Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

Which outcome is directly associated with the XYZ Affair?

1. Constitutional amendments on foreign affairs

2. Adoption of the Neutrality Proclamation

3. A naval conflict with France

4. Mobilization of American colonial militias

The correct answer is: A naval conflict with France

The XYZ Affair, which occurred in the late 1790s, was a diplomatic incident between the United States and France that escalated tensions and nearly led to war. The affair started when French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats who were sent to negotiate peace, leading to widespread outrage in the U.S. This incident fueled anti-French sentiment and resulted in increased military preparedness, giving rise to what is often referred to as the "Quasi-War." The correct answer reflects the direct outcome of the XYZ Affair, as the significant confrontation during this period involved naval clashes between American and French forces. The U.S. sought to defend its shipping rights and assert its sovereignty, leading to a series of naval engagements. In contrast, other choices do not relate as directly to the XYZ Affair. Constitutional amendments and the Neutrality Proclamation relate to broader foreign policy and legal frameworks rather than the specific events of the XYZ Affair. Mobilization of colonial militias pertains more to earlier conflicts, such as the Revolutionary War, rather than the outcomes of this late-18th-century incident.