Unknown Story

French Revolution

XYZ Affair

Barbary Pirates

Embargo Act

War of 1812

Monroe Doctorine

France was in a revolution and they wanted the US to help in it, but the US had no supplies to help with so George Washington made a neutrality act. It stated that the US had no business in the conflicts of other nations. This struck outrage in France so out of spite, France started attacking US trade ships.

The US wanted France to stop attacking US trade ships but France asked for tribute first. The US refused and launched a half-war. After all the dust from the fighting settled, France signed a treaty in order to stop the attacks on ships.

Tripoli was attacking US trade ships and taking the sailors for ransom. When the US asked Tripoli to stop, Tripoli asked for tribute in order to stop. When Thomas Jefferson refused, Tripoli declared war. Immediately the US bombarded Tripoli and Tripoli pleaded for a treaty.

The USA wanted Britain and France to stop attacking their ships but they wouldn't stop so the US made the Embargo Act to sever all trade between the countries. American businesses were hurt in the process.

James Madison wanted to abandon isolation and go to war. Congress declared war on Britain. Britain ended up fighting back hard but in the end, Britain declared peace and signed a treaty to stop all war.

President James Monroe wanted the Latin American states to issue a policy but the LA's said no and Monroe made a policy called the Monroe doctrine. It stated that the US was a strong and independent state.