1829 Andrew Jackson - America First. Jackson's Foreign Policy Motto

When Andrew Jackson became president in 1829, he capitalized on a growing spirit of nationalism in America.  Jackson promised to put America first, and committed his foreign policy that would "ask nothing that is not clearly right and to submit to nothing that is wrong".  For those countries that cooperated, it was an olive branch, but for those who did not it was a firm warning of  'don't tread on me'.   It was a starkly different approach than that of John Quincy Adams whose temperament and training brought with it a steady, but drawn out approach to foreign diplomacy.  One of the first application's of Jackson's 'America First' foreign policy were the attempts to collect on French Indemnity payments outstanding since the Napoleonic wars.

In 1800, President John Adams signed the Treaty of Montefontaine with France hoping to begin negotiations with France to obtain indemnity for American merchants whose cargoes were captured and seized during the Napoleonic War.  Yet, it wasn't until the Convention of 1822 under the Monroe administration, that Secretary of John Quincy Adams hammered a new treaty with France that would allow for these negotiations to begin.  Unfortunately, as the health of King Louis XIII of France deteriorated, progress was delayed.   In 1825, JQA was now president and Charles X replaced his late brother Louis XIII as King. The new Adams administration took a more diplomatic and friendly approach to negotiations, and called upon France as America's first and greatest ally to agree to send the indemnity claims out for arbitration with a sovereign third party such as Russia.    In 1827, Secretary Clay gave James Brown the U.S. Minister to Paris instructions to negotiate an arbitration deal with France, but this appeal to the magnanimous relations with France yielded no results.

By 1828, a growing Nationalist spirit in America was becoming out of touch with the friendly negotiations largely orchestrated by John Quincy Adams, and were demanding a new and firmer approach with France.  Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans, and a man of the people rose to the occasion and as President he outlined a new foreign policy.  Jackson capitalized on the rising national spirit, and promised to put America's new found strength to the task.  In his first State of the Union, he announced that America "is fully adequate to the maintenance of all her interests".   As Executive, he committed his foreign policy to be one that would "ask nothing that is not clearly right and to submit to nothing that is wrong".  Jackson did not hold back, when he said " I flatter myself that, supported by the other branches of the Government and by the intelligence and patriotism of the people, we shall be able, under the protection of Providence, to cause all our just rights to be respected."   President Andrew Jackson promised in all things to put 'America first', a sentiment that future presidents would follow.

"Our foreign relations, although in their general character pacific and friendly, present subjects of difference between us and other powers of deep interest as well to the country at large as to many of our citizens. To effect an adjustment of these shall continue to be the object of my earnest endeavors, and not with standing the difficulties of the task, I do not allow myself to apprehend unfavorable results. Blessed as our country is with every thing which constitutes national strength, she is fully adequate to the maintenance of all her interests. In discharging the responsible trust confided to the Executive in this respect it is my settled purpose to ask nothing that is not clearly right and to submit to nothing that is wrong; and I flatter myself that, supported by the other branches of the Government and by the intelligence and patriotism of the people, we shall be able, under the protection of Providence, to cause all our just rights to be respected."

One of Jackson's first opportunity to put his 'America First' policy to the test was over the French Indemnity claims. Rather than appeal to the magnanimity of France, Jackson applied his foreign policy motto of "ask nothing that is not clearly right and to submit to nothing that is wrong"   To France, he first offered an olive branch that if they would embrace to their "full extent the wholesome principles which constitute our commercial policy", he would provide them with full cooperation. This was followed with a warning, that if the indemnity claims of American citizens were not yet satisfied, it would lead to an "unpleasant discussion and possible collision between the two Governments".  Jackson expressed hope that the the French King would uphold his integrity and make good on the "injurious delays" of these payments.   Jackson was to be a man of action, and he told Congress that our minister to France William C. Rives was already instructed to press demand on the French government "with all the earnestness which is called for by their importance and irrefutable justice".

"From France, our ancient ally, we have a right to expect that justice which becomes the sovereign of a powerful, intelligent, and magnanimous people. The beneficial effects produced by the commercial convention of 1822, limited as are its provisions, are too obvious not to make a salutary impression upon the minds of those who are charged with the administration of her Government. Should this result induce a disposition to embrace to their full extent the wholesome principles which constitute our commercial policy, our minister to that Court will be found instructed to cherish such a disposition and to aid in conducting it to useful practical conclusions. The claims of our citizens for depredations upon their property, long since committed under the authority, and in many instances by the express direction, of the then existing Government of France, remain unsatisfied, and must therefore continue to furnish a subject of unpleasant discussion and possible collision between the two Governments. I cherish, however, a lively hope, founded as well on the validity of those claims and the established policy of all enlightened governments as on the known integrity of the French Monarch, that the injurious delays of the past will find redress in the equity of the future. Our minister has been instructed to press these demands on the French Government with all the earnestness which is called for by their importance and irrefutable justice, and in a spirit that will evince the respect which is due to the feelings of those from whom the satisfaction is required."

As of 1830, there had been little progress, but Jackson shared with Congress in his 1830 State of the Union that, the negotiations were being conducted with "zeal and ability".  Jackson remained confident in the character of the French People and the integrity of the Monarch that negotiations would be fruitful.  In Jackson's words, France was a "just and magnanimous nation.  Perhaps these words were not only words of hope to the American people, but also words of flattery for the King of France.

"The negotiation with France has been conducted by our minister with zeal and ability, and in all respects to my entire satisfaction. Although the prospect of a favorable termination was occasionally dimmed by counter pretensions to which the United States could not assent, he yet had strong hopes of being able to arrive at a satisfactory settlement with the late Government. The negotiation has been renewed with the present authorities, and, sensible of the general and lively confidence of our citizens in the justice and magnanimity of regenerated France, I regret the more not to have it in my power yet to announce the result so confidently anticipated. No ground, however, inconsistent with this expectation has yet been taken, and I do not allow myself to doubt that justice will soon be done us. The amount of the claims, the length of time they have remained unsatisfied, and their incontrovertible justice make an earnest prosecution of them by this Government an urgent duty. The illegality of the seizures and confiscations out of which they have arisen is not disputed, and what ever distinctions may have heretofore been set up in regard to the liability of the existing Government it is quite clear that such considerations can not now be interposed. 

The commercial intercourse between the two countries is susceptible of highly advantageous improvements, but the sense of this injury has had, and must continue to have, a very unfavorable influence upon them. From its satisfactory adjustment not only a firm and cordial friendship, but a progressive development of all their relations, may be expected. It is, therefore, my earnest hope that this old and vexatious subject of difference may be speedily removed. 

I feel that my confidence in our appeal to the motives which should govern a just and magnanimous nation is alike warranted by the character of the French people and by the high voucher we possess for the enlarged views and pure integrity of the Monarch who now presides over their councils, and nothing shall be wanting on my part to meet any manifestation of the spirit we anticipate in one of corresponding frankness and liberality."

In 1831, a new treaty was negotiated calling for France to pay 25 million francs for the indemnity claims of the American merchants.   Three years later, France continued to refuse to pay the claims, and this infuriated Andrew Jackson.  He  ordered the U.S. Navy to stand by and asked Congress to approve military action.  France was annoyed, but agreed to pay the money if the United States apologized.  Jackson, who promised to "submit to nothing that is wrong", refused and diplomatic relations were broken off until December of 1835.   In the picture above, Andrew Jackson is pictured challenging King Louis Philippe I of France to a fight while being advised by King Neptune.

References

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Wagner, D. (2018). 1827 John Quincy Adams - Fresh Start with France over Indemnity Claims. [online] Stateoftheunionhistory.com. Available at: http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2018/05/1827-john-quincy-adams-fresh-start-with.html [Accessed 14 Aug. 2018].

En.wikipedia.org. (2018). France–United States relations. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France%E2%80%93United_States_relations [Accessed 14 Aug. 2018].

Miller Center. (2018). Andrew Jackson: Foreign Affairs | Miller Center. [online] Available at: https://millercenter.org/president/jackson/foreign-affairs [Accessed 14 Aug. 2018].