President Adam's Dilemma

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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..

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