The+Early+Presidencies-The+War+of+1812

America's first three presidents, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson all had to find ways to organize the government to solve the foreign and domestic problems that challenged the nation throughout the 1790s and early 1800s. Washington would have to balance America's alliance on a thin line when France and Great Britain returned to war, John Adam's would have to deal with rising competition amongst political parties within the American government system, and Jefferson would have to deal an expanding nation that was once again about to double in size.

Despite the best efforts of American presidents such as Washington, Adams, and Jefferson to maintain a neutral position between warring France and Great Britain, America finally becomes a part of the fray by 1812. Due in part to America's belief that Great Britain is assisting Native Americans in conflicts with settlers in the Northwest Territory, as well as capturing American merchant ships and forcing its sailors into military service for Great Britain, America under it's newly elected president, James Madison, finds itself at war again against Great Britain.



Foreign Policy Research Mini-project