Sure, here are the key foreign policy events for each of the four presidents who followed George Washington:
1. John Adams: The key foreign policy event during Adams' presidency was the XYZ Affair. In 1797, Adams sent a three-man commission to France to negotiate a settlement due to mounting tensions. However, the French Foreign Minister demanded a bribe for negotiations to proceed, which was refused by the American delegation. This event, known as the XYZ Affair, strained U.S.-France relations and damaged the Democratic-Republican Party's pro-French stance.
2. Thomas Jefferson: The Louisiana Purchase was a significant foreign policy event during Jefferson's presidency. In 1803, Napoleon offered to sell most of the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains to the United States. Despite constitutional concerns, Jefferson agreed to the deal, doubling the size of the nation.
3. James Madison: The War of 1812 was a pivotal foreign policy event during Madison's presidency. After continued British impressment of American sailors and restrictions on American trade, Madison presented his grievances against Britain to Congress. This led to Congress declaring war on Britain in June 1812, marking a significant assertion of American sovereignty.
4. James Monroe: The Monroe Doctrine was a landmark foreign policy event during Monroe's presidency. Announced in 1823, it warned European powers against future colonization or interference in the Americas. Despite the U.S. being a minor power at that time, this bold statement shaped American foreign policy and asserted its independence.