Effect of Foreign Affairs on Domestic Politics

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A major concern in current politics is a foreign affair: the war in Afghanistan. One would not consider supporting a politician without knowing how they stand on this issue. A foreign affair with a prominent place in domestic politics will significantly influence the political landscape. In the U.S. presidential election of 1796 another foreign affair dominated domestic politics: how to react to the French Revolution and maintain American neutrality. The prominent politicians of the day had many different opinions. George Washington focused on the importance of remaining neutral during the end of his second term. John Adams inherited the problem when he was inaugurated. However, his views clashed with those of his vice president Thomas Jefferson who favored affiliation with the French. Adams also disagreed with Alexander Hamilton a leader in the Federalist Party with which Adams was supposed to be affiliated. Hamilton and the Federalists were dead set against any negotiations with France.

As leader of the Republican Party Thomas Jefferson viewed the French Revolution as a continuation of the American Revolution, a movement Republicans were sure would travel around the world. They considered the French Revolutionaries as heroic patriots. England, which had taken advantage of France’s weak state after their revolution and attacked, was therefore the villain. Thus they had been extremely opposed to Jay’s Treaty, a treaty created with England under Washington’s administration in 1794, and favored a French-American Alliance. But, when Napoleon took over in 1800 Jefferson was quick to change his position. The Federalists on the other hand were opposed to an alliance with France. Hamilton was a prominent Federalist and...

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... to condemn and the Republicans something to advocate. The French Revolution also put Washington’s resolution to remain neutral to the test. When war broke out between England and France Washington chose to form a treaty with England to protect the union and give it time to grow. The challenge to remain neutral afflicted Adams as well. He had to attempt to steer through the rocky waters between France and England, as well and those between the Federalists and the Republicans; both of which met with limited success. This foreign affair is just one example of many that have shaped the domestic politics through the years. Other examples include Texas’ fight for independence from Spain, the spread of the Industrial Revolution, and tension in Europe surrounding both World Wars. However, the politicians of early America had no history to look back on for guidance.

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