ID: Proclamation of Neutrality
When: April 22, 1793
Who:
Issued by President George Washington
What:
Declared the United States’ official neutrality in the conflict between Great Britain and France. It prohibited Americans from fighting for either side and barred French and British warships from American ports.
Impact? Why Significant?:
- Established a precedent of American neutrality in foreign wars, a principle largely followed throughout the 19th century.
- Angered pro-French Democratic-Republicans who felt obligated to help France, leading to increased political partisanship between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
- Contributed to strained relations with France, ultimately leading to the Quasi-War (an undeclared naval war) between 1798 and 1800.