MAKING OF A NEW NATION 1776 1800
PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS FROM ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS TO XYZ AFFAIR
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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states’ rights
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nullify
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sedition
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XYZ Affair
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Detailed explanation-1: -The XYZ Affair (1797-1798) involved an American peace delegation in France, three agents of the French Foreign Minister (labeled as X, Y, and Z in President John Adams’ initial communications with Congress), and the French Foreign Minister’s demand for a bribe from the American delegation.
Detailed explanation-2: -The French demanded that the United States provide France with a low-interest loan, assume and pay American merchant claims against the French, and lastly pay a substantial bribe to Talleyrand. The U.S. envoys were shocked, and also skeptical that any concessions would bring about substantial changes in French policy.
Detailed explanation-3: -In Paris the ministers were approached by three French agents who suggested a bribe of $250, 000 to Talleyrand, the French foreign minister, and a loan of $10, 000, 000 to France as a prelude to negotiations.
Detailed explanation-4: -After some time, Adams released the papers. However, the men’s names were redacted. The letters W, X, Y, and Z were used to hide their identities. Thus, the affair was called the XYZ Affair.