THE XYZ AFFAIREmily McCadams

Causes of XYZ Affair Britain and France warring nations America traded with both the British and the French The British were attacking American ships Jay’s Treaty to stop British French became upset with increasing

Anglo- American alliance Started attacking American ships

George Washington Wanted to keep neutrality in foreign

affairs Sent John Jay to create a treaty with

British in 1794 Sent Charles Cotesworth Pinckney to be

U.S. Minister to France Was not received in 1796

John Adams Became president in 1797 Wanted to keep neutrality in foreign affairs as well Wanted to modify the Franco- American alliance of 1778 Sent three diplomats to France

French Requests Prince Talleyrand sent three French

agents to meet with American diplomats Asked for a $250,000 bribe for

negotiations with Prince Talleyrand, a twelve million dollar loan for France, and asked them to express regret for alliance with Great Britain

Charles Cotesworth Pinkney Originally sent to France by Washington Wasn’t accepted Sent back by Adams Federalist Responded to the French’s requests

with, “No! No! Not a sixpence!”

John Marshall Federalist Seen as a “hero for refusing to give in to

unreasonable and somewhat dishonorable… demands.”

Elbridge Gerry Anti- Federalist Did not come to agreement with the

Pinckney and Marshall because of party issue

Stayed after they left France Prince Talleyrand tried to convince him “that

his presence in France would prevent war.” “tried to negotiate separate terms” with

France, but did not succeed.

Adams’s Administration Reaction Adams went straight to Congress, and

told them what the French had asked The Anti-Federalist Party in Congress

wished to see the actual letters that were sent

Adams showed them the letters, but substituted the names of the French agents with “X,” “Y,” and “Z”

The American Reaction The American citizens became very

concerned and upset about the requests of the French Their outcry: “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”

The Quasi-War of 1798-1800 Adams set his mind on war He “asked Congress for money to

arrange for war and gave American ships permission to fire on French ships.”

The Department of the Navy was established, and more ships were made

There was battle and attacks were made, but not a declared war

Ending the Conflict Adams wanted peace from France as

soon as possible In 1799, Adams sent a second

commission of Americans to France They made negotiations to stop warfare

by 1800

Influence on America The American response to expecting

money has influenced political decisions afterwards

Just because two countries are allies in one war, does not mean they will be in the next

The French expected money back from their help in the American Revolution, but America did not follow up

Bibliography Billias, George. Academic American, 1989 ed., s.v. “Gerry, Elbridge.” Danbury, Connecticut:Grolier Incorporated, 1989. "A Biography of Elbridge Gerry 1744-1814." American History: From Revolution ToReconstruction and beyond. Accessed 24 November 2013.http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/biographies/elbridge-gerry/. Combs, Jerald. World Book: Millennium, 2000 ed., s.v. “XYZ Affair.” Chicago: World Book,Inc., 2000. Cullen, Charles. World Book: Millennium, 2000 ed., s.v. “Marshall, John.” Chicago: WorldBook, Inc., 2000. Ferrell, Robert. Academic American, 1989 ed., s.v. “XYZ Affair.” Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier Incorporated, 1989. Handlin, Oscar. World Book: Millennium, 2000 ed., s.v. “United States, History of the: 17841819: Early problems and politics: Foreign affairs.” Chicago: World Book,Inc., 2000. Hutson, James. World Book: Millennium, 2000 ed., s.v. “Adams, John C.: Adams’ Administration 1797-1801): Difficulties with France.” Chicago: World Book,Inc., 2000. “John Adams: XYZ Affair, Philadelphia, PA, 1797-05-16.” American History: From RevolutionTo Reconstruction and beyond. Accessed 24 November 2013.http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/presidents/john-adams/the-xyz-affair-1797.php. Smith, W. Calvin. World Book: Millennium, 2000 ed., s.v. “Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth.” Chicago: World Book, Inc., 2000.

Bibliography (Visuals) “Jay’s Treaty: Primary Documents in American History.” The Library of Congress. November 25, 2013.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/jay.html.

“John Adams.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. November 25, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Adams.

“John Marshall.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. November 25, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Marshall.

Levin, Thomas. “5 Basic Steps to Moneyball Approach in Football Manager.” Aid the Boss. November 25, 2013. http://www.aidtheboss.com/moneyball-approach/.

  “Map of Atlantic Ocean.” Sampleireland.com. November 25, 2013. http://www.sampleireland.com/map-of-

atlantic-ocean.html.  “United States Secretary of the Navy.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. November 25, 2013.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Secretary_of_the_Navy.  “XYZ Affair.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. November 25, 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XYZ_Affair.  “1789 Militia: Quemahoning Township.” Ancestry.com. November 25, 2013.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pacquema/mil1789.htm.