Throughout the span of the 18th century America frequently used a foreign policy known as isolationism when dealing with matters of foreign relations. Isolationism basically is the foreign policy in which a nation cuts off all involvement in another nation’s interests, affairs or involvement with other nations. One of the greatest examples of 18th century American isolationism is the convention of 1800. The convention ,inspired by George Washington`s Farewell Address , was a formal meeting that resolved issues caused by the XYZ Affair and dealt out a formal separation of the alliance between France and the U.S.
Prior to this convention, tensions had been tightened and limits were pushed between France and America. The problem rooted back to a diplomatic incident between France and the United States known as the XYZ Affair. France`s government had troubles…show more content… Quite a few mediators, Nicolas Hubbard, Jean Hottinguer, Pierre Bellamy and Lucien Hauteval, approached the diplomats. The French mediators said they could only meet and negotiate with the United States if their conditions were met. The United States was demanded to give France a loan, pay American merchant claims against The French, and pay a considerable bribe to Talleyrand. The French diplomats were interested in making peace with the U.S. because many of them invested in U.S. businesses and stocks. France gained more military power with every one of their military victories in Europe. They changed the terms of the loan and felt as though they had enough military power to threaten the United States if the conditions were not meet. The U.S. refused to follow the terms. President Adams did not declare war, but prepared for it. He declared the diplomatic relationship at the time to the public. Talleyrand realized he made a mistake and tried to attempt a