Final answer:
President John Adams responded to the French seizure of American ships by considering his cabinet's divergent views but ultimately opted for a balanced strategy that avoided full-scale war. He supported arming merchant ships, expanding the navy, and engaged in limited naval conflict, known as the Quasi-War, before pursuing a negotiated peace with France.
Step-by-step explanation:
President John Adams faced a significant foreign policy challenge during his presidency due to the aggressive actions of the French against American shipping. During the Quasi-War between France and the United States, French decrees had authorized the seizure of ships carrying British goods. With France seizing American vessels, Adams was compelled to act. His initial attempt to negotiate a treaty with France culminated in the XYZ Affair, where American diplomats were subject to bribery attempts. This increased tensions and led to calls for a more assertive defense of American maritime interests.
Adams considered his cabinet's advice, which was divided between those who advocated for war and those who preferred a more moderate, negotiation-based approach. Notably, Secretary of State Timothy Pickering and Attorney General Charles Lee supported a declaration of war, whereas Secretary of Treasury Oliver Wolcott and Secretary of War James McHenry suggested limited hostilities coupled with diplomatic efforts. After deliberation, Adams decided against an all-out war. Instead, he supported measures like arming American merchant ships, expanding the navy, and eventually engaging in limited, undeclared naval warfare against France. These actions reflected a diplomatic and military strategy that sought to protect American trade while avoiding formal declarations of war. Adams's fear of deeper entanglement and the political maneuvering by the High Federalists led him to pursue peace. By the end of 1799, with Napoleon now leading France, Adams chose to send another diplomatic mission to negotiate, which eventually contributed to easing the conflicts between the two nations.