Lecture Notes: Settling International Issues

The Big Idea

• The Monroe administration secured and expanded U.S. borders by resolving international disputes.

Key Disputes and Resolutions

United States and Great Britain

• Rush-Bagot Agreement (1817):
  • Limited naval power on the Great Lakes.
  • Demilitarized the border by allowing only one military ship and cannon on Lake Ontario and Lake Champlain for each nation.
  • Two ships allowed on the other Great Lakes.
• Convention of 1818:
  • Established the U.S.-Canada border at 49°N latitude up to the Rocky Mountains.
  • Granted the U.S. fishing rights off parts of Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • Both nations agreed to jointly occupy the Oregon Country.

United States Gains Florida

• Post-War of 1812 tensions with Seminoles in Spanish Florida.
  • Seminoles sheltered runaway slaves; Americans invaded Florida to recapture them.
• First Seminole War (1817-1818):
  • Led by General Andrew Jackson.
  • U.S. troops invaded Florida and removed Seminoles.
  • Jackson captured St. Marks and Pensacola without direct orders, leading to Spanish protests.
• Adams-Onís Treaty (1819):
  • Negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams and Spanish diplomat Luis de Onís.
  • Spain ceded Florida to the U.S.; U.S. relinquished claims to Texas.
  • U.S. agreed to pay $5 million of its citizens’ claims against Spain.

Critical Analysis and Questions

• Why the Rush-Bagot Agreement and Convention of 1818 were compromises:
  • Reduced military presence and settled fishing rights and border issues.
• Adams-Onís Treaty Significance:
  • Expanded U.S. territory and resolved border disputes with Spain.

Reflection

• Consideration of living under new governance for Spanish settlers in Florida.
• Evaluation of Andrew Jackson's unauthorized military actions and their implications for U.S.-Spain diplomacy.

Summary

• Compromise characterized U.S. foreign policy after the War of 1812.
• The following lesson will cover strong U.S. leadership and the Monroe Doctrine.