Challenges for a New Nation

Pinckney's Treaty

settled the border and trade disputes with Spain.

Jay's Treaty

settled the disputes that had arisen between the United States and Great Britain in the early 1790s.

Neutrality Proclamation

stated the United States would not take sides with any European countries that were at war.

Privateers

were private ships hired by a country to attack its enemies.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794, farmers lashed out against the tax on whiskey.

The Whiskey Rebellion tested Washington's administration.

Congress passed a tax on American- made whiskey in March 1791. Tax was part of Hamilton's plan to raise money to help pay the federal debt.

The United States and Native Americans came into conflict in the Northwest Territory.

Native Americans went to war and were supplied by British traders with guns.

Jay's Treaty

The British were seizing American ships in the French West Indies and helped Native Americans fight settlers. Washington wanted to prevent another war; so did the British. Jay's Treaty was signed in 1794. It settled disputes that had arisen between the two countries in the 1790s. The treaty was unpopular in the United States. Americans thought it hurt trade and failed to make the British pay for slaves the British freed during the Revolutionary War.

The United States tried to remain neutral regarding events in Europe.

The French Revolution broke out against their king in 1789. The French people overthrew their king and created a republican government. Edmond Genet, France's representative to the U.S. asked American sailors to help France fight England by commanding privateers. Some Americans, including Thomas Jefferson supported the French. He believed the U.S. should support France because they supported the U.S. during the Revolutionary War. President Washington and others wanted to remain neutral. He believed this was the safest plan for the U.S. in the long run. Washington told Genet that using American privateers violated U.S. neutrality. The United States issued the Neutrality Proclamation in 1793.

Pinckney's Treaty

The Spanish disputed the U.S. and Florida border. Spain closed the New Orleans port to U.S. trade in 1784. This hurt the American economy. Pinckney's Treaty was signed in 1795. The southern U.S. border was set at 31 degrees N latitude. The Port of New Orleans reopened.

Washington's Farewell Address

Washington decided not to run for a third presidential term in 1796. Warned against dangers of foreign ties. Warned the nation to work out its political differences. He believed disagreements between political groups weakened the government. Political unity was key to national success. Warned against too much public debt.

How was the Whiskey Rebellion resolved?

Washington led an army against the rebels because he feared that the rebels threatened the federal government's authority. He believed he needed to make people understand that the Constitution gave Congress the right to pass and enforce the tax. The Whiskey Rebellion ended without a battle.

Why were farmers upset over the Whiskey tax?

Whiskey was a cash crop to western Pennsylvania farmers. Farmers were angry that cases about the law were tried in district courts, often far away from the people affected.

French Revolution

a rebellion of French people against their king in 1789.

The Treaty of Greenville

ended the war in 1795 and gave Americans most Indian lands in the Northwest Territory. The treaty guaranteed the safety of citizens. In exchange, Native Americans received $20,000 worth of goods and an acknowledgment of their claim to the lands they still held.

Treaty of Greenville

gave the United States claim to most Indian lands in the Northwest Territory.