The Neutrality Proclamation

                                    The Neutrality Proclamation

         Background:

         The beginning of the French Revolution occurred during Washington’s first term as President. By, 1793, the continent of Europe was engulfed in war, pitting England, Prussia, Austria, and Spain against the new French Republic.  Washington’s Cabinet was split on what to do.

         Decision:

          President Washington sought to win respectability from foreign powers, but wanted the United States to stay free of foreign entanglements so that the country could prosper.  In his Proclamation of Neutrality, Washington outlined America’s foreign policy and vowed that the United States would “pursue a conduct friendly and impartial toward the belligerent powers.” Washington also included a warning to all American citizens that if they were caught violating the Proclamation the United States government would prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.  The President also promised that if an American citizen was caught violating the law by a European power, the U.S. would not protect that citizen from European punishments. 

         Consequences:

         In the United States, many Americans felt that the President had turned his back on an old ally.  Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson felt that the President was favoring Hamilton, and began to plan for his resignation from the Cabinet. 

         France and Britain took little notice of Washington’s Proclamation and began attacking American ships a few years later.