Editing French Directory (section)

==== Quasi-War with the United States (1798–1799) ====
{{main|Quasi-War}}
Tensions between the United States and France developed into the [[Quasi-War]], an undeclared naval war. France complained the United States was ignoring the [[Treaty of Alliance (1778)|1778 Treaty of Alliance]] that had brought the French into the [[American Revolutionary War]]. The United States insisted on taking a neutral stance in the war between France and Britain. After the [[Jay Treaty]] with Britain went into effect in 1795, France began to side against the United States and by 1797 had seized over 300 American merchant ships. [[Federalist Party|Federalists]] favored Britain while [[Democratic-Republican Party|Jeffersonian Republicans]] favored France. Federalist President [[John Adams]] built up the [[History of the United States Navy|United States Navy]], finishing three frigates, approving funds to build three more and sending diplomats to Paris to negotiate. They were insulted by Foreign Minister Talleyrand (who demanded bribes before talking). The [[XYZ Affair]] told Americans about the negotiations and angered American public opinion. The war was fought almost entirely at sea, mostly between privateers and merchant ships. In 1800, the [[Convention of 1800]] (Treaty of Mortefontaine) ended the conflict.<ref>De Conde, Alexander, ''The quasi-war: the politics and diplomacy of the undeclared war with France 1797–1801'', Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1966</ref>