it hurt his chances for re-election
So they could become allies and France would help them win the revolutionary war!
It hurt his chance for reelection.
John Adams
During what's known as the XYZ Affair, President Adams sent diplomats to France for the purpose of attempting to negotiate peace with France. The end result was the Treaty of Mortefontaine.
Sending a peace mission to France brought the full fury of the Hamiltonians against Adams. In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united and effective, the Federalists badly divided.
Sending a peace mission to France brought the full fury of the Hamiltonians against Adams. In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united and effective, the Federalists badly divided.
Sending a peace mission to France brought the full fury of the Hamiltonians against Adams. In the campaign of 1800 the Republicans were united and effective, the Federalists badly divided.
Napoleon Bonaparte
"I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than:'Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800.'"
Adams pursued peace with France following the XYZ affair because he believed it was in the best interest of the United States. He wanted to avoid war and maintain positive relations with France, which was a powerful European nation. Adams also hoped that by negotiating a peaceful resolution, he could prevent further damage to American trade and maritime interests.
Treaty of Mortefontaine
Answer 1The French were shocked because they thought that John Adams was a cold and distant person and they didn't think he would want to reach out to the French.Answer 2One of the main differences between the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republicans in the early days of American Independence was whether the United States should be more closely aligned with Great Britain or with France. Most Federalists wanted stronger relations with Britain and saw that a skirmish with France would make more people anti-French. Additionally, they saw the peace talks as an act of capitulation to French interests.The bottom line was that the Federalists were expecting Adams (another Federalist) to allow the skirmish to escalate or to a least simmer for a bit.
The Quasi-War with France was the beginning of the end to Adams's association with the High Federalists. Adams went over his Federalist cabinet by announcing a peace mission with France. Alexander Hamilton began to lose favor over the success of this mission. His supporters in the cabinet were fired. This spit the party between Adams supporters and Hamilton supporters.