Neutral - Washington, Adams, Jefferson
...tarted seizing American ships. Furious, the United States cried for war, but Washington realized America was too weak to fight. Instead, Washington sent Chief Justice Jay to work out a treaty with Britain, known as Jay’s Treaty. The treaty generated complaints – Americans felt they were giving too much to Britain. Nevertheless, Washington approved of Jay’s Treaty because the agreement avoided war. He also avoided war by staying away from alliances. Washington thought that such agreements would bring America to war, and the U.S. was not strong enough for war. Urging the United States to remain neutral was the focus of Washington’s Farewell Address. Once Washington resigned, Adams became the second President. It did not take long for a crisis to surface. In 1796, French ships, infuriated by Jay’s Treaty, began seizing American ships. The French believed the treaty favored England. Adams, even with Americans clamoring for war, sent diplomats to Paris to avoid war. This became known as the XYZ Affair, because three French agents would not let the Americans talk to France’s foreign minister without paying a bribe. The people of the United States were outraged, but despite growing pressures, Adams did not declare war. Instead, he began strengthening the navy, and with its new strength, America’s navy convinced France to stop seizing U.S. ships. Once again, Adams sent diplomats to France and found Napoleon Bonaparte in charge. Young and ambitious, Napoleon did not have time for a war with the United States and signed an agreement to stop seizing American ships. Many Federalists were hoping for war to weaken the Republicans and criticized Adam’s actions. Like Washington, Adams managed to keep America out of war, although it cost him the election of 1800. Jefferson won the election of 1800 and became the third president of the United States. In 1803, France and Britain went to war again, and just like in the 1790’s, both nations violated American’s neutrality. Many Americans, angered by Britain impressing their sailors, were ready to go to war. Yet, like Washington and Adams, Jefferson knew that the United States ships would be completely destro...