Foreign Relations

1. Foreign Relations The wave of nationalism in Congress and among the American people influenced the nation’s foreign affairs.

2. Relations With European Powers • After the War of 1812, a new sense of pride and faith in the US spread across the young country. • President James Monroestated in his inaugural address that no other country in the history of the world had grown as quickly as the US. “If we persevere… we can not fail.”

3. Era of Good Feeling • The absence of major political divisions helped usher in the national unity. • The time period was called the Era of Good Feelings • Monroe toured the country and was celebrated by the people he visited. • Americans began to think of themselves as equals or even superior to Europeans. • Americans knew that they had to put their differences aside and develop peaceful relations with the “Old World”

4. Relations With Britain • In 1817, the Rush-Bagot Treaty limited the number of naval vessels the US and British could have on the Great Lakes, provided for disarmament along an important part of the US/Canada border.

5. Setting a Northern Boundary • Further West the US/Canada border was set at the 49th parallel. • It also created a secure and demilitarized border, the longest unguarded border in the world. • The US also gained the right to settle in the Oregon Country.

6. Oregon • Britain, Russia, Spain and The US all claimed the Oregon Country. • In the Convention of 1818 Britain and The US agreed to Joint Occupation of the Territory. • Thousands of Americans began to move into the region while the number of British settlers remained small. • In the treaty of 1846 the area was split at the 49th parallel, US- South, Britain- North

7. Relations With Spain • Spain controlled East Florida and West Florida • The US claimed that West Florida was part of the Louisiana Purchase. • Spain objected but took no action.

8. April 1818, Andrew Jackson, invaded East Florida, • His orders were to stop the Seminoles from raiding American settlements and ensure that Florida wouldn’t become a haven for runaway slaves. • He went way beyond his orders; he seized two Spanish forts and executed two British officials.

9. Adams-Onis Treaty • Luis de Onis, Spanish Minister to the US, demanded punishment for Jackson. • John C. Calhoun agreed and said Jackson should ne court-martialed. John Q. Adams disagreed. • Adams guessed that Spain did not want to go to war. • Spain was putting down rebellions in Mexico and South America and did not have the military strength to fight in Florida.

10. 1819- Spain signs the Adams-Onis Treaty giving East Florida to the US and abandoning its claims to West Florida. • The US gave up its claims to Texas and promised to pay $5 million for damages caused by Americans. • The border established the Mexico’s northern border at the 42nd parallel, and recognized the US claim to the Oregon Country. • The US was officially a transcontinental power.

12. The Struggle for Frontier Lands • Spain controlled the majority of the land in the Southwest • Mexico wins its independence in 1821 and control of the Spanish lands, and over 225K people living in the area. • Mexico will have to deal with the threat of US expansion.

13. Why Did Mexico Change Its Policy? • 1823- Mexico decided to welcome American traders and settlers into its frontier lands. The Americans were supposed to convert to Catholicism, learn Spanish and any slaves brought into the region would be freed. • Mexico hoped to boost its economy and population. • Most of the new settlers wanted to remain American citizens. They disliked and resisted Mexican laws and customs • Many Americans believed that it was the US’s Manifest Destiny to expand to the Pacific and pushed for the US to acquire the Frontier region from Mexico.

14. Conflict With Mexico • The US tried to buy the land from Mexico, but they refused. • Settlers in Texas revolted against Mexican rule and gained their Independence in 1836, and eventually statehood in 1845. • Shortly afterwards the US and Mexico went to war over a border dispute. • In the 1848 treaty that ended the war Mexico gave up its claims to the West; the area that makes up modern day California, New Mexico, Arizona, and portions of other Western States.

15. The United States and Latin America • Spain and Portugal controlled all of South America. • The US began supporting the S. American colonies in their fight against European control

16. Mexico • 1810- Priest Miguel Hidalgo led a rebellion against Spain. • He called for racial equality and the redistribution of land. • The Spanish crushed the rebellion and executed Hidalgo. • In 1821 Mexico gains its independence from Spain.

17. Bolivar and San Martin • Simon Bolivar, known as “the Liberator” led the rebellions against Spain. He won independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia and Ecuador. • Jose de San Martin led the rebellions for Chile and Peru. • Brazil gained its independence from Portugal in 1822. • The Latin American Leaders were inspired by the American Revolution.

18. The Americans were glad to see the European empires fall in the New World and looked forward to increasing trade with the newly independent countries. • Americans vowed to support the new countries and quickly recognized the independence of the Latin American republics.

19. The Monroe Doctrine • 1822- The Quadruple Alliance of France, Austria, Russia and Prussia discussed a plan to help Spain regain control of American colonies. • President Monroe responds by declaring that the Americas were not to be considered for any further colonization by Europe. • The US would defend against any European country that threatened the Western Hemisphere, • This is the beginning of the long term policy, known as the Monroe Doctrine preventing European powers from interfering in American affairs.