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Sunday, October 16, 2011

American Foreign Policies - The French Revolution

In your response and comments, explain why the French Revolution was such a dangerously divisive world event, even in America. Point out that part of the disagreement in America was over whether the French were only carrying out the principles of the American Revolution or whether they were advocating a more radical doctrine of class conflict.





This assignment is due by Sunday, October 23, 2011, at 11:59 p.m.

24 comments:

Nick Kuzia said...

The French Revolution affected the more than just the nations involved in the war. It was almost used like a test for the United States to really see if they really wanted a friendship with the French or if they were just using them to help defeat the British. The French were enraged when they found out that Washington had decided to stay neutral and not get involved with their war because the French had been there for the US when they needed it but now America has left them to fend for themselves. The French Revolution was more focused on carrying out principles of the American Revolution. They thought that since a new nation that had no organized military, navy, or any other forces could defend themselves from Britain, so can they. The French were more focused on what the US was doing and how they acted rather than focusing on the war at hand. They had no great intentions to attempt to wipe out the British, more or less they were trying to become more noticed around the world.

K.Biblekaj said...

The French Revolution had a big impact on the United States. The U.s. was having problems making money since they suceeded from Britain. Their alliancs, the French, wouldn't even acknowledge them as a free independant country. The U.S. had trouble in the market place. Other countries were ruled under monarchy and since U.S. revolted against the British, they don't want to do any business with them. France was angry at Washington because he decided to remain neutral and the French expected the U.S. to back them up just like they backed up the U.S. in the war against Britain. U.S. was having their own issues with money and they couldn't afford war. They didn't have a good army or navy. They were already in debt. All the U.S. wanted was respect from other countries and for them to recognize what America is about.

Abby Lynch said...

I think the French Revolution affected more then just France. It had a huge impact on the United States. Even though they were allied with France, France refused to recognize them as their own, independent country. The French expected the United States to get involved with their revolution considering they help the US through their revolution. When Washigton declared their nuetrality between Britan and France, the French were furious. Even though the US wasn't involved in the war they realy used it to see if they would have France's back and if we were strong enough to act as an independent nation.

Marissa Esposito said...

The French Revolution not only affected France and Britain but it also affected the United States. The French wanted to beat Britain a second time, however, they had some struggles. They were short on money, so they sold land to America. The Louisiana Purchase gave America control over the land west of the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, the French were assuming that the U.S. would join them in the fight against Britain. The French were very suprised when Washington issued his Neutrality Proclamation in 1793. The French were enraged. However, Britain still attacked the U.S. They seized several merchant ships in the West Indies and impressed seamen into service on British ships. The French Revolution was focused on carrying out principles of the American Revolution. The French were inspired how when they joined with America, they won. They thought their former allie would join them this time and it would act as a repeat of the American Revolution. However, this idea failed when Washington issued the Neutrality Proclamation, which meant France was on their own.

Zack Sirowich said...

The french revolution had a major affect on the US. The French Revolution showed that the US didn't want a friendship or an alliance with the french. George Washington did not want to get involved with this war, so he stayed neutral instead of picking sides. this drove the French crazy because they helped the US out in the Revolutionary War, and the US wouldn't return the favor. the french had faith that they would win because when the joined the US a new forming country they beat one of the biggest military bodies in the world. The french didn't have all their attention towards the war, they were more focused on becoming a popular force rather than winning the war

Damian Litwa said...

When the French Revolution broke out, many americans were excited that their allies were going in their footsteps. In France, many thought that the Americans would join them in the war according to their Franco-American alliance, but when Washington established the Neutrality Proclamation in 1793 it made the United States a neutral country which saved the US from utter destruction. As Washington gave his Farewell Address he warned america to stay out of foreign alliances because they were a young, weak nation that couldn't afford another war as they were in enough debt. Then during the XYZ affair Americans tried to reason with France to stop seizing american ships, but when France asked for a bribe just to meet them in a meeting it created more tension between France and America. John Adams as president did the best thing he could by keeping peace with France giving america respect by other countries. The French wanted to follow in american footsteps by being noticed by the other nations around the world rather than wiping out Britain during the Revolution.

Owaiss L. said...

The French Revolution not only had an effect on the French and British but also on the United States. When the revolution began, a group of French came over to the U.S. government and asked for assistance. The U.S. rejected their propose and told the party that they want to stay neutral. This made some Americans mad because when they needed help, the French were there so why couldn't they return the favor. Also, the revolution effected the US because the Brits started to seize american ships and make the Americans work for them. Also, a good effect occurred when the French needed money. They found the best way to make the money they needed was by selling the Louisiana Area. That is how the French Revolution effected the US.

caittrzaski said...

The French Revolution affected France, Britain, and the US. The French felt that the United States' decision to stay neutral was an unfair choice considering the French helped the US before. This led to the French capturing defenseless American ships. The capturing led to the XYZ affair when Americans went to negotiate with the French to stop seizing the ships, a lot of tension was created when the French wanted a bribe just for the meeting. this did not include a positive yes or no. The French thought defeating the British would be easy just as it was when they helped the US but alone they did not know what to do.

Willy said...

The French Revolution didn't just focus on Britain and Spain but it also focused on the U.S. It was more or less a way of seeing what side the U.S. army would take. When Washington declared the Neutrality Proclamation the French were outraged for they helped the U.S. against the British but the U.S. left them hung out to dry.
The French Revolution was started because the French realized if the U.S. army defeated the British when they were unorganized and untrained then they could beat the British hands down. However the French focused less on the war and more on what the side the U.S. was going to take in the war.

Rob Lazzaro said...

The French revolution had a great impact on The United States and many other countries. When the French began fighting it caused conflict within the United States. Some of the citizens in the nation were pro French and some were pro British. The citizens that were pro French felt that they should help the French because of how the French supported the US in its revolution. This social clash caused the people of the new country to be divided. Washington announced that the United States would remain neutral and not get involved. The British didn’t exactly buy this, they were afraid that the US would join the French side behind their back. The British then began to take American prisoners and damage American merchant ships. This was done out of fear to help protect themselves. This therefore affected the trade within the young country because many ships were too damaged to be in service. When the French began their revolution they wanted it to be similar to the American Revolution. When the French joined the Americans in their fight for independence they helped the Americans to victory. This satisfied the Americans and the French. It benefited the Americans because they were now independent and the French because they were able to get back at Britain. The French were hoping that the Americans would repay the favor and join them in their fight however, when the Neutrality Proclamation was delivered they were shocked. They had no reason to believe that the Americans wouldn’t help them but now they were unsure of their future success in the war.

TheRobBrito said...

The French Revolution was a divisive world event. It split up the alliance with France and the U.S. because U.S. remained neutral during the revolution; Washington passed the neutrality proclamation. France was angry with the U.S. because France came to help the U.S. during their revolution and now that France was going through a revolution the U.S. wouldnt come help them. France attempted to get more money for the war by the Louisiana Purchase. they sold land west of the Mississippi to the U.S..

KC Backus said...

The French Revolution had an impact not only on France but on the US as well. The French were angry that the US declared themselves neutral in the war between France and Britain. The US did so because they were still a young nation and still heavily in debt. Tensions arose between the US and the French during the XYZ affair when the French government wanted a bribe to stop attacking american ships. Tensions arose in America around the time of the Louisiana purchase when the US bought Louisiana and more land west of the Mississippi River from France. Some Americans viewed this as unconstitutional.

Jess Harkey said...

The French Revolution had a great impact on many countries. The Revolution was formed from the ideas of the revolution in America. this was the first revolt against the monarchy in France. The revolt resulted in the formation of a republic in France. These events caused many other countries to rethink their line of government also. The Americans were also effected they had depended heavily on the trade with france and england.This was because other countries did not want to trade with non monarchy countries. Because the U.S. decided to stay neutral(Washington) France was now second guessing the Americans loyalty to their peace treaty. The French Revolution was almost like a test of the American and French friendship.

Brian said...

The French Revolution was a controversial event in American history. It split the public as Jefferson's supporters were pro-French and Hamilton's supporters were pro-British. However, Washington and Adam's foreign policy was they were to stay neutral as much as they could. That angered the French as they were looking for support due to their alliance. But the US decided to focus on themselves. They had a hard enough time trying to build up their small and weak navy to protect their own nation. After all, they were just starting out and wanted to become an international power.

Rebecca M said...

The French Revolution was such a dangerously divisive would event because it was an event that went on for years and affected multiple countries such as America, France and Britain. During the french revolution the U.S wanted to stay neutral and not get into any battles with other countries so, George Washington created the Neutrality Proclamation, which failed because Britain ignored there request to stay neutral and attacked American ships. The XYZ affair also shared a part in the faliure of the Neutrality Proclamation. The U.S did not get their wish to stay neutral.

Nicole E said...

Not only did the French Revolution have an affect on France, but America, too. The new-born nation inspired the French to begin their own Revolution, yet this major event for the French left America divided. Americans were split nearly half and half- one side Pro-French and the other Pro-British. So, half the country thought they should become allies with the French, since they did help us Americans during our Revolution. This division caused major conflicts in America. Also, in this period of time, the French were angry with the Neutrality Proclamation and Washington's Farewell Address that was issued to state America's neutral standpoint between France and Britain. This only increased tensions between France and the U.S. This distracted France from their ongoing problems they were face with Britain. Overall, the French just wanted to stand out internationally by starting a revolution that was inspired by America.

Makayla O'Hara said...

The French Revolution was a dangerously world event even in America. The French got inspired by the American Revolution that they had their own. The Franco-American alliance had stated that the United States would help the French defend their West Indies against fights in the future. America owed France its freedom, but George Washington did not want to go to war. He issued the Neutrality Proclamation which stated the America should not take either side (French or British). The pro-French Jeffersonians were enraged while the pro-British Federalists were glad. The British seized American merchant ships in the West Indies because they thought America was helping to defend the French because of the Franco-American alliance. This hurt America. Later on, the French were furious by Jay's Treaty. They thought that Americans were siding with the British which were their enemies at that time. The French then seized American ships because they thought that act was a violation of the Franco-American alliance. This also hurt America. The French thought that if the new nation of America could benefit greatly from the American Revolution, they can have their own Revolution and benefit just as much if not more from it.

Claudia Valenti said...

While the French Revolution had a divisive effect on other nations, it greatly impacted America. It forced Washington to decide where America's allegiances lay: he passed the Neutrality Act and preached neutrality in his farewell address, severing the alliance with France, who had come to America's aid in their revolution and expected, but did not get, the same. This decision of neutrality was not unanimous, dividing the feelings of America's own people, splitting them in half on the subject.
The French were carrying out principles identical to the American Revolution - the idea of overthrowing oppressive monarchy for a democratic government - but newly-independent, debt-ridden America could simply not afford to go to war, and so argued that France intended to follow more radical policies.

matt hollo said...

The French Revolution was important because it was used as something to see if they really wanted a friendship with France or if they just used them to defeat the British. France was mad at the U.S. because president Washington decided to stay neutral by the proclamation of neutrality. The proclamation said that we will not get involved with foreign affairs. France got mad at them for this because France was there for us when we needed them, but we werent there for them. France was more focused on how the U.S. was acting.

Katie P said...

The French Revolution was a divisive world event, even in America. The masses fought for their liberties against a monarch, which naturally creates social divisions between the rich and poor. The poor are fighting for equality, citizenship, and unalienable rights and therefore want to overthrow the unpopular monarchy. The rich, on the other hand, are already well off in society and prefer to keep the masses where they are. In America, political divisions arose due to the French Revolution between Federalists and Republicans regarding support for the French. Federalists opposed intervening with the French, because they supported Britain. Republicans supported the French because they believed they owed the French their support after they had helped in the American Revolution, and must honor the Franco-American alliance. The French were not only carrying out the principles of the American Revolution, however. They were indeed advocating a more radical doctrine of class conflict. The masses in France extinguished aristocrats during the Reign of Terror, and they guillotined the king and queen. The American Revolution was a colonial conflict, but the French revolution was a class conflict filled with much more bloodshed.

Jake Walkinshaw said...

The french revolution affected more than just the nations who were involved in the war. It played a decisive role in the development of the United States as a country. The US was a very young country and were still trying to develop an identity for themselves. They were forced to make a decision between assisting the French who helped the US in the American Revolution, or the British who were the US's major trading partner. the decision by the us to remain neutral in this conflict enraged both the british and the french. US foreign policy clearly stated that we wanted to remain neutral as often as possible in order to build up our own navy and be able to protect our own borders. This revolution was a test of the US and Frances friendship. The american revolution was what inspired them to revolt and were appalled that the US would not assist them in their revolution.

kamila z said...

The French Revolution affected more than the countries involved in the war. It effected America too.Even in America their French alliances would not even recognize America as an independent country.The alliance that America had with France was breaking apart.France was getting furious with America because Washington decided to remain neutral,neutrality proclamation.This tested the peace treaty between America and France.

Laura said...

The French Revolution affected the US, France, and Britain. It showed that the US wasn't looking for a friendship or alliance with the French by staying neutral in the war, although they helped us out. Also, the French Revolution was more focused on carrying out the principles of the American Revolution. They figured that it would go the same for them if such a new, defneseless nation could defeat Britain but they didn't have us to back them up.

Claudia Majkner said...

The French Revolution not only affected Britain and France, but it was a dangerously divisive world event because it affected the United States as well. Since Washington decided that the US remain neutral during the war, it increased tensions with France. This is because the French believed that after selling the US the Louisiana Purchase, they had formed some sort of alliance. Also, since the US had revolted from Britain, that gave the French another reason to believe the US would take their side. Washington made it clear that he didn't want the US to get inbolved with foreign affairs in his Farewell Address because America was a young nation that couldn't handle the problems. Washington also believed that by not getting involved with foreign affairs America could establish themselves as an independent nation that could fend for themselves.