Rice+Unit+3

For Defense or For Tribute: The XYZ Affair The story of three brave diplomats and their at first failed negotiation.  The Student will be able to summarize the XYZ Affair, as well as compare and contrast the opinions of the Federalists and Republicans, and defend the side of one of those parties. George Washington had finished his time as president and had stepped down and handed the position to John Adams along with a few international issues, you know, guy stuff. France was in the middle of a revolution, and Britain was trying to stop the monarchy from being overthrown. Both sides eagerly awaited the support of the united states. Unfortunately for both European countries, John Adams chose to keep America neutral. England thought we would want to maintain a safe relationship with them and help to destroy the rebellion in France, when we did not, they began to board and steal our ships. France had fought alongside us in our revolution and expected us to repay the favor, they were frustrated at our neutrality and began to board and steal our ships. France assumed that by siding with Britain, we were against them. John Adams sent Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, and John Marshall to attempt to negotiate a peace treaty with the previous ally of France. The three French diplomats they met remained anonymous and went by X, Y, and Z. They would not listen to the three Americans before they would hand over a $250,000 bribe and $12,000,000 to fund the revolution of France. All three of the diplomats were insulted and were said to have replied, "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." They returned to France later and reached a treaty, but the United States was divided over how different people had responded to France's cry for help. Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists believed we should side with the British because they were a powerful trading country and Hamilton believed America was founded on merchants. Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans believed we should side with the French because they had sided with us in our revolution and the duty of America was to help its allies. John Adams who was a Federalist disagreed and decided to attempt further negotiation. What do you think?  For some elaboration, visit: http://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/XYZ

 Here is a helpful video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afB5NJmER5M



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 * < "John Adams." //Usainwords.com//. usainwords, n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2012.

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 * < "Alexander Hamilton." //Tvtropes.org//. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 22 Jan. 2012.
 * < Gowdy, J David. "Thomas Jefferson: A Defense of His Character." //Liberty1.org//.