The U.S. president, George Washington, made an executive decision to remain a neutral country during The French Revolution.
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Introduction
- Dying from starvation, taxes only for the poor and social inequality are just a few things that riled up those who started one of the most horrifying events in France, The French Revolution.
- It was a period when the French people wanted to abolish the government and establish rights for the broader population, who lacked representation in government. It was caused by many social and economic factors, such as hunger and taxes.
C. The U.S. president, George Washington, made an executive decision to remain a neutral country during The French Revolution.
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1. The French needed the American support to use their ports for arming privateers.
2. America was an ally to France. France sent an estimated 12,000 soldiers and 32,000 sailors to the American War effort. King Louis became good friends with George Washington.
3. The united states chose to stay away because, after the American Revolution, they were still dealing with substantial debt.
4. Washington decided to stay away from politics because he believed that it was the primary cause of threats to the nation. The main threats were both foreign and domestic, which at that time seemed to combine. First, Washington recognized that the ‘spirit of the party’ had significant effects on the health of the nation. It allowed a small but crafty and innovative minority to put in place of the delegated will of the party, or rather the country.
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1. The American’s thought the French were “imitating them in their desire for freedom.”
2. Americans realized that the French Revolution served as an instigator to encourage bigger, far-reaching conflicts throughout Europe.
3. The united states were sympathetic with the French but engaging themselves with the revolution seemed risky and untimely since they had experienced their heartaches and successes recently.
4. The Americans were going through the mending of their destroyed relations with Great Britain when the French revolution started. At that moment, it was important for the Americans to trade with Great Britain to ensure survival and the stability of their economy. Therefore, many of the American leaders were not willing to lose those ties. Some of the American federalists like Alexander Hamilton and George Washington viewed the French revolution as homicidal anarchy. They preferred economic relationships with Britain to sympathy for the French protestors.
5. The united states could not participate in foreign conflicts since domestic sustainability and survival were their top priorities. Therefore, involving themselves in international affairs would result in economic instability and hardships. Also, their military was not strong enough to fight another war almost immediately after the American revolution. Despite the sympathy, the united states were not equipped adequately to economically, politically, and physically support the French rebels.
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1. America chose to remain neutral, which may have saved the country from potential political turmoil, international criticism and violence.
2. Trade with Great Britain was vital to the stability and survival of the American economy. American could not afford to continue supporting the French, which is another reason why America remained neutral.
Conclusion
A. While America supported France at the beginning of their revolution, they later had to make a change, in regards to the course of action possibly taken to fully support the country. Politically, America’s reasoning was justified, but personally and business-wise, it was abandoned. Although America would’ve been severely impacted had they collaborated with France, they owed it to France. France placed themselves into further debt to support America during its revolution and was allies to the French. As an ally, it would be expected of them to join forces, and they didn’t. Imagine your business partner choosing to remain neutral with you and your competitor for their selfish gains.