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The XYZ Affair

The XYZ Affair. Remember???. When we did the political cartoon activity about Supreme Court Justice John Jay going to Britain to make a treaty (or agreement) for the U.S.??

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The XYZ Affair

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  1. The XYZ Affair

  2. Remember??? • When we did the political cartoon activity about Supreme Court Justice John Jay going to Britain to make a treaty (or agreement) for the U.S.?? • Well!.... France (who was at war with Britain) took that as a U.S. attack to France. So France stopped U.S. ships from reaching Britain.

  3. In 1794… • John Adams, who was President at the time, wanted to avoid a war with France and sent delegates to solve the conflict. • French foreign minister, Charles de Talleyrand, refused to meet!! But…. He sent 3 agents to demand a bribe and money from the U.S.

  4. John Adams was furious! • The U.S. replied “Not a sixpence!” Refused to pay… and referred to the 3 French agents as X, Y and Z. • This became known as the XYZ Affair.

  5. In Reaction… • Navy Department was created. • Built a larger army with George Washington as general. • Most Americans hated France… except the Republican party were still okay with the French. • This made many Americans upset with the Republican Party

  6. Alien and Sedition Acts • With a threat of the war, Americans were more suspicious of aliens who were still loyal to France • Aliens: immigrants living in the country who were not citizens • So, Federalists responded with laws called the Alien and Sedition Acts • Sedition: activities aimed at weakening the government

  7. Aliens and Sedition Acts • 1. Naturalization Act: Must be residents in the U.S. for 14 years instead of 5 to gain citizenship • 2. Alien Act: President could imprison aliens or anyone considered dangerous out of the country • 3. Sedition Act: was a crime to speak, write, or publish any “false, scandalous and malicious critisicims of the government”

  8. But it didn’t last… • Many claimed those acts gave the government too much power and felt the states would nullify (or legally overturn) the laws because they were unconstitutional. Federalists and Republicans argued over these laws. Adams never went to war with France and a lot of people were angry with him because of it.

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