1. Why did Washington want the
nation to remain neutral in foreign
affairs?
Do Now: Describe how America is involved
in Foreign Affairs. Does the US “Stick its
nose in everyone's business?”

2. Setting the Scene
• Late in ______, French ships arrived in
American ports with startling news. On July
14, an angry mob in Paris, France, had
destroyed the Bastille, an ancient fort that was
used as a prison. The attack on the Bastille
was an early event in the French Revolution.
Before long, the revolution would topple the
monarch and lead to the execution of the
thousands of ordinary French citizens.
• Like Americans, the French fought for liberty
and equality

3. Responses to the French Revolution
• Peasants and Middle class paid heavy
taxes.
• Nobles paid none.
• Reformers wanted a constitution like
America to protect basic rights.

4. American Support
• At first, most Americans supported
the French Revolution.
• France was their ally, France helped
America win the Revolution.
• In 1793 the King and Queen were
killed.

5. Violence Stirs Division
• The violence in France divided
Americans.
• Some, like Thomas Jefferson, continued
to support the French. Jefferson felt that
violence could win freedom.
• Others like Alexander Hamilton and John
Adams felt that violence was wrong.

6. The United States Remains Neutral
• Europe was soon plunged into a
string of wars that lasted on and off
for more than 20 years.

7. A Difficult Decision
• President Washington had to decide on a
foreign policy - the actions that a nation takes
in relation to other nations.
• During the American Revolution, the US and
France had signed a treaty that made the two
countries allies. Now France wanted to use
American ports to attack British ships.
• Neutral means not taking sides in a conflict.

8. Division in the Cabinet
• Hamilton argued that since King Louis XVI was
killed the US no longer needed to hold to the
treaty.
• Jefferson who had supported France, urged
strict acceptance of the treaty.
• Neutrality Proclamation in April 1793. It stated
that the US would not support either side in
the war.
• This was a defeat for Jefferson, other defeats
eventually led Jefferson to leave the Cabinet.

9. Struggling to Remain Neutral
• Though America was Neutral they
still wanted to continue trade.
However, those warring nations
seized American cargoes headed for
each other's ports.

10. Jay’s Treaty
• 1793, British captured more than 250
American ships trading in the French West
Indies.
• Washington, knew that the US was to weak to
fight
• Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to
Britain for talks.
• Jay negotiated an agreement that called for
Britain to pay damages for the seized
American Ships.

11. Jay’s Treaty
• Britain also agreed to give up the forts it still
held in the West. Meanwhile, Americans had
to pay debts long owed to British Merchants.
• Jay's Treaty did nothing to protect the rights of
Neutral American Ships. However, this treaty
was still approved in 1795.

12. Washington Retires
• Farewell Address - George Washington's
retiring speech in 1796 that advised
Americans against becoming involved in
European Affairs.
• He knew that America was still to young to
contend with foreign political affairs. America
could not survive a war.

13. On a yellow piece of paper
• Was Washington's call to not help
France right or wrong? Why or why
not? Describe in detail. Would you
help a friend if it meant that you
would get in trouble?