Anglo-American Relations, 1789-1794
Anglo-American Relations, 1789-1794
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Date
1976
Authors
Mezzullo, Louis A.
Advisor
Gordon, Donald C.
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Abstract
The thesis is a study of certain internal and external
events that affected the development of Anglo-American relations
during the period from 1789 to 1794. It examines the
international situation b efore and after the adoption of
the Constitution in 1789, aspects of British policy toward
the United States during this period, the diplomatic mission
of Gouverneur Morris, the struggle in Congress over the
resolutions introduced by James Madison designed to discriminate
against British shipping, and finally, the events leading
up to the appointment of John Jay as envoy extraordinary to
Great Britain. The narrative and analysis is based on printed
secondary and primary sources. The central theme is that the
policy advocated by Alexander Hamilton, and supported by most
of the Federalists, was on the whole the one best suited to
the strengths and weaknesses, internal and external, of
the United States during this early stage in its development.
Viewed in a contemporary setting, a policy that sought
to avoid war and retain commercial intercourse with Great
Britain was not only essential to the success of the financial
system erected by Hamilton but also necessary to prevent internal disunity and loss of territory as a result of
a disastrous war. The Hamiltonian system rested on credit,
and that credit was supported by import duties. By far the
largest amount of imports came from Great Britain. Internal
disunity, exemplified by separatist movements in the west
and in Vermont, was an ever present consideration. The
United States was not strong militarily. By remaining at
peace, America gained time to reduce the national debt,
develop internally, and improve the administration of the
national government.