XYZ Affair, diplomatic incident that, when made public in 1798, nearly involved the United States and France in war. Pres. John Adams dispatched three ministers to France in 1797 to negotiate a commercial agreement to protect U.S. shipping.
What problem did the XYZ Affair solve?
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident that occurred between the United States and France in 1797. In an attempt to avert war with Great Britain, the U.S. signed the Jay Treaty in 1795. One of the provisions of the treaty limited the ability of nations that were hostile to Great Britain to trade in U.S. ports.
What did Congress do as a result of the XYZ Affair?
Congress subsequently authorized various defense measures, including the creation of the Department of the Navy and the construction of warships. Then, in July 1798, it authorized American ships to attack French vessels, launching an undeclared naval war that came to be referred to as the Quasi-War.