American Foreign Policy During the Formative Years
American foreign policy during the years of the Confederation and
the early years of the new federal republic faces a variety of challenges.
Three challenges are the most serious.
First, Great Britain continues
to challenge the independence of the new republic and maintains constant
pressure on the new government.
Second, America faces a variety of challenges
to its right to freedom of the seas and to commerce.
Finally, the
Native American "nations" provide a constant threat to American citizens
and to westward expansion.
In addition to the three challenges, America
faces one great opportunity, the opportunity to expand national territory
into Spanish and French lands of Florida and Louisiana.
