Foreign Policy and International Relations (1800-1848)
The period from 1800 to 1848 saw significant developments in U.S. foreign policy as the young nation sought to establish its place on the world stage. This era was characterized by territorial expansion, efforts to maintain neutrality in European conflicts, and the assertion of American interests in the Western Hemisphere.
Jeffersonian Foreign Policy
Thomas Jefferson's presidency 1801−1809 set important foreign policy precedents:
- Pursued a policy of peaceful coercion through economic measures
- Dealt with Barbary piracy, leading to the First Barbary War 1801−1805
- Acquired the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803
Highlight: The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 doubled the size of the United States and significantly impacted its future development and foreign policy.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 with Great Britain had significant implications for U.S. foreign policy:
- Causes included British impressment of American sailors and trade restrictions
- Resulted in a greater sense of national unity and independence from European influence
- Led to improved relations with Britain in the long term
Quote: "Don't give up the ship!" became a rallying cry for the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812, embodying the nation's determination to assert its rights on the seas.
Monroe Doctrine
Proclaimed by President James Monroe in 1823, the Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy:
- Declared the Western Hemisphere off-limits to further European colonization
- Asserted that the U.S. would view European interference in the Americas as a hostile act
- Marked the beginning of U.S. hegemony in the Western Hemisphere
Definition: The Monroe Doctrine was a U.S. foreign policy statement that opposed European colonialism and intervention in the Americas, asserting U.S. protection over the Western Hemisphere.
Territorial Expansion
The period saw significant territorial expansion through various means:
- Florida acquired from Spain through the Adams-Onís Treaty 1819
- Texas annexed in 1845 following its independence from Mexico
- Oregon Territory acquired through treaty with Britain 1846
- Mexican Cession acquired following the Mexican-American War 1846−1848
Relations with Native American Tribes
U.S. expansion led to ongoing conflicts with Native American tribes:
- Indian Removal Act of 1830 resulted in forced relocation of southeastern tribes
- Numerous treaties and conflicts as the U.S. expanded westward
Example: The Trail of Tears, the forced relocation of Cherokee and other southeastern tribes to present-day Oklahoma, exemplified the harsh treatment of Native Americans during this period of expansion.
Trade and Commerce
The U.S. sought to expand its commercial interests globally:
- Negotiated trade agreements with various nations
- Opened trade with China and Japan
- Established diplomatic relations with Latin American countries following their independence
Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
This conflict had significant implications for U.S. territorial expansion and foreign policy:
- Resulted in the acquisition of vast territories in the Southwest
- Intensified debates over the expansion of slavery
- Strained relations with Mexico for decades
Vocabulary: "Manifest Destiny," the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America, was used to justify the Mexican-American War and other expansionist policies.
European Affairs
The U.S. generally sought to avoid entanglement in European conflicts:
- Maintained neutrality during the Napoleonic Wars
- Gradually improved relations with Britain following the War of 1812
- Avoided involvement in European revolutions of 1848
Legacy of Early 19th Century Foreign Policy
The foreign policy developments of this period had lasting impacts:
- Established the U.S. as the dominant power in North America
- Set precedents for future U.S. involvement in Latin America
- Laid the groundwork for the U.S. to become a global power in the late 19th and 20th centuries
The period from 1800 to 1848 saw the United States transition from a young, vulnerable nation to an expanding power with growing influence in the Western Hemisphere. The foreign policy decisions and actions during this era would shape U.S. international relations for decades to come, setting the stage for the country's emergence as a world power in the latter half of the 19th century.