Question

The XYZ Affair outraged many Americans. What was President John Adam's initial stance on how to handle the issue? Select All that apply.
-Adams asked Congress for a vote to declare war on France
-Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France
-Adams wanted to declare war, but resisted due to political pressure
-Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs

Answer 1

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.