Post on 20-Apr-2023
Protecting U.S. Ships• Isolation sounded good, but it is often
to very difficult to stay out of other
countries’ conflicts.
• Adams tried to follow Washington’s
policy of neutrality.
• This became very difficult with France.
The Jay Treaty• In 1794 Britain refused to leave the Ohio
Valley.
• Instead of starting a war, Washington ordered John Jay to go to London and settle things with the British.
• In 1794 the Jay Treaty was signed and the British removed their troops from the Ohio Valley.
• France (still at war with Britain) saw the Jay Treaty as a violation of its own treaty with the US made in 1778.
In 1796 the French navy began attacking U.S. merchant ships bound for Britain. Over the next year, French warships captured 316 American ships. Adams couldn’t stay neutral now!
The XYZ Affair
• Adams sent three men to ask the French to
end the attacks. The prime minister refused
to speak to them.
• Instead they were met by secret agents
identified as X, Y, and Z.
• The agents told the Americans that no peace
talks would be held unless they received
$240,000 (4 million dollars today).
• The Americans refused.
“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”
• The XYZ Affair outraged Americans.
• Congress voted to recruit an army of
100,000 men, and to build 12 new
ships.
• Congress authorized U.S. warships to
launch a “half war” on the seas.
• Americans ships captured more than
80 armed French ships
• Adams found himself very popular in
the US.
• The Federalist Party gained support in
all parts of the country.
• Was the popular thing, waging an
undeclared war on France, also the
best thing for the country?
• What were the possible outcomes?
Decisions…• Adams knew that no matter how good war
would be for the Federalist Party, it would
not be good for the country.
• In 1799, he sent men to France to work for
peace.
• Federalist leaders were furious! They
wanted Adams to stand strong.
Napoleon• The men met with the new French
leader, Napoleon Bonaparte.
• Napoleon wanted peace with Britain and
the US.
• He ordered the navy stop seizing the
American ships.
• A new treaty between France and the US
was signed in 1800.