Step 1 - Dilemma Description: The year is 1793 and Great Britain and France are at war with each other. Both countries want our support against the other side but President Washington wants the U.S. to remain neutral (not taking either side). However, remaining neutral will become increasingly difficult.
Secretary of State Jefferson feels that the U.S. should side with France since they helped us in our American Revolution against the British and were inspired to start their own French Revolution.
Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton feels that the U.S. should side with Great Britain because he feels the French had gone too far with their own revolution. The new leaders of France had executed the King and Queen of France and thousands of other French citizens in a "reign of terror." This violence offended many Americans like Hamilton. In addition to not wanting to side with the French, Hamilton also wants us to build a positive business relationship with the British and move towards creating a friendship with them. The French want the help of the United States and have sent over a diplomat by the name of Edmund Genet to help recruit American volunteers to attack British ships.
Step 2 - Below is a video clip of Edmund Genet meeting with President Washington and his Cabinet.
Secretary of State Jefferson feels that the U.S. should side with France since they helped us in our American Revolution against the British and were inspired to start their own French Revolution.
Secretary of the Treasury Hamilton feels that the U.S. should side with Great Britain because he feels the French had gone too far with their own revolution. The new leaders of France had executed the King and Queen of France and thousands of other French citizens in a "reign of terror." This violence offended many Americans like Hamilton. In addition to not wanting to side with the French, Hamilton also wants us to build a positive business relationship with the British and move towards creating a friendship with them. The French want the help of the United States and have sent over a diplomat by the name of Edmund Genet to help recruit American volunteers to attack British ships.
Step 2 - Below is a video clip of Edmund Genet meeting with President Washington and his Cabinet.
Step 3: As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on a separate sheet of paper and explain why it is the best choice in 30 words or more.
Step 4 - Using the video, Lesson 12 - Section 2, and "Jay's Treaty" in Section 3 - Answer the following questions.
1. What happened in France by 1793?
2. Who was Edmund Genet and what was his mission?
3. How does Washington feel about Genet recruiting American volunteers? (video)
4. What type of tone does the meeting end with? Explain. (video)
5. What did the Policy of Neutrality prohibit (forbid)?
6. What was the name of Washington's policy of avoiding alliances with other countries?
7. What were the 2 agreements of Jay's Treaty?
8. How did Americans react to Jay's Treaty? Why? (Look at the picture to the left)
1. What happened in France by 1793?
2. Who was Edmund Genet and what was his mission?
3. How does Washington feel about Genet recruiting American volunteers? (video)
4. What type of tone does the meeting end with? Explain. (video)
5. What did the Policy of Neutrality prohibit (forbid)?
6. What was the name of Washington's policy of avoiding alliances with other countries?
7. What were the 2 agreements of Jay's Treaty?
8. How did Americans react to Jay's Treaty? Why? (Look at the picture to the left)