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Proclamation of Neutrality
An announcement issued by President George Washington declaring the nation's neutrality in the conflict between France and Great Britain. -
XYZ Affair
A diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in an undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. While an American diplomatic commission was in France, the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand demanded bribes and a loan before formal negotiations could begin. This offended the Americans and eventually left France without ever engaging in formal negotiations. -
Convention of 1800
A treaty between the United States of America and France to settle the hostilities that had erupted during the Quasi-War. -
Louisiana Purchase
President Thomas Jefferson acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River for $15 million from Napoleon Bonaparte of France. -
Embargo Act
A law passed by the United State Congress and signed by President Thomas Jefferson that prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. -
War of 1812
Great Britain attempted to cut off U.S. supplies from reaching France and caused a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain over British violations of U.S. maritime rights. -
Treaty of Ghent
The peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty restored relations between the two nations. -
Monroe Doctrine
A U.S. policy of opposing European colonialism in the Americas. Stated that European countries trying to colonize North or South America would be viewed as "the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States."