Scanning Over William Seward's Foreign Policy Record

---

William Seward: Served as Secretary of State from 1861-1869

Personal Characteristics: Charismatic, feisty, peaceful expansionist, strategic

Description by Author: “Seward was eager to expand in strategically important places, but only through the peaceful means of buying territory from willing sellers. While he talked in terms of American expansion, his diplomatic overtures on the subject did not involve any threat of force.” Seward’s peaceful nature of expansion was eventually termed the “fruit drop theory of expansion,” essentially meaning that you wait until the fruit (land) falls in your hand. 

Successful, but Not in the Way Seward Imagined: “He was a New York State lawyer unversed in international law, a politician ignorant of the manner of negotiation, and he did not even want to be secretary of state. All his life he reached out for the presidency, but it always eluded him.” His lack of international political understanding will come into play later, but even with his lack of credentials, Seward was still a remarkably successful Secretary of State during a tumultuous period of American history. 

Molded by his Predecessor: Seward sought to model himself after his predecessor, John Quincy Adams did Seward made himself like Adams by understanding “the nation’s ideals, but he also recognized its interests and pursued them with a remarkable grasp of the power available to him and to others.” The respectful and decent political ideals and actions would live through Seward during his time serving the federal government. 

The International Context: 

European and Mexican Salivation: The idea of a split America through civil war was of great desire for some in Britain, Napoleon III of France, along with many in Mexico. The idea of a split union allowed for greater European and Mexican intervention in the United States. With that being said, European states were hesitant to jump into the conflict, instead mulling over the possibilities and how it may impact their economies. 

Meiji Restoration: The Meiji Restoration, which began in 1868, was the beginning of Japan’s ascension to a global power. This globalizing mission by Japan was to reform the state to the Western model, in which they crafted a legal system similar to Germany, encouraged others to Westernize, and persuaded its own citizens to travel abroad. 

Cuban Rebellion: This revolt by Cuba, which began in 1866 against its Spanish colonizers, saw massive bloodshed for the Cubans, in which roughly 200,000 Cubans perished. The U.S. declared neutrality at the time, but did harbor major sympathy for Cuba over its perceived brutal oppressors in Spain. 

Key Foreign Policies: 

Peaceful Expansion of the American Model: Seward, like John Quincy Adams and others, sought to expand the U.S. without the use of force. Seward’s belief was focused on the United States “demonstrating the capacity of a free people to govern themselves with intelligence, would comprise a model which other peoples would seek to emulate.” 

Preferred Isolationism and Despised War: Seward desired to uphold the core principle of U.S. foreign policy: isolationism, as often as possible. Furthermore, “Seward abhorred war. He called it ‘the bane of republics,’ convinced that war, unless severely controlled, would inevitably transform them into despotisms.” 

Nationalistic Economist: Seward, during his time as Secretary of State, “promoted a high tariff policy, aimed at protecting America’s young industries from too much foreign competition.” While high tariffs generally can lead to issues with foreign trade, Seward saw it as an advancement of the American model that he so desired. Protecting U.S. industries and allowing them to catch up to European competitors would allow for them to flourish in the long-term.

Positive Achievements: 

Ensuring European Neutrality: A key goal of the Union during the Civil War was to maintain European neutrality toward the South, preventing them from recognizing the rogue state. Seward carried this out through peaceful negotiations. However, one event that created turbulence, was used by Seward to finalize neutrality proclamations: the Trent Affair. This event, which occurred in November of 1861, saw the South send two negotiators to Britain and France, leaving from Cuba to Europe on the Trent. Northerners intercepted the ship and imprisoned James Mason and John Slidell, the two negotiators. 

The British then protested that the Union could not forcibly remove them from a British vessel. Seward accepted the argument, but did point out that the British had been seizing American ships and forcing them into service. This sly comment, along with the effective Northern blockade and apology to Britain, influenced them to remain neutral to the conflict, making this a subtle accomplishment of Seward. Although Seward’s not so subtle declaration that any European attempt to break the blockade on the South would be met militarily, was also effective. 

Seward’s “Folly”: After the U.S. and Russia grew closer in relations, Russia decided to send Edouard de Stoeckl to Seward’s house to negotiate a deal to buy Alaska, mainly because Russia badly needed money and because they worried that it would be captured by the British following the events of the Crimean War. On March 30th, 1867, the Treaty to buy Alaska was signed, in which the U.S. would pay Russia $7.2 million dollars for the acquisition. In order to convince the Senate to sign the Treaty, Seward invited influential Massachusetts Senator, Charles Sumner to speak on his behalf, which was successful. Not many saw the advantages of obtaining Alaska, but Seward did. He envisioned obtaining Alaska for “defense, manifest destiny and the China trade. 

Miscellaneous Accomplishments: Following the purchase of Alaska, Seward also acquired the islands of Midway, which would be crucial in World War II. Furthermore, he supported the opening of relations with China through the Seward-Burlingame Treaty, which “strengthened the American position in Japan; laid the foundation for a settlement of the northwest boundary controversy which recognized American sovereignty over the San Juan islands; promoted the construction of the Atlantic Cable; and worked for an international postal convention.” 

The Protocol of 1868 was also pursued by Seward, which forced the British government to recognize American naturalization, a key reason for the War of 1812. Moreover, Seward gave the go-ahead to purchase the Danish West Indies (which would be purchased in 1917) and the Virgin Islands. 

With all of that being said, maybe the most remarkable achievement of Seward’s time as Secretary of State was the fact that he negotiated more treaties with foreign governments than all other Secretaries of State to that point, combined, truly an incredible feat. 

Economic Reformation: Although he was not the president, Seward played a large part in foreign policy making, which impacted the domestic economy. As stated before with his high tariff policy to protect burgeoning American businesses, Seward also introduced an open immigration policy that allowed for much cheap labor to come into the states, helping the economy to grow faster and more efficiently. 

Negative Drawbacks: 

Almost Single-handidly Blundering the Caroline Affair: As was discussed during the report on Daniel Webster, the Caroline affair was a major issue of Webster’s time as Secretary of State. William Seward, ironically enough, almost tarnished Webster’s attempts at lowering the temperature. Alexander McLeod, the one arrested for the incident, was incarcerated by New York officials, headed by the Governor, William Seward. The great blunder by Seward, was refusing to release McLeod, preventing the federal government from becoming involved in the case to negotiate with Britain, almost bringing about war. A near catastrophic event in which copious amounts of bloodshed could have been on Seward’s hands. 

Final Grade: A/ Even with the moronic moves made by Seward during his time as New York Governor during the Caroline affair, it was not enough to bring him below an A grade. The list of accomplishments and importance of them during Seward’s time as Secretary of State are unquantifiable. Seward masterfully maintained European neutrality during the Civil War, enhanced the U.S. economy, prophetically purchased Alaska for cheap, acquired the Midway islands, signed countless treaties, and more, are all major reasons that Seward earned this grade. An incredible Secretary of State carried by his intelligence and negotiating skills. 

References:

1. Kenneth Shewmaker, “Daniel Webster and American Conservatism,” in Graebner, ed., Traditions and Values: American Diplomacy, 1790-1865, 129-151.
2. Michael Fowler, “William Seward”.
3. Norman Ferris, “William H. Seward and the Faith of a Nation,” in Graebner, ed., Traditions and Values, 1790-1856, 153-72.
4. Gordon Warren, “William Henry Seward and American Destiny,” in Makers of American Diplomacy, Franke Merli and Theodore Wilson, eds. (New York: Scribner, 1974), 195-219.
5. Robert Ferrell, “Alaska,” American Diplomacy, 279-85.
6. Robert Ferrell, “The Danish West Indies and the Dominican Republic,” and “Hamilton Fish and the Alabama Claims,” American Diplomacy: A History, 3rd ed. (New York: W. W. Norton, 1975), 285-97.