The Federalist Foreign Policy for America 1789-1800

The Federalist Party, or at the very least its preceding policies and leaders, were in charge of the American federal government in its initial years. This meant that leaders like George Washington and John Adams were able to leave their mark early on how the presidency and cabinet would deal with foreign policy. The first major foreign policy issue that the nation had to deal with was what to do in dealing with the French during their own revolution, beginning in 1789. Americans had initial sympathy for the Revolution, which held similar beliefs in democratic institutions to their own revolution.

However, Americans (even Democratic-Republicans, who were largely connected with French leaders) lost sympathy as the revolution progressed into the Reign of Terror and a dictatorial government antithetical to American ideals of democratic rule. While the Federalists saw the Revolution as proof of the downfall of republican government and mourned the rise of “mob rule,” the Democratic-Republicans saw the French Revolution as a more radicalized child of the successful American Revolution. However, both parties realized that the nation was too weakened and incapable of providing material support and remained neutral during the Revolution.

During the 1790s, the Federalist foreign policy was unstable at best. The pressures applied on the British from the north and from the west (many British soldiers had not yet left bases in the Ohio Valley) were coupled by the problems of dealing with the French in the Carribean. The 1794 Jay Treaty attempted to remedy problems with the British, but limited concessions were made to the United States while the British still held economic control over their former colonies. John Jay became persona non grata in the American government because many felt he had sold out American interests, but he did not have a good bargaining position and did a decent job considering his position.

Meanwhile, the French were presenting troubles in the West Indies and the Adams administration had to deal with scandal and a poor defensive system. The XYZ Affair, which involved three American delegates being refused diplomatic recognition by the French without a “loan,” showed the weakness of American standing in Europe. No matter how great the leader in the executive branch or how strong the will of Congress, there was little recourse in dealing with stronger European nations until the mid-1810s.

However, the Federalists left a stronger nation when they lost the executive branch in the 1800 federal election. The Adams administration was active in 1798 in creating a stronger defensive network, including a stronger military, leadership training, and the suppression of revolution and treason within the American public. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 increased the requirements for citizenship and made unlawful opposition to federal law, insurrection, certain assemblies, and libel against the government. While the acts were controversial then and raised the ire of a great many civil libertarians, it was effective in raising the debate of how the nation could strengthen its borders and its defenses.

As well, Adams sent delegates to France to relieve tensions with the Bonapartists, which ended with a return to reasonable relations, nullified previous agreements to create more favorable agreements all around, and made possible the 1803 acquisition of the Louisiana Territory. While the Federalists were unable to make peace and strong borders in their decade in power, they were able to set the table for future prosperity in America.