President Adam’s Dilemma

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.

Effects back home…

• Adam’s pursuit of peace with France

created strong disagreements within the

Federalist party.

• When he ran for reelection in 1800,

Adams lost to Jefferson and the

Republicans took over.

• Over the next few years, much of the

Federalist support faded away.