, acting secretary of state. Each nation is to have no more than one single-gun ship
of 100 tons on each lake, and has agreed not to build other warships to be placed in these
waters... "Naval
treaty limits British, U.S. unites" |
Document G
|
Mexico's new revolutionary government...was granted formal recognition today. This
initiative is the latest American effort to aid the rebellions of the Latin American
colonies against Spain....Monroe extended diplomatic recognition to Gran
Colombia...Argentina, Chile and Peru. The recognition by the United States is the first
accorded to any of these revolutionary governments by a major power. However, Washington
promises no financial or military assistance to the new countries.... "U.S.
recognizing Latin American states" |
Document H
| ...We owe
it, therefore, to candor and to the amicable relations existing between the United States
and those powers to declare that we should consider any attempt on their part to extend
their system to any portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our peace and safety. With
the existing colonies or dependencies of any European power we have not interfered and
shall not interfere. But with the government who have declared their independence and
maintained it...we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing
them...other...than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United
States... The Monroe Doctrine, 1823 |
Document I
| ...We
have seen, I think, the cause of distresses of the country. We have seen that an exclusive
dependence upon the foreign market must lead to still severer distress to impoverishment,
to ruin. We must, then, change somewhat our course. We must give a new direction to some
portion of our industry. We must speedily adopt a genuine American policy....Let us
counteract the policy of foreigners and withdraw the support which we now give to their
industry and stimulate that of our own country.... Henry Clay: The Protective Tariff |