Isolationism
IsolationismBetween 1789 and 1823 the United States made cautious efforts to become involved in world affairs to further insulate itself from European involvement. This tendency toward isolationism is clearly shown in treaties to resolve outstanding differences with European countries, territorial acquisitions, attempts to maintain neutrality in European struggles and broad policy statements by Washington and Monroe.
Several treaties were established to resolve outstanding differences with European countries, which displayed the clear intention for isolation. Jay�s Treaty of 1794 was made by John Jay, the chief justice at the time, to settle the conflict with the British after their assaults on American shipping. This treaty was very long and complex and also gave more to the British then had hoped. Jay�s Treaty led to the signing of the Pinckney Treaty (1795), which was a settlement of America�s important conflict with Spain. The Spanish feared a joint Anglo-American challenge to Spanish possessions in America and so were willingly ready to comply with U.S. terms. Under the treaty, Spain was to recognize the right of Americans to navigate the Mississippi and agree to fix the northern border of Florida where American�s always wanted (31st parallel). The Treaty of Ghent was also established to settle a conflict with Britain, which was sparked by European struggles with overseas trade. Thus, these treaties were made by the U.S. to settle the differences with European nations and further isolate themselves.
The U.S. gained much territory from European countries and also the natives.
Following the Battle of Timbers, the Treaty of Greenville was signed by the Miami, which ceded new lands to the U.S. in exchange for acknowledgment of native claim to the territory that they retained. Another example of territorial acquisition is where France claimed the Louisiana territory, but through misfortunes from the land, Napoleon sold the land west of the Mississippi River to America. Jefferson bought the territory including New Orleans for only 15 million dollars. During the early 1800�s William Henry Harrison, through threats, bribes and trickery, concluded many treaties that ceded more land to the U.S. These treaties led Indian leaders to stand up against the advancing white settlements and sparked conflict between the U.S. and several tribes. And since the British were Indian allies, conflict between Britain and America began to develop. These conflicts led to the War of 1812. Thus, many efforts were made to gain territory and isolate from European involvement.
The United States made many unsuccessful efforts to maintain neutrality in European struggles. After a war was declared between France and Great Britain, the U.S. issued a proclamation in 1793 announcing the determination of the U.S. to remain neutral. In 1794, Congress passed a neutrality act that forbade Americans to participate in the war and prohibited the use of American land as a base of operations for either side. Even with these efforts, the French and British challenged American neutrality by seizing American ships and using American ports for warships. After Jay�s and Pinckney�s treaties of 1794 and 1795, American relations with Britain and Spain improved, but relations with France worsened. Attempting to reach a peaceful settlement, John Adams sent John Marshall, Charles Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry to negotiate with the French and this was the beginning of the XYZ Affair. The French demanded a loan and a bribe from the U.S.; Adams was outraged and urged readiness for war. Another war was sparked by the British impressment of American ships, for example the Chesapeake affair, which was when the British navy opened fire on the American frigate Chesapeake for refusing to be searched. Attempting to isolate itself from European involvement, the U.S. developed the Embargo Act of 1807, which prohibited American ships from leaving the U.S. for any foreign port. This Act caused depression and led to the Non-Intercourse Act and Macon�s Bill #2, which reopened commercial relations with other nations. James Madison, at his time of presidency, also wanted to maintain neutrality, but the war hawks (the new Congress at the time) urged for war and Madison was finally pressured into the War of 1812. U.S. efforts of neutrality were thus aimed towards isolation, but were unsuccessful for most parts.
Washington and Monroe, two preeminent presidents, made policy statements conveying the importance of cautious efforts in world affairs. Washington�s Farewell Address, which was made at the end of this presidency, was prepared with the assistance of Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Although written ostensibly to guide future generations, the address actually set forth Washington's defense of his administration's record and embodied a classic statement of Federalist doctrine. Worn-out by the burdens of the presidency and the attacks of political foes, Washington feared for the safety of the Constitution. He believed that the stability of the Republic was threatened by the interference by foreign powers in the nation's affairs. He urged Americans to subordinate jealousies to common national interests. He also advised against permanent alliances with foreign powers, fearing that such alliances would inevitably be rebellious of America's national interest. Later, years after Washington, Monroe�s Doctrine was created, which was part of the State of Union address. This was a policy that sought to limit European influence in the Western Hemisphere. The policy proposed that American continents were not to be subjects for colonization by any European power and complemented the assertions of the separateness of the Americas. This reaffirmed that the United States would not interfere in European affairs. Thus, the two presidential policies were made to inspire isolationism from European entanglement.
To insulate itself from European affairs, the United States made many careful efforts to become involved in world matters. Isolationism was clearly sought through treaties with European countries, acquiring of land, attempts to maintain neutrality and the policy statements of two U.S. presidents.