The End of the Quasi-War

Impacting America
Written By Tom Hand

In November 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte took over control of the French government with the support of wealthy French merchants who owned lucrative plantations in the Caribbean. Bonaparte was anxious to conclude the Quasi-War, which sapped France’s naval resources and harmed his supporters’ economic interests. The determination of President Adams to stand by his principles, certainly one of his greatest traits, and not expand the conflict with France benefitted the country. But it cost Adams politically as the President lost the support of his own party. By the time the news of the treaty reached America, it was too late to help him in the election of 1800, which he lost to Thomas Jefferson.

Tom Hand, creator and publisher of Americana Corner, discusses the end of the Quasi-War and why it still matters today.


Images courtesy of: National Gallery of Art, Naval History and Heritage Command, National Portrait Gallery - Smithsonian Institution, New York Public Library, The Carolina Story: A Virtual Museum of University History, Brown University Library, Wikimedia.

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Tom Hand
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