Washington's Cabinet

With Europe engulfed in war, President Washington faced the difficult task of deciding what the foreign policy of the U.S. would be. The Republic of France found itself fighting against five nations: Great Britain, Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Sardinia. The country was divided over what to do.

Britain was America's number one trading partner. A war with Britain would be devastating to the U.S. economy. Many Americans felt that since there were strong cultural ties with Britain the U.S. should side with the British in their struggles against France. The American government was in debt to the British government. By support for the British in war would offer a way to pay off that debt. The government of Spain threatened to close off the port city of New Orel ans, and end trade on the Mississippi River. By supporting the British, the American government would ensure that New Orleans would stay open, and that trade in the West would not be disrupted.

The U.S. had signed a treaty with the French in the 1780s. This treaty promised that the U.S. would be allies with the French and come to their aid if the nation was ever attacked. Many Americans felt that since the French had come to our aid during the Revolutionary War, it was our duty to help them in their time of need. The attack of the world's only other Republic, made many Americans believe that the U.S. should support the spread of democracy.

Since the treaty was signed with the French king, and the king was now dead, some Americans felt that the treaty was no longer valid. A group of Americans wanted the country to remain neutral and not get involved in the European conflict. Since the U.S. was in debt, it would not be prudent to start a war that would put the nation further into debt. The fighting in Europe had already claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers. If it w Department as possible to avoid shedding American blood, why not stay out of war?

Washington had assembled five very talent and qualified men to help run the country. These men became the heads of the State Department, Treasury Department, War Department, Justice Department, and the Postal Service. Washington relied on these men for guidance in decision making, and support for his policies. Three of his Cabinet officials were his most trusted adviors.

Secretary of State: Thomas Jefferson from Virginia. Jefferson believed that the French Revolution was a good thing. To Jefferson, the Revolution was a sign of the growth of Democracy. He felt that the U.S. should encourage another Republic, and help France defeat Great Britain.

Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton from New York. Hamilton was a financial genius who served under Washington during the American Revolution. Hamilton saw the violence in Europe as a sign of the unpredictable and violent nature of man. He wanted the U.S. to side with the British. Since Britain was America's #1 trading partner, he thought that it would be best for the American economy to support the British in their struggle against France,

Secretary of War: Henry Knox, from Cambridge Massachusetts. Knox was one of Washington's most trusted generals from the Revolutionary War. Knox was in charge of the War Department of the new nation. The U.S. army was very small in 1793 (about 600 men) and there was no navy. Knox wanted the U.S. to not get involved with the war. believing that the U.S. was not prepared to fight a war.