The Pros And Cons Of American Foreign Policy

The earliest American foreign policy successes formulated through the consistent turmoil that engrossed Europe. The historian Samuel Flagg Bemis even coined the phrase “Europe’s distresses led to America’s earliest diplomatic successes.” From the nation’s bloody revolution, to major expansions across the North American continent, major victories for the United States was an outcome of war torn European nations unable to preserve their power in the west and cunning American legislators that parted from traditional diplomacy. Americans fought an uphill battle for respect and global recognition starting with the American Revolution. Patriots kept the British at bay in the early phases of the war but could not sustain under continued offense …show more content…
Napoleon negotiated with Spain for occupation of Louisiana in 1800 in exchange for Tuscany and a written pledge to never sell Louisiana to a third party. French occupation in the west did not just threaten commerce in the United States, but the sovereignty and future of the nation. Knowing that the French armies would be detrimental to the nation, the typically pro-French President Jefferson proposed that “We must marry ourselves to the British fleet and nation” for survival. As Napoleon prepared a massive army in Holland to occupy Louisiana, fate twisted in the favor of the United States and slave born rebellions ravished through French occupied Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo ports were essential for French success in Louisiana. Touissaint L’Overture embarked on the disastrous mission to regain control of the Caribbean Colony. Plagued with yellow fever and guerrilla warfare, Napoleons army was decimated with the loss of 50,000 men and still no control over Santo Domingo. Knowing that Louisiana was nothing more than a reliability without control over the Caribbean island, Napoleon disengaged his mission in the New World and negotiations began in Paris. In 1803, James Monroe and Robert Livingston were astonished as Napoleon …show more content…
The coveted peninsula would seal American control on the eastern seaboard, opening vital ports for American trade. After already annexing West Florida from the French government, President James Monroe sent John Quincy Adams to hash out negotiate with Spanish official Luis de Onís for the eastern territory in 1817. Negotiations were initially unsuccessful and Spain even seeks European aid in halting American expansion. France and England, both embroiled with war, did not have the time or money to collide with Spain and once again Americans were dealt a pass based on European chaos. While negotiations continue in Spain, Andrew Jackson seized all of Florida in his crusade on the Amerindians. Jackson captured Spanish bases, disposed of the Spanish governor and executed two Brits for inspiring aggression. Spain was simply outraged by the American onslaught, but Adams only saw Jacksons aggressions as an opportunity to close in on his target. Adams vigorously defended the actions of the man he despised and argued to Onís that Spain did not have the power to keep Amerindians in line anymore. To American benefit, a more pressing matter emerged for the Spanish. Anti-colonial rebellions littered South America, signaling the decline in global Spanish authority. Florida no longer was a top tier issue for Madrid. Onís was ordered to cede Florida and negotiate for