Neutrality, in truth, meant that both Great Britain and France would attempt to prevent American goods from reaching their enemy, frequently in violation of the established precedents of neutral rights. Nevertheless, Adams came under severe criticism from the Democratic-Republican press. Many Federalists called for war with France, but Adams, putting national interest above party, resisted believing that the United States was not in an adventitious position to go to war. Ultimately French attacks on neutral shipping led to the XYZ Affair and deteriorating relations with France. For the United States, neutrality, in truth, meant that both Great Britain and France would attempt to prevent American goods from reaching their enemy, frequently in violation of the established precedents of neutral rights. Others, supporters of Adams and Hamilton, saw the French Revolution as the overthrow of the established order resulting in anarchy and viewed the strong central government of Great Britain as a much more preferable model.

Some, like Jefferson’s supporters, saw the French Revolution as an attempt to overthrow tyranny in the same way the colonists had overthrown British tyranny in 1776. Washington formally declared the United States a neutral country in the conflict, but Americans divided into pro-French and pro-English camps.

The Alien and Sedition Acts came about as a result of the French Revolution and the subsequent declaration of war by France on England in 1793.

Espionage act apush