The Filibusters: Clayton-Bulwer Treaty Of Nicaragua

The Filibusters
Group of soldiers of fortune led by William Walker who invaded Nicaragua in an attempt to set up english speaking colonies under his control. At the time this practice was called filibustering, hence the name for the soldiers. This was important at the time period because it led to the strenuous ties involving the Clayton- Bulwer treaty. This caused discontent not only in Washington but in England as well with each thinking there might be a breach in the treaty.
Clayton- Bulwer treaty
Was a treaty that was negotiated by John Clayton and Henry Bulwer, this treaty involved England and the United States. It was put in place regarding the building of a new trans isthmus canal through Nicaragua. The treaty stated that neither the United States nor England could build a canal without the others consent; there could be no new colonies in the Americas which Reinforced the Monroe Doctrine. There was also the condition the if the canal was built it must remain neutral between the two countries. This treaty was threatened by the involvement of William Walker in Nicaragua.

Treaty
Karp describes the motivation of the british empire as being less than pure and for partially selfish reasons. The main motivation was that if the United States abolished the slave trade then their economy would plummet and Britain would once again become the preeminent economic power in the world. This desire to not only end slavery but surpass the United States led to tension between the United States and England when it came to trade in the atlantic and was later seen as the United States entered into the civil