Chase, Juliet B.2020-06-112020-06-111996http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/27232During the early federal period the United States struggled to establish a strong government and culture. The first generation of American diplomats were sent to Europe to represent the federal government in these matters. This study examines manuscripts and objects that reflect the material culture of American diplomacy from 1778 to 1825. Documents in the Library of Congress and those available on microfilm form the bulk of the evidence examined. ☐ The group of diplomats examined expressed their culture and their position in their material surroundings. What they purchased for their temporary homes and the lifestyles they led demonstrated their interest in fitting into the diplomatic and foreign societies around them. Large amounts of federal and personal money were expended on their residences. Many of these ambassadors were conscious of the importance of their image as Americans abroad in conducting their business. ☐ A more intensive examination of the documents and objects pertaining to the embassies of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams provides an in-depth look at how two American diplomats were living during the 1780s. Both men lived in elegant surroundings that were not obviously American in appearance. Yet there are strong similarities between the two houses that may indicate patterns of behavior and purchasing which distinguished these residences from other homes in Europe.Embassy buildings -- Europe -- 18th centuryEmbassy buildings -- Europe -- 19th centuryFurniture -- Europe -- 18th centuryFurniture -- Europe -- 19th centuryInterior decoration -- Europe -- 18th centuryInterior decoration -- Europe -- 19th centuryDiplomatic and consular service -- United States -- History -- 18th centuryDiplomatic and consular service -- United States -- History -- 19th centuryDiplomatic and consular service, American -- BuildingsJefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 -- Homes and haunts -- France -- ParisAdams, John, 1735-1826 -- Homes and haunts -- Netherlands -- HagueThesis1157345199