USA HISTORY

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: -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-3: -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.

Detailed explanation-4: -The diplomats, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, were approached through informal channels by agents of the French foreign minister, Talleyrand, who demanded bribes and a loan before formal negotiations could begin.

Detailed explanation-5: -After some members of Congress asked to see the diplomats’ reports regarding what had transpired in France, Adams handed them over with the names of the French agents replaced with the letters X, Y and Z; thus the name XYZ Affair.