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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they were upset we remained neutral during their war with Great Britain
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they were upset we sided with the British during their war with Great Britain
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Either A or B
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None of the above
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Detailed explanation-1: -Adams was afraid that the French Revolution would destroy America. He believed the American economy and government would collapse if the country became involved in Europe’s struggle. So Adams tried to improve relations with France through negotiations. At the same time, Adams strengthened America’s defenses.
Detailed explanation-2: -President George Washington, believing the US should steer clear of foreign entanglements, declared that the United States would stay neutral. President John Adams also wished to remain neutral.
Detailed explanation-3: -He was to join Franklin and Arthur Lee in Paris to negotiate an alliance with the French, who were debating whether or not they would recognize and aid the United States. On April 1, he arrived in Spain, where Adams learned that France had already agreed to an alliance with the United States on February 6.
Detailed explanation-4: -After several years of bitter political struggle at home, President Adams finally prevented war with France. Later he wrote: “There is one thing I would like to be remembered for more than anything else. I gave myself the task of making peace with France. And I succeeded."
Detailed explanation-5: -At first, Adams tried diplomacy by sending three commissioners to Paris to negotiate a settlement. However, Prime Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand of France insulted the American diplomats by first refusing to officially receive them.