Question

By 1797, the United States had been mocked by the French (XYZ Affair), attacked repeatedly by the Barbary States, and bullied by the English. How did the United States finally change its foreign policy as a result of these problems? a. The United States authorized an Army and Navy for the first time since the Revolutionary War. This resulted in six new warships, a Marine Corps and a small army, which was able to defeat the Barbary States by 1805 and convinced the French to be more respectful to avoid another war. b. The United States created an alliance with Portugal, Prussia and Peru (The Alliance of P's). This trading and military alliance forced Europe (who also wanted to trade with America, Peru and Prussia) to treat the U.S. with more dignity. C. The United States raised the Foreign Commerce Tax upon imports and exports to Europe. This tax allowed the U.S. to pay annual tributes to the French and to the Barbary States until 1825, when new treaties were created that allowed for a more equal relationship between the U.S. and Europe. d. The United States simply withdrew from European politics and instead set up new colonies in the Pacific (Hawaii & Puerto Rico) to trade with. By setting up a system of independent mercantile trade like the English had done 200 years before, America was able to become a new economic powerhouse within 50 years. After 1815, a number of Spain's colonies in America began to claim independence from Spain. As these revolutions progressed, several European powers planned to invade Latin America and claim old Spanish territory as their own. What was the policy of the United States in regards to these events? a. President Monroe announced a 'Doctrine," in which the United States declared Latin America as part of the "U.S. Sphere" of influence, and he also promised to defend Latin America from any European invasion. b. The United States had no opinion on this situation. The United States immediately announced plans to begin conquering Latin America before any Europeans could, in the name of "Manifest Destiny." d. Vice President Quale announced a new American policy that forced Europeans to sign a treaty of of mutual alliance with the United States before they could colonize Latin America. C.

Answer 1

1) Option A

The US after its independence in the 1774 focused on the economy and it has signed 'Jay Treaty' with the Great Britain. France which has supported the US in its independence war didn't like that as Great Britain was its arch rival in European theater as well as in North America. Further, US refusal to honor debt obligations by France resulted in Quasi War. It ended the US-France alliance but also reduced attacks by French on US merchant ships.
The situation in Mediterranean was not also favorable for the US as Barbary states had been disruption US trade. They were asking tribute and used to capture the US merchant ships.
The US government in response to these situations re-established its navy and army and defeated Algiers while signed peace treaty with Morocco.

2) Option A

The European countries had colonies all over the world and the US was also a colony of European powers. However, unfair treatment resulted in the US independence in which it defeated the powerful Great Britain. Similarly, Spain was also a big power and almost whole South America was its colony. Those colonies began to revolt against the Spanish colonial rule and declared independence. Other European powers such as Portugal, Germany, Belgium were looking for the opportunity to grab those newly freed colonies.
The US President Monroe in that situation declared that Western Hemisphere is the 'US sphere of Influence'.
This is known as 'Monroe Doctrine' which also mentioned that it will not interfere in European politics and will not oppose existing colonies in the Latin America but would oppose of forming any new colonies.