The four presidents who followed George Washington faced critical foreign policy decisions. For each of those presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe—discuss one key foreign policy event. Describe the event itself and its significance to the nation.

Explanation:

George Washington and his successor, John Adams were more or less Federalist. Under the leadership of Washington, the Jay Treaty was signed in 1794, which normalized trade relations with Great Britain and helped foster improved relations with them. The Jay Treaty angered many Anti-federalists and supporters of France. They felt the government favored the British over the French. Think of it this way: the young American Republic was the pawn both the French and British wanted.

In Washington's 1796 Farewell Address, he warned the young nation of becoming entangled in foreign wars. He stressed American neutrality, and American unity over party or sectional differences.

John Adams and the Quasi-War

The incoming president, John Adams inherited the situation and was determined to steer a neutral course, so as to avoid war with either Britain or France.

Despite his efforts, an undeclared war called the Quasi-War broke out between the Republic of France and the U.S. between 1798-1800. Basically the war started because the U.S refused to repay French loans. The U.S. claimed that the loans were owed to the previous government, and now that that government had been toppled by the French Revolution, they should be considered void. The Republic of France saw things differently. The Quasi-War was exclusively a naval war. Neither side really won the conflict; it basically ended with a compromise in which most U.S. demands were met.

Jefferson and the First Barbary War

Thomas Jefferson served as the third President of the U.S. between 1801-1809. The main foreign policy event during his administration was the First Barbary War, a conflict fought between the U.S. and Muslim pirates of the Barbary States between 1801-1805.

Turkish pirates had been attacking American ships in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic coast of Africa. In addition to capturing American crews, the pirates also forced American merchants to pay them tribute. Jefferson decided enough was enough and sent a vessel to bombard Barbary positions. Following this show of force, the pirates backed off.

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