American First Foreign Policy essays

American First Foreign Policy essays In a time when the country was still as vulnerable as a newborn baby, the United States was already undergoing the stresses of the world. Since the country wasnt a major player in the international scene at first there wasnt as much of a worry as it later came to be. Later on when France declared war on England, Prussia, and other neighboring countries, the United States was under much pressure to stick to the treaties of 1778 which bound it to France. George Washington believed that neutrality was the best option and that there was no better choice of action. Later on the president issued The Proclamation of Neutrality, where it stated, I have therefore thought fit by these presents to declare the disposition of the United States to observe the conduct aforesaid towards those Powers respectfully; and to exhort and warn the citizens of the United States carefully to avoid all acts and proceedings whatsoever, which may in any manner tend to contravene such disposition. Washington in no way wanted to displease either side so that trading and certain treaties would not be broken. The Proclamation of Neutrality simply said that the United States would not intervene in the wars of other countries. This was completely what Washington saw as the best way to handle the situation at hand, which was the war in Europe. This Proclamation became what the US abided by for the next 102 years. In 1793 France sent their P.M Edmond GÃ ªnets. As soon as he reached US soil, he set out to find American sailors and get them to be privateers sailing under the French flag, and to capture British ships. He even set up courts to condemn those who were captured. Later on he set up for western frontiersmen to go on an expedition and sent them off to attack Spanish New Orleans. Washington insisted that he stop what he was illegally doing, Genet didnt listen and continued. Finally Genet wound up expelled from the Uni...