Which of the following is the best explanation of the XYZ affair that took place during John Adam's presidency?

Question

Group of answer choices

Adams promoted the idea of creating a committee of three diplomats (X, Y, and Z) from America, France, and Great Britain to meet and discuss ways each nation could assist one another.

Adams tried to promote peace with France after French pirates started seizing American ships, but three French officials (X, Y, and Z) demanded a two hundred- and fifty-thousand-dollar bribe before they would even speak with Americans.

Adams tried to purchase three naval ships (X, Y, and Z) from France, but France demanded much more money than the ships were worth, and Adams rejected the offer.

Adams arrested three French pirates (X, Y, and Z) who had seized American ships and millions of dollars in cargo, and then made a deal with the French for their release in exchange for a peace treaty.

Answer 1

The best explanation of the XYZ affair during John Adams' presidency is:

Adams tried to promote peace with France after French pirates started seizing American ships, but three French officials (X, Y, and Z) demanded a two hundred- and fifty-thousand-dollar bribe before they would even speak with Americans.

This incident, which occurred in the late 1790s, involved American diplomats being sent to France to negotiate peace due to increased tensions and attacks on American shipping. The French officials, referred to as X, Y, and Z, demanded bribes and loans as a prerequisite for negotiations, leading to public outrage in the United States and ultimately contributing to an undeclared naval war between the U.S. and France known as the Quasi-War.