Question

Why did many Federalists switch their support from the French to the new government during the course of the Saint-Domingue Revolution? They wanted to resume trade with the island. They were angry at the Republicans who supported the French. They were angry at the French because of the XYZ Affair. They grew to respect and admire the leaders of the insurrection.

Answer 1

Federalists shifted from supporting France to the new American government due to fears that the extremism of the French Revolution and the XYZ Affair threatened the American experiment, Republican support for French radicalism, and strategic trade considerations.

Step-by-step explanation:

Many Federalists switched their support from the French to the new government during the Saint-Domingue Revolution for a few reasons. Initially supportive of revolutionary France, Federalists became alarmed by the extremes of the French Revolution, particularly after the Reign of Terror and the execution of King Louis XVI, which made them question the true nature of the French quest for liberty. The turning point came with the XYZ Affair, where French diplomats demanded bribes and loans to stop harassing American ships, further souring opinions. This event, combined with the rise of partisan politics and fears of French radicalism spurring domestic turmoil, such as the Whiskey Rebellion, and inspiring slave uprisings in places like Haiti, led many Federalists to shift their support from France to the new American government and its principles. This change of heart was also influenced by the desire to resume trade with strategic partners and the perception that Democratic-Republicans were overly sympathetic to French radicalism.

Answer 2

The main reason why many Federalists switched their support from the French to the new government during the course of the Saint-Domingue Revolution was because "They were angry at the French because of the XYZ Affair".