Question

Which statement describes President Washington's first reaction to the war between England and France that began in 1793:

A. He declared immediate support for France in the conflict
B. He issued a proclamation of neutrality in the war
C. He advocated for an alliance with England against France
D. He called for the mobilization of U.S. forces to aid the French

Answer 1

Option (B), President Washington's first reaction to the war between England and France in 1793 was to issue a proclamation of neutrality, aiming to maintain American security and protect economic interests without explicitly using the word 'neutrality'.

Step-by-step explanation:

President Washington's first reaction to the war between England and France that began in 1793 was B. He issued a proclamation of neutrality in the war. Despite the Treaty of Alliance of 1778, which suggested an obligation for American support to France, Washington's administration sought a neutral stance to maintain American security and economic interests, particularly in light of Secretary of State Jefferson's concerns about jeopardizing American security and Secretary of Treasury Hamilton's focus on trade relations with Britain.

On April 22, 1793, Washington's proclamation made it clear that the United States would remain 'friendly and impartial' to the belligerent powers and not get involved in European conflicts, although the proclamation itself did not explicitly use the word 'neutrality'.