Question

This is a real newspaper political cartoon showing 3 US Diplomats and a French official. Using the political cartoon image above, your notes, and your knowledge of history for this course, select the option most likely explains the artists' attitudes about the XYZ affair.

the artist mistrusts the French as shown by giving the French many heads ("two-faced")

the artist mistrusts the 3 US diplomats as their posture and facial expressions are suspicious

the artist supports the Americans because they are drawn as stronger and more powerful than the French

the artist supports the French as shown in the royal style of clothing the French person is wearing

Answer 1

Based on the context of the XYZ Affair, the most likely explanation for the artist's attitudes in the cartoon would be:

**the artist mistrusts the French as shown by giving the French many heads ("two-faced").**

This interpretation aligns with the historical sentiment during the XYZ Affair, where many Americans felt betrayed and suspicious of French intentions. The two-faced imagery suggests duplicity or deception, which reflects the mistrust that characterized U.S.-French relations at that time.