Foreign Policy under the Articles of Confederation (1783-1789)

The "dis-united states"

The independence of the states and the low-level of power held by the federal government (no power to tax, raise an army, or enforce its declarations in the states) caused serious diplomatic problems. The US government received no respect from the powers of Europe.

Anglo-American Problems

Lack of any commercial treaties.

This made a trade war possible75% of all trade was carried on with Great Britain, and 90% of all imports came from Great Britain.

Violations of the Peace Treaty of 1783

• Debts: The states had absolved themselves of all debts to British creditors, despite the treaty terms negotiated by the federal government.
• Loyalists treatment: The treaty terms had asked that they be returnedtheir property and treated well. Instead, they were abused, harassed, and descriminated against.
• Great Lakes Posts: In response to the American violations of the treaty terms, the British refused to abandon the valuable fur trading posts along the great lakes that were within the agreed upon American territories.

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