The xyz affair

1. Emily McCadams The xyz affair

2. 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

3. George Washington • Wanted to keep neutrality in foreign affairs • Sent John Jay to create a treaty with British in 1794 • Sent Charles CotesworthPinckney to be U.S. Minister to France • Was not received in 1796

4. 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

5. 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

6. Charles CotesworthPinkney • 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!”

7. John Marshall • Federalist • Seen as a “hero for refusing to give in to unreasonable and somewhat dishonorable… demands.”

8. 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.

9. 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”

10. 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!”

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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 To Reconstruction 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: World Book, 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: 1784 1819: 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 Revolution To 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.

15. 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.