cabinet dilemma #1: the xyz affair
Directions: In your notebooks define the terms below and then describe what dilemma President John Adams' cabinet is dealing with in your own words. Make sure your explanation is clear and complete so that you completely understand what is happening during this time.
Terms to Define: Crisis, affair, envoy, provocation, bribes, loan.
Dilemma Description: The year is 1797 and President Adams' cabinet is facing a crisis with France. France felt that America's signing of Jay's Treaty with Britain in 1794 was an attempt to help the British in its war against them. In response, France has decided to take a page out of Britain's game plan and is starting to impress American cargo ships that are trading with the British.
Wanting to avoid war with France, President Adams has sent over a group of ambassadors, led by by Charles Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry and John Marshall, to France to negotiate peace. However the French foreign minister, Charles de Talleyrand, is refusing to meet with these American negotiators and instead has sent over three French agents who are demanding bribes and a large loan for France.
Terms to Define: Crisis, affair, envoy, provocation, bribes, loan.
Dilemma Description: The year is 1797 and President Adams' cabinet is facing a crisis with France. France felt that America's signing of Jay's Treaty with Britain in 1794 was an attempt to help the British in its war against them. In response, France has decided to take a page out of Britain's game plan and is starting to impress American cargo ships that are trading with the British.
Wanting to avoid war with France, President Adams has sent over a group of ambassadors, led by by Charles Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry and John Marshall, to France to negotiate peace. However the French foreign minister, Charles de Talleyrand, is refusing to meet with these American negotiators and instead has sent over three French agents who are demanding bribes and a large loan for France.
Directions: Answer the following questions from the video link above.
- How much money is Talleyrand requesting for himself?
- How much is the loan he is also requesting as a sign of "good faith"?
- Who does Vice President Jefferson blame for this behavior?
- How does President Adams want to prepare for conflict with France? Who does he want as a "leader" of this plan?
- Why is Jefferson so upset with Adams' plan?
Cabinet Decision Options
Directions: As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on a separate sheet of paper and explain why it is the best choice in 30 words or more.
Directions: As a "cabinet" decide which option fits best by choosing one of the following letters. Then write down the option on a separate sheet of paper and explain why it is the best choice in 30 words or more.
Edmodo "Cabinet" Response
Directions: Click on the Edmodo link below and have your group Secretary of State explain in 30 words or more on why this option is the best choice.
Directions: Click on the Edmodo link below and have your group Secretary of State explain in 30 words or more on why this option is the best choice.
What Really Happened
Directions: Use pages 293-295 of your textbook and the highlighted links to help you answer the following questions on the same sheet of paper as your Cabinet Decision Option in reflective sentences.
Directions: Use pages 293-295 of your textbook and the highlighted links to help you answer the following questions on the same sheet of paper as your Cabinet Decision Option in reflective sentences.
- How did the American negotiators respond to the demands of Mr. Talleyrand's agents? (p. 293)
- Why was this event called the "XYZ Affair"?
- Political Cartoon Analysis: Looking at the political cartoon at the very top of this page titled "Civic Feast" answer the following: Who are the gentlemen on the left? Who is the multi-headed monster? What do you think their interaction is about? Describe the scene going on behind these people. What message is the author sending to the reader? How is the author sending this message? Give details from the cartoon in your response.
- Political Cartoon Analysis: Looking at the political cartoon above titled "Property Protected a la Francoise" answer the following: Who is the lady supposed to be? Who are the gentlemen surrounding this lady supposed to be? Describe what you think is happening in this scene. Who are the people in the background? Why is the person on the hill? What message is the author sending to the reader? How is the author sending this message?
- What 4-part program did Congress respond with to strengthen its armed forces in preparation of a potential conflict with France? (p. 295)
- Describe the "undeclared war" with France from 1798-1800 and how it was settled. (p. 295)
- What were the consequences for the Republican Party's support of France? (p. 295)
- Why did this happen to the Republican Party?
- Do you agree with President Adams' handling of this dilemma? Why or why not? Explain with good reasoning and specific examples.
- What are the potential consequences, both good and bad, of President Adams' administration after the XYZ Affair?