The XYZ affair outraged many Americans what was president John adama initial stance on how to handle the issue

Answer 1

President John Adams' initial stance on how to handle the XYZ affair was one of diplomacy and restraint. Adams did not want to jump to war with France and instead hoped to resolve the issue through negotiations. He initially kept the contents of the French diplomats' demands, which included a bribe and a loan, secret and referred to the men as Messrs. W, X, Y, and Z in his report to Congress. Adams believed that the negotiations should continue and did not want to escalate tensions further.