What put the united states in the middle of tensions between britain and france in the 1800's?

During the 1800s due to an economic and military weakness of the U.S compared to its neighbors the British, French and European rivals, the United States foreign policy makers sought diplomatic means to counter European presence. 
The U.S diplomacy aimed at preventing France and Britain from accessing the control of more colonies in Latin America and Mexico which were a part of a declining Spanish empire. 
Foreign policy goals previously focussed on gaining colonies and expansion to new territories, but, changed to developing commercial empires, limit the influence o the Soviet (USSR) and encourage more significant economic and political freedom.