Final answer:
The Washington administration faced four major foreign policy challenges: conflicts with Native Americans over western lands, British occupations in the Northwest Territory, Spanish control of the Mississippi River, and striving to build strong international relations as a new nation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Washington administration faced several foreign policy challenges during its tenure. One of the main issues was the settlement of the borderlands, which involved conflicts with Native Americans residing on those lands, as well as tensions with British and Spanish governments that posed threats to the territorial integrity of the United States. The administration worked to address these concerns through both military and diplomatic efforts, recognizing that national security and economic development depended on the peaceful settlement of western lands and open navigation of the Mississippi River.
- Conflict with Native Americans: Attempts to settle on lands already inhabited by various Native American tribes led to tensions and confrontations.
- British Occupations: British forces continued to occupy posts in the Northwest Territory despite the Treaty of Paris, which complicated diplomatic relations and threatened American sovereignty.
- Spanish Control: Spain controlled the lower Mississippi River, impeding American western trade and expansion.
- International Relations: As a nascent country, the U.S. struggled to assert its presence and negotiate favorable terms with European powers, affecting trade and security.