Final answer:
The Marine Corps was reestablished in 1798 due to the threat of war with France, specifically during the period of the Quasi-War, when France targeted American ships carrying British goods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Marine Corps was reestablished in 1798 with the impending threat of war with France. This reestablishment coincided with the period when Americans were deeply divided over foreign affairs, particularly regarding the French Revolution. During the late 1790s, the French Directory declared that any ship carrying British goods could be seized, leading to the undeclared Quasi-War between France and the United States. To bolster defense, the Adams administration urged the building up of the U.S. Navy and reestablishment of the Marine Corps to protect American interests.