The Early United States in the World
At the beginning, it was unclear if the argumentative, thirteen states that clung to the western edge of the Atlantic World would be successful. Much of the international history of the Early Republic was overshadowed by the raging wars between England and France on the European Peninsula and in the Atlantic Basin. The young United States was politically and militarily weak, so they tried to steer a course of neutrality within the Anglo-French (and wider European) conflicts.
As the United States expanded its territory and strengthen its military and political power throughout the 19th century, it began to interact with external powers and Native Americans living in the west.
Learning Objectives
- How did the early United States interact with foreign powers and Native Americans?
- What was the nature of US relations in the Atlantic Basin? (i.e. with the English, French, and other external powers they encountered)
- What was the nature of US relations in the West? (i.e. with Hispanic populations and Native Americans)
Topics
- Barbary Wars
- US Whaling Oil Industry
- Lewis and Clark Expedition
- War of 1812
- Indian Removal: Trail of Tears
- Texas Annexation
- Mexican-American War
- Commodore Matthew Perry and the opening of Japan
The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France (1784-1800)
The French provided economic and military support to the United States during our Revolution; however, as news of the brutality and violence of the French Revolution spread, many Americans stopped supporting the French cause. This, and other factors, resulted in tension between the two nations. Eventually, the French started seizing American merchant ships as a way to finance their war with the English. This resulted an undeclared war between the United States and France.
The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France
The XYZ Affair and the Quasi-War with France
Barbary Wars (1801-05 and 1815-16)
Several kingdoms in North Africa supported pirates and privateers that would prey upon weaker nations (such as the United States) sailing in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Their preferred method was to hold captured crews, ships, and cargoes hostage until a ransom was paid. The United States sent two military expeditions to fight against these pirates. This conflict is remembered in a line of the Marine Corps anthem: “. . . to the shores of Tripoli” (see the War with Mexico).
Barbary Wars The Young U.S. Navy Battled North African Pirates Barbary Wars, 1801–1805 and 1815–1816 George Washington and the Barbary Coast Pirates Image to the Right: An artistic representation of United States Marines fighting against Barbary Coast pirates. |
US Whaling Oil Industry
Flames from whale oil lamps provided more stable light (less flickering) and less smoke than candles and fires. By providing artificial light, people were able to be more productive during the hours they were awake.
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American Whaling Ship (1830's). Image Source: NOAA
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Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Lewis and Clark Expedition
In order to raise money for their war against the English, the French sold their holdings in North America to the United States (under President Jefferson) for $15 Million Dollars. This doubled the size of the nation, and laid the foundations for later westward migrations. The Lewis and Clark expedition to survey this territory is a well-known event in US history. Louisiana Purchase
Image to the Right: A 20th century painting of Lewis and Clark listening to their Shoshoni guide Sacajawea. Map Below: The routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. |
the War of 1812
TAfter years of fighting against the French and the harsh conditions of shipboard life, many British sailors deserted their posts in the British Navy. In order to replenish their ranks, British Navy vessels began to board American merchant ships where they would ‘impress’ many of the able-bodied, young sailors they found into the Navy by claiming that they were deserters. Even though many of the men who were impressed were actual deserters, the early United States considered this as violation of its national sovereignty. Often regarded as part of an unfinished revolution between the United States and Britain, the US declared war in order to protect itself from Britain. During this war, Francis Scott key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner following a night spent on a ship that was bombing Fort McHenry, the White House was Burned, and a young Andrew Jackson gained popularity due to his victory at the Battle of New Orleans.
Smithsonian: Star-Spangled Banner PBS: War of 1812 The British View the War of 1812 Quite Differently Than Americans Do 10 Things You Didn't Know About the War of 1812 |
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The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Following the Napoleonic Wars, the Unites States worried that European monarchies would try to re-colonize many of the new nations that had gained independence in Latin American. The United States promised to remain neutral towards any existing colonies; however, they would respond to any effort by European powers to create or reclaim colonies. Militarily, the United States was not strong enough to enforce this position, but the British Navy, wanting to protest its trade relations in the Americas, enforced this policy in the Atlantic.
Monroe Doctrine
Monroe Doctrine
Early Westward Expansion and Indian Removal
Unlike black slaves, that were regarded as part of society, Native Americans were considered as external to American society. The government adopted a policy of initially moving Indian tribes west and then moving them onto marginal lands (i.e. the reservation system.)
NOTE: After Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492, as much as 95% of the population in the Americas died due to diseases carried by the Europeans. Due to this devastating population collapse, many European colonists became convinced that the Americas were virtually empty lands that were open to settlement. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Native American populations began to recover. As Anglo-American colonists began their trek across North America, they encountered these recently rebounded groups. This resulted to significant conflict between these two groups.
Indian Removal
NOTE: After Columbus' arrival in the Americas in 1492, as much as 95% of the population in the Americas died due to diseases carried by the Europeans. Due to this devastating population collapse, many European colonists became convinced that the Americas were virtually empty lands that were open to settlement. By the 18th and 19th centuries, Native American populations began to recover. As Anglo-American colonists began their trek across North America, they encountered these recently rebounded groups. This resulted to significant conflict between these two groups.
Indian Removal
Trail of Tears: The forced migration of Native American tribes from the southeast United States to reservations in Oklahoma between 1836 and 1839. [Image in the Public Domain]
Manifest Destiny, the Annexations of Texas, and the War with Mexico
AThis conflict is remembered in a line of the Marine Corps anthem: “From the Halls of Montezuma. . .” (see the Barbary Wars). While France and England struggled over lands in northern and eastern parts of North America, the Spanish had established colonies in the south and the west. Eventually, the United States came into conflict with their Hispanic neighbors. Mexico, who won their independence from Spain, took possession of lands from Texas to California, and as US citizens moved west, this would lead to competition and hostilities.
NOTE: Hispanic speaking explorers and conquistadors from the Iberian Peninsula, colonized most of South America and the southern parts of North America (i.e. the Caribbean, Mexico, and Florida). Eventually, they expanded into the interior as they settled upper New Spain (Texas, California, and New Mexico). As Anglo-Americans began their expansion across North America, they encountered many of these Hispanic settlements. Once again, Anglo-Americans found themselves in conflict with another group as they expanded their territory. US-Mexican War Mexican-American War Mexican-American War LOC Mexican-American War Annexation of Texas and Mexican-American War |
Image Above: Scott's Army in Mexico City.
Map Below: Campaigns of the Mexican-American War without Scott's Expedition. [Source: Wikipedia] |
Commodore Matthew Perry opening of Japan (1853-1854)
US expansion to the Pacific and Interaction with Asia which resulted in the opening of Japanese and Chinese markets. One of Christopher Columbus’ main goals in voyaging across the Atlantic was to find a shorter passage to the riches of China and India. Following this dream, eventually US and European nations developed their own routes to this regions of the world. For the United States, is one of the most memorable events.
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Image Above: A Japanese depiction of the American 'black' ships.
Image Left: Japanese portraits of the long-nosed American devils that were invading their lands. |