From rags to riches: America's 'French Party' and America's Napoleon Bonaparte from 1796 to 1801

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the rise of two movements. These movements succeeded simultaneously in separate places. While there is no direct relationship between these success stories, no compelling arguments that one caused the other, there are shared and compelling issues that directly affected the development of two of the world's greatest nations--America and France. Why did America choose peace and Quasi-War? How "international" was the French Party and did that affect American domestic policies? Was the press used to influence the political and diplomatic affairs? Did Bonaparte's rise affect American views of the French Revolution and French Party support of France? Were French intrigues as significant as British in the development of the American system?; America's Republican or "French Party" was far from successful in the late 1790s. They suffered from social, economic, political, and legal persecution by the Federalist majority. It was in 1800, however, that the French Party won the presidency and a majority position in the government. It was during this same period that Bonaparte rose to power in France, making a name for himself in America.; A chronological approach is used to examine the rise of both the pro-French party in America and Bonaparte. The primary focus of each chapter is the French Party and Franco-American diplomacy. At the end of each chapter several pages are devoted to Napoleon Bonaparte, as seen by American editors, writers, leaders, and people.; Several things make this study unique. The American perspective offers new insights into French government and foreign relations. Magazines and newspapers are examined from both political parties in America. Numerous collections of papers and correspondence are also examined, as well as the Early American Imprints Series, the American State Papers, and the Annals of Congress. Also included are the Correspondance Politique of France and Consular Despatches from France and Europe. Maritime operations are discussed, but only to clarify or explore domestic or international politics. Economic issues are considered vital to the events. The use of the Journal Des Debats of the French Legislature, to show the limited significance of America in French policy and to depict the contemporary French interpretation of Franco-American relations, is also vital. Finally, Napoleon Bonaparte's treatment by the American press and leaders is explored in this work.