US History project about the XYZ Affair.

1. The XYZ Affair Tim Trent

2. What was the XYZ Affair? When the American Delegates were supposed to meet Talleyrand, three low level officials from France came instead. These three officials, whom John Adams referred to as “X, Y, and Z” in his report to Congress, told the Americans they had to pay $250,000 in order to see Talleyrand. This meeting became known as the XYZ Affair, due to Adams’ report.

3. Why did it happen? On November 19, 1794, John Jay signed Jay’s treaty with Britain. After John Adams took presidency in 1796, the French saw Jay’s treaty as a violation of the existing French-American Alliance. The French began seizing American ships and refusing ambassadors, edging towards a war. The French did not have strong feelings toward the Americans, and were relatively pretentious due to the success of Napoleon Bonaparte. Adams decided to meet with the foreign minister of France, Talleyrand, to discuss peace.

4. What were the effects? This insult created extremely strong anti-French feelings in America. As a result, Congress created a navy, giving authorization to American ships to seize French ships. An army of 50,000 men was raised, with George Washington as Lt. Gen. and Commander in Chief. War was never officially declared, but an undeclared naval war was waged for two years. This anti-French feeling also largely contributed to the Alien and Sedition acts.