Domestic And Foreign Events Shape American Politics

2 Pages 483 Words

During the 1790’s, domestic and foreign events helped to mold American politics into an effective system. Certain instances allowed America to further develop its foreign policy. The main goal of our political leaders was to avoid involvement in foreign affairs. Essentially, the United States was to stay neutral in international conflicts.
Hamiltonian financial principles were an important part of early American politics. In one case, the excise tax imposed on a few domestic goods. Whiskey, being one of these items; was used by people in the west as a form of currency. Farmers, whose only means of income was whiskey, were outraged by this new tax. Violently protesting, these rebels attacked officials. Washington, encouraged by Hamilton, gathered an army to stop the revolt. When they arrived, the soldiers quickly dealt with the opposition. “The Whiskey Boy’s were overawed, dispersed, or captured.” (188). Through this event, the federal government gained new respect.
Near the start of Washington’s second term as president, the French Revolution broke out. It started off peaceful with little negative opinions from America, but soon turned violent. Most aristocrats began to have fears that France’s reign of terror might migrate across the Atlantic. Jeffersonians were opposed to the bloodshed; however, they determined that “one could not be carried from ‘despotism to liberty in a feather bed’” (191). Britain was soon involved in the conflict. This was potentially a problem for America who did not want to “entangle” itself with the two nations. In quick thinking response, Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation.
The Neutrality Proclamation in 1793 was declared without being discussed with congress first. American was militarily weak, economically weak, and politically divided. It was completely unprepared for another international war. However, leaders of the nation concluded that allowing for a generation ...