Proclamation of Neutrality

Proclamation of Neutrality

Proclamation of Neutrality

A common phenomenon in international diplomacy and politics is position of neutrality. This basically means that the nation making such a proclamation chooses to stay neutral, and in the process chooses not to participate in the war on a direct or an indirect basis, though several neutral nations do provide assistance to warring nations in order to make a war profit. The term proclamation of neutrality, principally refers to this practice, however it also refers to an important issuance of declaration to the world and also the citizens of the States. The proclamation states that the United States shall remain neutral in the in on-going war between Great Britain and French Republic. The timeline of the decision is short and extended for just a few days, but the declaration is often wrongfully said to be Washington's proclamation of neutrality, but was in fact reached upon by the entire cabinet and was very well thought out (Jefferson, 1793).

Proclamation of Neutrality: 1793

The French Republic was established in 1792, after the French Revolution. This very revolution severely shook the remaining European monarchies. There were several members of the nobility who also had interests in the French Monarchy and in a bid to preserve them; intervention by force and military was prompted. The denouncement of the Revolutionary leaders and unnecessary political interference of the foreign nobility, led to France declaring war on Austrian Netherlands. As soon as the invasion began, one by one the remaining powers (monarchies) in Europe started to jump into the conflict, the first one being Prussia. Several monarchies including Spain and Portugal formed what is known as a First Coalition to intervene (Pacificus, 1793). The French in the mean time also declared war on Great Britain and Dutch Republic in the February of 1793. The French were thus fighting almost the entire Europe at that time. Coming back to the question, 'what was the proclamation of neutrality'? The news of this war, reached the United States in early April 1793 (Jefferson, 1793). President Washington hurriedly summoned the cabinet in Philadelphia and held an emergency meeting, the nature of which depicts the behavior of a true leader of the Republic and Democracy. The deliberation in Philadelphia resulted in the proclamation of neutrality. Significance of this meeting is that Washington considered the opinion of every leader. He made a set of 13 significant questions which included questions ...