The Quasi-War with France

Impacting America
Written By Tom Hand

The Quasi-War was an undeclared naval war between France and the United States, fought primarily in the Caribbean and the southern coast of America, between 1798 and 1800. The war resulted from several disagreements with France but was mostly due to French privateers seizing American merchant ships. On April 30, 1798, Congress created the Department of the Navy and appropriated funds to finish six frigates that had been authorized by the Naval Act of 1794. Three were near completion and soon put to sea, and three more followed in the next two years. On July 7, Congress authorized this new United States Navy to begin seizing French ships, marking the “official” start of the Quasi-War.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the Quasi-War and why it still matters today.


Photo Credits: Naval History and Heritage Command, Library of Congress, National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library, Alamy, Wikimedia.

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Tom Hand
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