Relations with France Fall Apart

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

America’s first armed conflict following the American Revolution was a mostly forgotten fight with France called the Quasi-War and was the culmination of a series of disagreements with our former ally. In 1793, to avoid getting drawn into the latest war between Great Britain and France, President George Washington issued his Proclamation of Neutrality. This declaration angered the French because they considered Washington’s refusal to help them as a violation of the 1778 Treaty of Alliance.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses how America’s relations with France fell apart, leading to the Quasi-War, and why it still matters today.

Photo Credits: Yale University Art Gallery, Naval History and Heritage Command, National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, New York Public Library, National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, Alamy, Wikimedia.

RELATED ARTICLES
The End of the Quasi-War
The End of the Quasi-War

The only fighting in the Quasi-War occurred at sea, and mostly in the Caribbean. But with war at a fever pitch and French interests so close by in Louisiana, there was a very real concern in Congress about a possible French invasion of the United States from the west. 

The Quasi-War with France
The Quasi-War with France

Between 1798 and 1800, the United States fought an undeclared war with France called the Quasi-War, or Half War, because it was not formally recognized by Congress. It was largely a naval conflict fought in the Caribbean and southern coast of America and developed because of a series of related events that soured the formerly strong relationship between the two nations.

Relations with France Fall Apart
Relations with France Fall Apart

America’s first armed conflict with a foreign nation following the American Revolution was not the War of 1812, but rather a mostly forgotten fight called the Quasi-War. Although little known today, in its time it made a significant impact on the course of American history, affecting trade, the creation of the United States Navy, and a presidential election. 

The Quasi-War and Its Aftermath
The Quasi-War and Its Aftermath

The only fighting in the Quasi-War occurred at sea, and mostly in the Caribbean. But with war at a fever pitch and French interests so close by in Louisiana, there was a very real concern in Congress about a possible French invasion of the United States from the west.

Escalating Tensions with France Lead to Quasi-War
Escalating Tensions with France Lead to Quasi-War

The Quasi-War was an undeclared war between France and the United States, largely fought at sea in the Caribbean and along the southern coast of America, between 1798 and 1800. It developed because of a series of related events that soured the formerly strong relationship between the two nations.

Relations Between America and France Fall Apart
Relations Between America and France Fall Apart

America’s first armed conflict with a foreign nation following our Revolution was not the War of 1812, but rather a mostly forgotten fight called the Quasi-War. Although little known today, in its time it made a significant impact on the course of American history, affecting trade, the creation of our Navy, and a presidential election.

The Presidency of John Adams
The Presidency of John Adams

To avoid a war with France, in 1797, President John Adams sent a diplomatic delegation to Paris to calm rising tensions. When our team arrived in France in October 1797, they were approached by three French officials whose code-names were X, Y, and Z. These Frenchmen demanded large bribes from the Americans for themselves and other French officials before negotiations could start.

Tom Hand
Previous

The Quasi-War with France