In the period between 1789 and 1825 the United States foreign policy had been primarily a defensive reaction to perceived or actual threats from Europe. The proclamation of neutrality and the eventual war of 1812 were two major issues that would prove the United States' foreign policy to be of a defensive reaction. That would be shown in Hamilton and Jefferson's reaction to the French revolution, and then later in the Washington's Farewell Address. When the time reaches the 1800's, the war of 1812 led to the proclaiming of Monroe Doctrine would also prove itself useful for couple decades. In the 1793 the French revolution has occurred and that issue split the United States in half. The pro French revolution group wanted the government to help French. Neutrality group is keeping out of the revolution. The United States in 1793 was still militarily weak, economically, wobbly, and politically disunited. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson responses to that were to apply the strategy of delay, in other words remaining "neutral". In the Bailey text it wrote, "The strategy of delay, playing for time while the birthrate fought America's battles, was a cardinal policy of the Founding Fathers." George Washington, president of the United States too believes in the policy of remaining neutral. Therefore he announced the of Neutrality Proclamation, which proclaimed "the government's official neutrality in the widening conflict but sternly warned American citizens to be impartial toward both Britain and France armed camps." During Washington's last day in office, his Farewell Address still emphasize in the neutrality idea which stated, "It is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portions of the foreign world, so far, I mean, as we are now at liberty to do it." When the period of 1800's reaches, the United States was once again caught between a European warfare, the Napoleonic War. Britain and France both intensely committed to victory, ignored the neutrality stand of the United States. Britain, the naval power, severely threatened America the most. Issues such as British Order of Council had prohibited trade with all British enemy ports on the European continent. If it was not obey seizure and confiscation will be held. Another key issue was the Impressment which is taking U.S. sailors into the British Navy without his consent. That issue finally over filled the pot of American anger and later led to the war of 1812. US had tried to prevent the war all along the way. We can see that in John Jay's treaty. And later came the Monroe Doctrine which was another hardcore evidence that prove US's foreign policy was defensive. In the late 1823 there were rumors of the great powers of Europe such as Russia, Austria, Prussia, and France were planning to crush the upstart colonials and restore Spanish misrule. Thus creating a wave of fear. Therefore, President Monroe wrote the Monroe Doctrine that stated "the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for the future colonization by any European powers�K" The statement, "Early United States foreign policy was primarily a defensive reaction to perceived or actual threats from Europe," was in fact a very true statement. The United States reacts accordingly to European affair. The Founding Father's neutrality stand on French revolution, reaction of War 1812, and lastly the Monroe doctrine was to avoid intervening with foreign matters, so that the United States doesn't have to act accordingly to European affairs.
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