Events Leading to the Creation of a Navy Flashcards
Situation of the Continental Navy at the End of the Revolutionary War
Last ship (Alliance) sold in August 1785 because US couldn’t afford the upkeep of a Navy after the end of the revolution.
Barbary States
Countries located along the northwest coast of Africa on the Mediterranean Sea between Egypt and the Atlantic Ocean, including Tripoli, Tunis, Algiers and Morocco.
Barbary States Income
Tribute would be paid from other nations to ensure that their ships weren’t harmed. If tribute was not paid, they would capture the nation’s ships and hold the ships and sailors for ransom.
Portugal and the Barbary States
Portugal was at war with Algeria and would blockade the Strait of Gibraltar with their ships. In 1793, Charles Logis, a British diplomat, single-handedly concluded a truce between Portugal and Algeria. No more Portuguese activity in the Straight meant no more ‘cork in the bottle’
An Act to Provide a Naval Armament
Authorized 27 March 1794. Signed by then President George Washington. Authorized 1) appropriate additional money for diplomatic expenses 2) provide a naval force sufficient enough to protect American commerce from Algerian corsairs 3) establish a committee to determine the size and cost of the force. Section 9 specified that construction of the naval force would be terminated if a peace treaty with Algeria was signed.
Articles of Confederation v. Constitution
Main differences are, Navy: States are not allowed to keep warships now, Taxes: levied by and collected by federal, no longer collected by states.
War in Europe in the 1790’s and the Creation of a U.S. Navy
US traded with Britain and France during 1790s, needed defense for merchant vessels when they didn’t like the US being neutral.
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. U.S. and French negotiators restored peace with the Convention of 1800, also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine. Napoleon wanted the debts owed to France by the US from the revolution. US said we borrowed from King Louis XVI.
Article 1, Section 8
Allows Congress to tax citizens and to create a Navy.
Jay’s Treaty
John Jay, a pro-torry member of the treasury, was sent to negotiate. He negotiated with the British government. Goal was to have Britain recognize the US as an independent nation and to honor the terms that were discussed in the 1783 Paris Peace Treaty. It delayed the war of 1812, did not accomplish much.
