8th Grade - Adams and the XYZ Affair

​Presidents Adams the XYZ Affair

By Jeremy Cervantes

• 1797 France began to seize American ships.

• The XYZ Affair-
  Before talking Talleyrand wanted 250K and 10M for France.

• NOT A SIXPENCE!
  

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Conflicts with France

• Adams did not want war.

• Wanted to stay out of Europe (Like Washington)

• Solution??? - Build bigger better ships!

​

TO WAR!!!!!!?

• Federalists criticized Adams.

• They wanted war to weaken France and strengthen U.S. Military.

• Napoleon signed agreement to avoid another costly war.​

Federalist Divided

Multiple Choice

Which nation began impressment (seizing) our sailors and forcing them to fight for them during the French and British War?

• France
• England
• Holland
• Spain

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes why Adams did not want to go to war with France.

• a. He did not want his young son going to war          

• b. He did not want to lose France as an ally.         

• c. He was afraid that the French colonies in Canada would attack

• d. He feared if he declared war on France that Britain may attack

Multiple Choice

To stop the French attack on our ships President Adams sent delegates to France, but the unnamed French Delegates named X, Y and Z ...

• demanded a $250,000 bribe and a $10 million dollar loan for France before the U. S. Delegates could begin negotiations.

• refused to talk until the president himself showed up.

• went on vacation in the Bahamas after only showing up to work for one day.

• looked the delegates in the eyes and cried "your mama!"

Multiple Choice

What famous quote emerged from Pinckney during this incident?

• "Liberty or death"

• "No, no not a sixpence"

• "Give me freedom"

• "Never surrender"

Multiple Choice

To better protect the US from French naval attacks, Adams decided to…

• Become allies with Great Britain

• Strengthen the US Navy by building aircraft carriers

• Pay the French the money they asked for

• Strengthen the US Navy by building powerful ships called Frigates