The XYZ affair was an attempt by the French government to extort a bribe from the United States. In 1797, three French agents, known only as X, Y, and Z, demanded bribes and a loan from American diplomats in order to begin negotiations with France. This led to a diplomatic crisis between the two countries and an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi-War.

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The XYZ Affair

Question 75

Multiple Choice

The XYZ affair

A) was an attempt to bring the United States into the French Revolution on the side of the British.
B) was an attempt by the French government to extort a bribe from the United States.
C) was the name given to the attempt by Jefferson to win the 1800 election through bribery.
D) was the result of the British attempt to break the Treaty of Alliance of 1778.
E) saw the United States begin a process to secure peace with France.

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