Final answer:
The United States grappled with the XYZ Affair, the War of 1812, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo as significant foreign issues from 1788 to 1865. Additionally, the American public experienced considerable division over the French Revolution in the 1790s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Foreign Issues Faced by the United States (1788-1865)
Between 1788 and 1865, the United States dealt with several foreign affairs that challenged the young nation’s diplomacy and shaped its international stance. Three significant issues in particular include:
- XYZ Affair: A diplomatic incident in 1797-1798 during President John Adams’ administration, wherein French officials demanded bribes from American negotiators. The revelation of this affair led to public outrage and the quasi-war with France.
- War of 1812: Conflict between the United States and Great Britain, largely over issues including British trade restrictions and support for Native American tribes against American expansionism.
- Monroe Doctrine: A cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy expressed in 1823, which warned European powers against further colonization or interference in the Western Hemisphere, asserting American interests in the region.
- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: The 1848 treaty that ended the Mexican-American War and resulted in U.S. acquisition of extensive territories in the what is now the southwestern United States.
Regarding the internal divisions in American foreign policy during the 1790s, these were mainly over the French Revolution. Americans were divided in their support for or against the revolutionary government of France, a situation that greatly influenced the country's foreign relations.