The XYZ Affair
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The so-called XYZ Affair occured at the end of the eighteenth century when the new American nation came into conflict with the French over a diplomatic scandal. The problem derived from the ascension to power of Talleyrand, whose methods of dealing with foreign nations included seeking bribes as a cost of doing business. This was a major ethical issue for the new nation, which was only developing its political culture and the structures within which its government would operate. The XYZ affair would nearly involve America in a war with France, so in no way was this a minor matter. President John Adams was much affected in his administration by this situation. The basic details of the issue were not in dispute. President Adams sent three ministers to France in 1797 to negotiate a commercial agreement to protect U.S. shipping. The three ministers were approached in Paris by three French agents who suggested a bribe of $250,000 to the French foreign minister, Talleyrand, and a loan of $10,000,000 to France as a prelude to negotiations. This was reported to Washington in dispatches where the three agents were referred to as X, Y, and Z. The matter became public and caused a scandal, with a great deal of outcry over the solicitation for a bribe. There were preparations for war over the matter, and a period of undeclared naval warfare did ensue between France and the United States although no formal war was declared. The incident was finally settled by the Convention of
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active adversary of the sovereign by undermining the imperial throne. Talleyrand lived in an age of corruption, and while those around him were stealing thousands, he was stealing millions. In both France and England, men went into politics expecting to be paid for their effort, and they received profitable posts or pecuniary rewards from their leaders. This did not necessarily mean that they had sold their consciences, but it did mean that they demanded solid remuneration for solid services:
Like many questionable practices the system worked well enough until it was carried to its logical conclusion, when it became a scandal. Talleyrand in France, like Henry Fox in England, acted on the same principles as his contemporaries, but because he took millions where they took thousands, he became an object of general obloquy.
Talleyrand laid the foundations for a tremendous fortune during his years in power, and he received vast sums from many sources, principally from the governments of other countries. This common practice did not sit well with the Americans, however, and when the three representatives arrived, their honesty made them indignant at being asked to provide a bribe before negotiations could begin. The fact that
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1550
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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