Presidential Biographies | Washington Administrations - Foreign Issues

Foreign Issues

The United States was in a difficult position when Washington took office in 1789. The American Revolution (1775–83) with Britain had ended only six years before, and tensions between the two nations remained high. Particularly troubling to the United States was Britain's refusal to abandon its forts in the northwestern part of the United States. Many Americans, however, still felt strong ties to the British, particularly in the North. Many northern merchants and businesspeople, the same who made up and were supported by Alexander Hamilton's Federalists, depended on trade with Britain for their livelihoods and did not want to see renewed conflict with that nation.

Yet at the same time, many Americans felt strongly about Britain's longtime enemy, France. France had provided crucial support for the colonies during the war, and most Americans were grateful to France for this help. Many of these Americans also...