The world stage
Learn About It (Teacher-led) The World Stage
As America is struggling to expand into the new lands and fighting the native peoples, Europe is in conflict.
France is having a Revolution of their own, but it was growing more violent. American Federalists denounced the violence, but Jefferson stated that "in a fight by oppressed people to win freedom, some injustices were to be expected."
1793 France and Britain at war and the United States remains Neutral. We wanted to trade with both sides, but our ships kept being stopped and the goods meant for trade were seized! The British made it worse by Impressment of sailors. This meant that our sailors were being captured and forced into the British Navy. Hamilton urged Washington to stay friendly with Britain, stating that they supplied us with 90% imports and bought 75% of our Exports. Washington agreed and sent John Jay to London to solve the problem.
The Jay Treaty
Links to an external site.
Alternate video for the Treaty
Jay's Treaty Did:
1. Get the British to leave the Forts on US Soil
2. Make the British Pay for the Goods taken from the ships.
3. Established Favorable trade status with England (We promise not to trade with France)
Jay's Treaty did not:
- End Impressment of American Merchant Sailors
- Stop British from Supplying Weapons to the Native Americans (We agree we should not do it, but they don't stop)
- Pay Southerner's for the slaves taken at the end of the Revolution
Little Known Fact : of the 250+ American Merchant sailors impressed into the British Navy
- 48 killed in battle with French Navy
- 69 return home after the war ended
- 30+ stayed in England after the war.
To see more of what Life was like in the British Royal Navy click the link below
Life at Sea in the Royal Navy of the 18th Century Links to an external site.
Impact & Legacy of Jay's Treaty:
Prevented a second war with England (Well at least until the War of 1812)
Split the Government into two camps [Federalist & Democratic-Republicans (Jeffersonian's)] But passed in the senate with2/3 majority
Put us on bad terms with France
Recorded Lesson 11/16/20