What was the name of the scandal where France wanted 10 million dollars just to talk to the us?

The XYZ Affair

The XYZ Affair was an international diplomatic incident that occurred in 1797 and 1798 between the United States and France. It was the result of a demand by three French agents, known as the XYZ, for a large bribe from the United States in order to negotiate with them. The scandal was a major factor in the Quasi-War between the two countries, and it damaged the reputation of the United States both at home and abroad.

Background

In 1796, the United States and France had broken off diplomatic relations due to the French Revolution. After the election of President John Adams in 1796, the United States attempted to negotiate a new treaty with France. In 1797, Adams dispatched three envoys, Charles Pinckney, John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry, to Paris to negotiate a treaty.

Negotiations

When the envoys arrived in Paris, they were met by three agents of the French Directory, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, Pierre Bellamy, and Jean Conrad Hottinguer. The agents demanded a bribe of $250,000 from the United States in order to negotiate. The envoys refused to pay and returned to the United States.

Outcome

The XYZ Affair became a major scandal in the United States and led to the Quasi-War, an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France. The scandal also damaged the reputation of the United States both at home and abroad, and it contributed to the decline of the Federalist Party.

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