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________ was not enacted by Congress after the XYZ Affair

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Final answer:

The XYZ Affair did not lead to Congress enacting a war declaration against France. Instead, other measures like the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed. These acts were met with opposition from Republican figures and resulted in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions disputing federal authority.

Step-by-step explanation:

The XYZ Affair led to considerable domestic turmoil, including an increase in partisan politics in the United States. However, one piece of legislation that was not enacted by Congress after the XYZ Affair was a declaration of war against France. Despite the outrage caused by the incident, the Federalist-controlled Congress, influenced by President John Adams, chose to pursue other measures such as arming American merchant ships and passing the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts. These actions represented a moderate approach rather than engaging in a full-scale war.

The Alien and Sedition Acts, which were indeed passed, were four laws targeting immigrants and the Republican press, reflecting the Federalists' fear of French influence and political opposition. Meanwhile, the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were passed by the respective state legislatures in response to these acts, establishing the principles of nullification and states' rights in contesting federal authority.

It's important to note that the Federalist and Republican parties at the time had opposing views regarding France. While the Federalists viewed France as a threat and supported measures such as the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Republicans, including leaders like Thomas Jefferson, opposed these measures and were more inclined to seek reconciliation with France.

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