Final answer:
The correct answer is c) Declaring war on France. During the Quasi-War, President John Adams faced internal cabinet pressures to declare war on France but ultimately pursued a policy of limited, undeclared conflict to protect American interests without engaging in full-scale war.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around a critical period in US history, specifically the Quasi-War with France during John Adams's presidency. Based on the historical context, the correct answer to the student's question is c) Declaring war on France. The Quasi-War was an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France occurring from 1798 to 1800, sparked by issues such as the French Revolution, the Jay Treaty with Britain, and the XYZ Affair. While President Adams was persuaded by some of his cabinet members who favored a declaration of war on France, ultimately, Adams decided against a full-scale war.
Adams faced pressure from Secretary of State Timothy Pickering and Attorney General Charles Lee, who both favored a declaration of war on France and suggested expanding the Anglo-American alliance. However, other cabinet members like Secretary of Treasury Oliver Wolcott and Secretary of War James McHenry advocated for a moderate approach, including limited hostilities and seeking a negotiated settlement. President Adams weighed these recommendations but chose to avoid an all-out war and instead pursued a policy of limited, undeclared war that led to a series of naval engagements known as the Quasi-War. This info helps illustrate Adams's balanced approach to the complex crisis with France.