Final answer:
Federalists wanted to declare war on France in the late 1790s due to ideological differences, the chaotic nature of the French Revolution, and fears of French influence and spies in the United States, compounded by political controversies like the XYZ Affair and the desire to maintain ties with Great Britain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many Federalists wanted to declare war on France in the late 1790s due to several reasons tied to the political and ideological conflicts of the time. The Federalists perceived the French Revolution, especially after the Reign of Terror and the execution of King Louis XVI, as a descent into anarchy that threatened the principles of American republicanism. Federalists like Alexander Hamilton argued that the Americans fought for liberty, while the French fought for "licentiousness," and any encouragement of the French could damage the American experiment.
The Federalists also feared the possibility of French revolutionaries and supposed spies spreading their influence in the United States, especially among their political rivals, the Democratic-Republicans. The controversial XYZ Affair and the resulting Quasi-War with France heightened these fears, leading the Federalists to adopt the Alien and Sedition Acts, targeting immigrants and the Republican press. Additionally, the Federalists, who desired strong relations with Great Britain, viewed the Democratic-Republicans' support for France and the French war effort as a betrayal of the neutrality policy proclaimed by President George Washington and as a potential threat to the nation's security and economic interests.