Quote:
Originally Posted by Adm.Lee
Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson had to struggle mightily with the partisan divide over neutrality or involvement in France's wars.
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Indeed. Adam's Federalists sympathized with England while Jefferson's Republicans sympathized with France. The Reign of Terror in France and French diplomatic misbehavior in the U.S. soured many here on the nascent French Republic. France's refusal to honor neutral shipping rights, and the infamous XYZ Affair led to a brief Quasi-War between the two nations ("Millions for defense; not a cent for tribute", or something to that effect). Adams' efforts to end that expensive and not-very-popular war led to a split in the Federalist party which allowed Jefferson to take the presidency and usher in the Era of Good Feelings.