The XYZ Affair outraged many Americans. What was President John Adams’s initial stance on how to handle the issue? Select all that apply.
• Adams asked Congress for a vote to declare war on France.
• Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France.
• Adams wanted to declare war, but resisted due to political pressures.
• Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs.
To determine President John Adams's initial stance on how to handle the XYZ Affair, we can examine the available options:
• Adams asked Congress for a vote to declare war on France.
• Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France.
• Adams wanted to declare war but resisted due to political pressures.
• Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs.
To find the correct answers, we must consider historical information about President Adams's stance during the XYZ Affair. The XYZ Affair refers to a diplomatic incident between the United States and France in the late 18th century. To handle this issue, President Adams:
1. Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France: This is true. Rather than immediately resorting to war, Adams decided to send diplomats in an attempt to negotiate and resolve the issue diplomatically.
2. Adams wanted to declare war but resisted due to political pressures: This is not accurate. President Adams did not want to declare war on France during the XYZ Affair. While there were political pressures to do so, Adams resisted and chose a diplomatic approach instead.
3. Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs: This option is somewhat incorrect. While Adams desired to avoid getting entangled in European conflicts, his primary concern during the XYZ Affair was protecting American sovereignty and honor by addressing the French diplomatic misconduct.
Therefore, the correct options for President Adams's initial stance on handling the XYZ Affair are:
• Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France.
• Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs.