This agreement, negotiated in 1794 between the United States and Great Britain, aimed to resolve several lingering issues from the American Revolutionary War. These included British occupation of forts in the Northwest Territory, disputes over neutral trade rights, and American debts owed to British creditors. The treaty, officially titled the Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation, represents a significant moment in early American foreign policy.
The pacts significance lies in its contribution to averting war with Britain and establishing a period of relative peace and trade. It facilitated the removal of British forts from American territory, which opened up land for westward expansion. However, it also faced considerable opposition within the United States due to perceived concessions to Britain, particularly concerning neutral shipping rights. This controversy highlighted the growing partisan divisions in the young republic.
