When Adams became President, the war between the French and British was causing great difficulties for the United States on the high seas and intense partisanship [taking of sides] among contending factions within the Nation. His administration focused on France, where the Directory, the ruling group, had refused to receive the American envoy and had suspended commercial relations. Adams sent three commissioners to France, but in the spring of 1798 word arrived that the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand and the Directory had refused to negotiate with them unless they would first pay a substantial bribe. Adams reported the insult to Congress, and the Senate printed the correspondence, in which the Frenchmen were referred to only as "X, Y, and Z."… President Adams did not call for a declaration of war, but hostilities began at sea. At first, American shipping was almost defenseless against French privateers, but by 1800 armed merchantmen and U.S. warships were clearing the sea-lanes. —WhiteHouse.gov Question Based on the information in the excerpt, what can be inferred about the effect the war between France and England had on the United States? (1 point) Responses The disagreements between political parties on issues relating to the war led to the inability of Congress to function. The disagreements between political parties on issues relating to the war led to the inability of Congress to function. The attacks on American shipping vessels led to a build-up of an American naval force. The attacks on American shipping vessels led to a build-up of an American naval force. The refusal to pay the bribe resulted in a suspension in French trade that deeply altered the American economy. The refusal to pay the bribe resulted in a suspension in French trade that deeply altered the American economy. The unwillingness of the French to negotiate brought about a long period of distrust of the French Directory.

Answer 1

Based on the information in the excerpt, the most supported inference is: The attacks on American shipping vessels led to a build-up of an American naval force.

The excerpt describes how American shipping was almost defenseless against French privateers due to the tensions between France and the United States. However, it also notes that by 1800, armed merchantmen and U.S. warships were actively working to clear the sea-lanes, indicating a response to the need for protection and an increase in naval capabilities as a result of the conflict at sea. This aligns with the inference about the build-up of the American naval force.