Policy of Neutrality and the United States of America

In 1792, the European struggle began which started when the French Revolution concluded with the Napoleonic Wars. During the same year, the American government first noticed that a state of war subsisted when Thomas Jefferson, then the American Secretary of State, received a message from the French Minister at Philadelphia. In reply to the notification, Jefferson assured that the United States will remain forthcoming to France â€Å"and render all those good offices which shall be consistent with the duties of a neutral nation.†(Hyneman) During that time, President Washington was art Mount Vernon, this statement from the Secretary of State seemed to be the only direct acknowledgement by the government; thus, the United States was placed in an arrangement of a neutral state. Alongside the implementation of the policy, there were various acts and bills that were made and ratified to effectively compromise with the current state of the nation. Amongst the bill, acts, treaties that were made during that time were the Non-Intercourse Act, Macon’s Bill No.2, Pickney’s Treaty, Treaty of 1778 and the Convention of 1800 (Brodeur). For most of the treaties and acts that were made, it became ineffective and unimportant for most of its existence. The Neutrality Policy fulfilled the idealistic objectives of the nation but it did not fulfill the realistic objectives of the country. The United States did not want to partake in the European War and they were successful in doing so by agreeing with France; however, the acts and bills that were signed to further protect themselves from war caused them futile or even more losses. Works Cited: Brodeur, Paul. â€Å"Restitution: The Land Claims of the Mashpee, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Indians of New England.† American ndian Quarterly 12.4 (1988): 337-39 pp. MArch 2, 2008 . Hyneman, Charles S. â€Å"Neutrality During the European Wars of 1792-1815: America's Understanding of Her Obligations † The American Journal of Internationla Law 24.2 (1930): 279-309 pp. March 2, 2008 .