AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: The XYZ Affair (Day 74/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of the XYZ Affair in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Proclamation of Neutrality, Varsity Tutors

While Washington had avoided war with the Proclamation of Neutrality, interactions overseas, especially with France were far from amiable. The troubles from the French Revolution continued to plague the U.S. during the presidency of John Adams.

'The Neglected Tar': a press gang seizing a seaman (caricature), Wikimedia Commons

The French did not respect American neutrality. French warships and privateers impressed American sailors and seized American ships.

British satire of Franco-American relations after the XYZ Affair in May of 1798; 5 Frenchmen plunder female "America", while six figures representing other European countries look on. Wikimedia Commons

President Adams sent diplomats to Paris to negotiate with the French government. French ministers, known as X, Y, and Z, requested bribes in order to enter into negotiations. This was refused by the American delegates.

USS Constellation vs L'Insurgente, fought between frigates of the French Navy and the United States Navy during the Quasi-War, Wikimedia Commons

Americans were outraged by the insulting request for bribes and called for military action against France. From 1798-1801 an undeclared naval war, primarily fought in the Caribbean, ensued. Adams resisted an official declaration of war and again attempted negotiation.

The XYZ Affair was an embarrassing ordeal between American diplomats and French ministers during the Adams presidency. It led to a Quasi, or undeclared, War and exposed America’s inexperience in foreign affairs.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Alien and Sedition Acts in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!