First Government of the United States

First Government of the United States

During the years of 1787 to 1820 the government of the new republic did not demonstrate stability due to the numerous domestic issues, foreign conflicts and the development of political parties.
In the years of the Napoleonic wars, when France and Britain were fighting, loyalty to France versus loyalty to England became a critical question of foreign policy. During the American Revolution, France allied with America in order to defeat a common enemy, the British. However some opposed this alliance due to the Reign of Terror and the XYZ affair. To stay neutral, President George Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality which gave friendly assurance to both Britain and France. In response, dozens of pro-French clubs emerged. James Madison, a pro-French supporter, along with many others believed that it was dangerous to form an alliance with Britain in the chance that they might try and enforce their tyranny here, in America. Even after the Proclamation of Neutrality, America still continued to trade with France. This angered the British and they seized more than three hundred American vessels near the West Indies. The impressment of American ships by both the French and the British was one of the conflicts that lead to the War of 1812. In order to stop these attacks President Thomas Jefferson passed the Embargo Act which stopped all trade to foreign countries. This act angered many northerners in America and was soon replaced by James Madison who issued the Non-Intercourse Act and then Macon’s Bill no. 2. This stated that America would continue trade with either France or Britain, whoever declared they would cease the impressments of US ships first. Although Napoleon seized this opportunity for France, neither France nor Britain ceased their impressments. At this time the government was split: to some it was necessary to go to war in order to earn respect and expand the American territory, and for others the war meant disaster for commerce. Since war...

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