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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the attempt by Adams to “pack” the federal courts with judges from his own political party
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the attempt by France to get the US to pay a bribe in order to meet with the French representative
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Either A or B
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War . U.S. and French negotiators restored peace with the Convention of 1800, also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine.
Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -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.
Detailed explanation-4: -Over the next several months, his secretary and agents code named X, Y, and Z demanded the United States offer France a loan of $12 million and a bribe of $250, 000 as the price of ending French depredations against American shipping.
Detailed explanation-5: -Finally, the three Americans were met by three French agents, known later as “X, ” “Y, ” and “Z.” They demanded a $250, 000 bribe and $12 million in loans to even speak with French Foreign Minister Talleyrand. The American diplomats were shocked and insulted.