USA HISTORY

MAKING OF A NEW NATION 1776 1800

PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS FROM ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS TO XYZ AFFAIR

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The XYZ Affair controversy happened because ____
A
the French attacked American ships
B
the British refused to meet American diplomats
C
French diplomats demanded a bribe to meet with American diplomats
D
the British were forcing Americans to join their navy
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -The XYZ Affair was a source of tension both between France and the United States as well as between the two factions in American politics. The Jay Treaty encouraged the French to seize American ships and the Democrat-Republicans criticized the administration for abandoning France.

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: -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-5: -The Jay Treaty of 1795 The main cause of the XYZ Affair was the signing of the Jay Treaty between the US and Great Britain. The treaty was meant to prevent a war between the two nations by not allowing the US to trade with “hostile nations, ” such as France.

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