Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

The XYZ Affair significantly influenced U.S. foreign policy by fostering a more isolationist attitude in foreign affairs. This event, which occurred in the late 1790s, involved a diplomatic incident between the United States and France, where American envoys were asked for bribes by French diplomats to initiate discussions. The public backlash against these demands solidified anti-French sentiment among Americans and contributed to a decline in support for European alliances. In the wake of the XYZ Affair, the U.S. government, led by President John Adams, opted to avoid military conflict and sought to distance the nation from the entangling alliances that characterized European politics. This sentiment was reflected in Adams' decision to negotiate peace rather than escalating tensions into war, exemplifying a broader trend towards isolationism in American foreign policy during that period. The U.S. focused instead on consolidating its own affairs and maintaining its sovereignty without getting embroiled in European conflicts. The other options do not align with the historical context of the XYZ Affair's impact. While military engagement in Europe increased later, it was not a direct result of the XYZ Affair. Furthermore, the incident did not lead to formal peace treaties with France at that time, nor did it directly encourage alliances with Britain against France;