'No longer any cause to fear danger from abroad': An analysis of diplomacy under the administrations of Andrew Jackson

This study examines the interplay between domestic political needs and foreign policy formation during the administrations of Andrew Jackson. Martin Van Buren, Andrew Jackson's first Secretary of State, is credited with formalizing what political historians call the "second party system." While numerous monographs examine the emerging party system with regard to domestic issues, none have looked at how the emerging party system affected the conduct of foreign policy.; Jackson was an ardent nationalist who viewed himself as a protector of the American experiment in democratic government. Disgusted with the corrupt presidency of John Quincy Adams, Jackson and Van Buren used debates over whether to send American delegates to the Panama Congress to organize anti-administration forces. As president, Jackson urged reform of the State Department and used the "rotation of office" policy to remove partisans from the previous administration. Jackson's identification with the American Revolution generation prompted him to aggressively seek resolutions to outstanding issues and claims originating from the nation's early years.; Trade agreements were successfully concluded but not without becoming fodder for political campaigns. Force was used against minor powers such as Argentina and Quallah Battoo and threatened to settle outstanding spoliation claims with France and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, almost leading to war with France. Although Jackson could have accepted an arbitration settlement to the Northeastern Boundary dispute, political considerations in Maine prevented him from accepting the decision.