In contrast to Washington’s first term of presidency, the second term was bombarded with foreign policy. At the start of his second term, Washington established the Proclamation of Neutrality in 1793 to keep away from interfering with foreign affairs due to America’s weak military and economical condition. Washington stood by his foreign policy risking the termination of the Franco-American alliance by not aiding the French in war against the British. With this in mind, French diplomat Edmond Genet advanced to the United States to gain support for France’s involvement in the war but was sent back to France when he tried to organize privateers to attack British vessels. Moreover, the United States was on the verge of war with Britain. In hopes of destroying the animosity between the Americans and the British, the Jay Treaty was signed in 1794 which allowed British troops off U.S. soil but in return the United States was obligated to pay of their debt owed to the British. Not only did the Jay Treaty keep America tied with the British, but it tested the Franco-American alliance and the relations between the French and the Americans went from bad to worse. Although an unpopular pact, the Jay Treaty led to the establishment of the Pinckney Treaty in 1795 which tied the United States with Spain in a pact that granted the United States land and navigation of the Mississippi River. Thus after an absence of foreign policy in his first term, Washington’s second term became flooded with foreign relations and quarrels that tied the United States to European countries through pacts and treaties.
In addition to America’s foreign affairs with the European nations during Washington’s second term, the United States had relations with the Native Americans as well especially regarding the signing of the Treaty of Greenville which ceded Indian Territory of Ohio to the Americans after their defeat in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.
Furthermore, Washington even mentioned foreign policy in his farewell address in 1796. Washington advises his countrymen to stay clear of permanent alliances with foreign nations as he states in his farewell address, "is our true policy to steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” As shown in Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality, Washington tried to prevent at all costs in engaging war with foreign nations. Hence, Washington’s foreign policy meant of great importance during his second term of presidency in prevention of America engaging in war.
Finally, while the first four years of Washington’s presidency dealt with the fixing the problems within his own country, the next four years had to do with foreign affairs and standing by his foreign policy. The basis for a new government was so essential and needed in America that Washington occupied himself during his first term in rebuilding the country that he was not concerned with foreign affairs until the second term. However, during Washington’s next four years in office he incorporated foreign policy into his presidency. Treaties and events such as the Jay Treaty, Pinckney Treaty, and the Genet Affair tied the United States with European nations while the Treaty of Greenville connected the Americans with the Native Americans. In fact, foreign policy became so dominant in Washington’s second term of presidency that he addressed it in his farewell address advising his fellow countrymen to not engage in permanent alliances with other nations. Therefore, the importance and dominance of foreign policy were not shown through the first four years of Washington’s administration but definitely became visible by the time his second term started.
