The XYZ Affair

Three French agents told US diplomats that to meet with the French prime minister, they would have to…

• a. Swear an oath of allegiance to the French king 

• b. Buy expensive gifts for the agent’s wives         

• c. Bribe the French, and the French would loan money to the USA

• d. Offer a bribe and a loan to the French government.

How did the XYZ Affair get its name?

• a. They were the initials of the French agents                               

• b. The French said to the Americans  “examine your zipper.” 

• c. Calling the agents XYZ kept the scandal from worsening                          

• d. XYZ were the initials of the three French agents

Why did the French choose to start seizing American ships in the West Indies in 1797?

• The French felt that Jay's Treaty favored their enemy, the British

• The French felt that the US Navy were threatening their island colonies

• The French were angry with the US for not helping them in their war

• In Jay's Treaty the US promised to support Britain in the war

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

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

What was the Quasi War?

• a. The undeclared war between France and the US, 1798-1800

• b. The fighting between the US and Quasiland

• c. The war between the US and France in 1798

• d. The diet coke of wars. Just one calorie. Not war enough!