Escalating Tensions with France Lead to Quasi-War

The New Nation
Written By Tom Hand

The Quasi-War was an undeclared war between France and the United States, fought in the Caribbean and along the southern coast of America, between 1798 and 1800. President John Adams, wanting to maintain our neutrality, refused to declare war but recognized the need to rebuild our navy, which had been disbanded after the American Revolution.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses what happened during the Quasi-War, including the creation of the Department of the United States Navy, and why it still matters today.

Images courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy, National Gallery of Art, United States Senate, National Archives, USS Constitution Museum, Library of Congress, Wikipedia.

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Tom Hand
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