What is XYZ Affair?
{{one source|date=May 2024}} [[File:Property protected à la françoise.jpg|right|thumb|275px|A British political cartoon depicting the affair]] The '''XYZ Affair''' was a [[Politics|political]] affair in 1797 and 1798 when [[John Adams]] was president. The affair involved the [[United States]] and the [[French First Republic]]. This affair led to the [[Quasi-War]]. President [[John Adams]] wanted to avoid a war with France, so he sent [[Diplomat|diplomats]] to find a solution. The diplomats were approached by three French agents, who insisted a loan and a bribe. The Americans refused the bribe. John Adams called the Frenchmen as X, Y, and Z. This led to its name. Americans were angry at the bribe. The situation led to the [[Quasi-War]], where war was prepared, but not declared == Reaction in the United States == Americans were angry at France for the XYZ Affair. “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute” became a slogan by the [[Federalist Party|Federalists]]. Because of the XYZ affair, the Federalists gained more power in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=XYZ Affair|url=https://www.monticello.org/research-education/thomas-jefferson-encyclopedia/xyz-affair/|access-date=2024-05-30|website=Monticello|language=en}}</ref> == References == {{Reflist}} {{hist-stub}} [[Category:1797 in the United States]] [[Category:1790s in France]] [[Category:1798]] [[Category:1790s in the United States]] [[Category:Foreign relations of the United States]] [[Category:Controversies in the United States]]