The XYZ Affair outraged many Americans. What was President John Adam's initial stance on how to handle the issue? Select All that apply.

President John Adams' initial stance on how to handle the XYZ Affair included the following options:

• Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France: Adams sought a peaceful resolution and sent diplomats to try to negotiate with the French government.

• Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs: Adams was generally inclined to avoid entanglement in European conflicts, reflecting his broader desire for American neutrality.

The other options - asking Congress for a vote to declare war on France and wanting to declare war but resisting due to political pressure - do not accurately reflect Adams' initial approach. He was cautious about going to war and preferred diplomacy over conflict.