The XYZ Affair

[@jimivey6462]

I love history. Whenever I hear a student say he hates history, my first thought is that he has never had a good history book nor a good history teacher. History is about storytelling and who does not like storytelling? Keep up the good work!

[@davidkelley5382]

Jim Ivey indeed it really is hi_s_tory.

[@jimivey6462]

David Kelley Nice!

[@jimivey6462]

frank hargreaves And the best novels are written by people who know history because they can capture the zeitgeist of the times.

[@coltsrule5150]

That's always been my reasoning. I love me a good story, and history is chuck full of them.

[@coltsrule5150]

@Despiser Despised The parties have switched. I'm not going to make an argument as to why the switch happened, but the switch did happen. All of those southern, conservative slave states who voted mostly democrat during the Civil War, now vote mostly republican. And vice versa, all the northern Union states who voted mostly republican during the civil war, now vote mostly democratic. Me personally, I think it was the democrats passing the Civil Rights Act in the 1960's, because it was during the 1970's when the switch happened. But who knows?

[@johntabler349]

history is not about singular events but a long series of cause and effects thats why i love these forgotten events videos these small pieces make the big picture more clear

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

For exclusive content and behind-the-scenes fun, join our community of fans and supporters at thehistoryguyguild.locals.com! Several viewers have noted that the United States Marine Corps was founded in 1775. That is true, but the corps was dissolved after the American revolution along with the Navy. The USMC was only constituted as a permanent force during the Quasi-War. It is that establishment to which the episode refers.

[@davidkelley5382]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered Really glad I found your channel. I had some really good history teachers but a new 👍 history teacher was always welcome. Hope your making some cash for this because it’s a joy to listen to.

[@austenbin4068]

Strictly speaking, the longest continuous military service in the US is the Coast Guard, (as the Revenue Cutter Service, 1790.)

[@AlaskaErik]

The Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775. It was just in mothballs for awhile. Semper Fidelis.

[@austenbin4068]

That's why i said longest "continuous." Never said it was the oldest.

[@joewolfe2659]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered It’s Democratic-Republican NOT Democrat Republican.

[@josephstalvey6878]

One of the things I most enjoy, is that History here is presented as a continuous flow of cause and effect. Not a rigid group of compartmented times. I have never heard any figure say," Ok people, the Renaissance begins tomorrow. Let's get this old stuff out."

[@davidkelley5382]

Joseph Stalvey are you sure? That’s the way it’s organized in my family bible and they go all the way back to March.

[@BadWebDiver]

So you're telling real history doesn't work like the graphics in a computer game???!!! ;)

[@bret9741]

Thank you so much for another great history lesson. As much as I disagree with many of KZbin’s political leanings.... I am very thankful that this medium of information allows for some amazing learning. What I can learn on KZbin is far better than what I was able to learn in college. From history, math, engineering, current events, guns, planes, Space exploration, food, DYI home improvements and the list goes on and on I can use KZbin as a source for learning that our ancestors never could have fathomed. The History Guy is at the top of my list. Thank you again.

[@LarryGailNaselli]

Bret, if you haven't already done so, you may like to add PragerU to your youtube subscriptions.

[@chrisperry7538]

You do an excellent job of connecting the dots of historical events to give them greater relevance.

[@NorthernChev]

I hope we never run out of history... I don’t want this channel to ever end.

[@deaustin4018]

I always thought I was fairly well versed in history, but the History Guy blows me away every time both with facts and with a concise and detailed explanation and interpretation of those facts and their broader meaning and consequences. Ok, I'm an amateur who knows just enough to appreciate a professional.

[@araeagle3829]

Thank you very much. I had not heard of the XYZ affair until I started watching the John Adams series from HBO recently. Great job on the video!

[@luciusavenus8715]

Really enjoyed that series. Brilliant cast. No idea how historically accurate it was though.

[@MarkTheMorose]

I just finished watching it yesterday, by coincidence. According to the Wikipedia article on the series, several departures from fact occur throughout.

[@robertneal4244]

One of the things I truly enjoy about history is the connection of one event to many others. James Burke's "Connections" series, for example, is very enjoyable. Thank you for connecting the XYZ affair to events before and after which better illustrate the impact it had.

[@ezdeezytube]

Either I am getting older and appreciating history more, or you just make fantastic videos. Perhaps both, but here I am, watching your history videos of George Washington's wooden teeth.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

ezdeezytube maybe the kindest comment I've ever gotten. Thanks!

[@corycollier]

Here, Here! I second that! I've been binge-watching his videos and absolutely love it! :) I just wish My history teacher in High School was as cool as him! :)

[@jeffreyrobinson3555]

Loved it. This spot is almost never talked about. I was an adult well into history before I ever heard of it

[@donpacificbobcat9er615]

One of those six frigates is still around to this day. The USS Constitution, which is famous for it’s service in the War of 1812.

[@vanessathomas6486]

WOW! didn't know that! Learn something new here all the time!

[@Longbowan]

@@vanessathomas6486 Indeed, The US still have active Navy Seamen assigned to maintain it to this day. I personally walked on it's decks up in Boston, ah-mini years ago :)

[@sisenor4091]

Still active.

[@docclabo6350]

The USS Constitution, also known as 'Old Ironsides' because cannonballs bounced off her oak sides in a battle against HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, is the oldest commissioned warship afloat. She never lost a battle and is a truly beautiful ship. Finally, Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote a poem called "Old Ironsides" in 1830 that helped save her from being broken up. There is a lot in her story that would make one or more good History Guy videos.

[@michaelsmart1577]

@@docclabo6350 Oldest in US maybe but in the world its still the HMS Victory @ 241 years' service this year

[@brachiator1]

Great episode. KZbin also served up a clip from the John Adams mini series in which Adams and Jefferson discuss the initial revelations of the XYZ affair, and the French attempts at bribery.

[@josephdestaubin7426]

Hi. Brilliant. Can you do an episode on Jefferson's role in the French Revolution. I'm always amazed at how few people know about his involvement, or know about the criticism he received for it. That criticism impart explains some of his obstinence in later political battles with Hamilton and Adams and even in Madison (with respect to party and state nulification). This video is really great analysis oh, well done indeed. But the quality of your work has given me high hopes that you could do the subject of Jefferson's relationship to the French revolution justis. I've never seen anything in textbooks about this, but his private correspondences with Madison, Adams, and others contain all the source documents one would need.

[@greatnortherntroll6841]

My new Favorite youtube channel! Knowledgeable and infectiously enthusiastic!

[@gregsmith1719]

Good one! I just finished reading about this affair in Chernow's Hammilton. Keep it up!

[@pilotdane]

I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

pilotdane I learn something every time I make one.

[@brianfoley4328]

The History Guy might want to add the fact that American frigates that fought in the War of 1812 against the British were armed with cannons supplied by Great Britain originally intended to be used against the French in the Quasi-War...it's called...irony.

[@tonyjames5444]

Good point, what's also interesting is the British tactic at the time of closing with the enemy meant they didnt favour 'long barrel Canon' and many were sold to the US. 'Short barrelled Canon' could be reloaded quicker but the fall off was they weren't as good at longer distance, subsequently American heavy frigate tactics were to stand off and dissmast their opponents and the 'longs' as they were known were perfect for this.

[@zarabada6125]

If you call that irony, you will have to call many conflicts in history ironic. America sold weapons to the Germans in the early stages of WW2, then joined the war on the side of Britain. America sold weapons to Iraq and Afghanistan but would later fight against them too. There are many other examples from varying nations.

[@Darrel_Owen]

@Trish Foley - Were the cannons made of iron? Because that would make it even better. More iron-ic, as it were.

[@mshinn13]

Zarabada Thank you captain obvious

[@jeffreyroot7346]

@@Darrel_Owen Exactly, these were iron cannon.

[@williamsegall2934]

I am retired Navy and never heard this before. Wry interesting. Thank you.

[@MsEripmav]

This is terrific, it's just he explanation I was hoping for!

[@webbtrekker534]

I remember learning about some of this in school but I wasn't aware of the Navy Marine Corp creation resulting from that. Thanks.

[@ericblair8821]

Thanx Hx Guy - The "Affair" seems to have had long reaching tentacles. What is infuriating is a guy like Tallyrand willing to go to war for a bribe with other peoples lives. Hx guy should do one on Tallyrand, the ultimate survivor.

[@Baelor-Breakspear]

We had to learn about this in history class. I can’t remember the year but I definitely heard about this in class years back.

[@johngalt2506]

Theres a great book about the formation of the US Navy called "Six Frigates". Highly recommended.

[@shenghan9385]

Not interested. I am too cheap to buy real hardcopy books.

[@Darrel_Owen]

@@shenghan9385 - I think you can buy "Episode 1: Three Frigates" for half off.

[@HerrZenki]

@@Darrel_Owen Or maybe you can buy Episode 0.5 : "A frigate" for a third of it.

[@gregstitz3440]

“Six Frigates” is a great book. At this point, it’s probably available at a pretty reasonable price used, should be in your local library as both a physical book and an e-book.

[@mv2e19]

thank you so much. best explanation i could find on the xyz affair.... ive got an APUSH test in a couple days so this really helped

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Glad to help! Good luck on your test!

[@codybailey855]

I do remember this from History class!Thanks for the video, and your channel as a whole!

[@bgjms45]

My new favorite channel.

[@drsonnysell4471]

Gratitude & Respect Professor!!

[@austenbin4068]

I did a paper in college about the Louisiana Purchase, and the XYZ Affair played a big part in that too, since it was yet again Tallyrand that dealt with American diplomats. Tallyrand is one of the most interesting political figures in history! The guy came up in aristocratic France, survived the French Revolution, served under Napoleon off and on, and ended up serving the governments that followed his overthrow! He was a survivor.

[@deejay2882]

thank you I am a teacher and this information was concise and clear. The effects of the XYZ affair was very helpful.

[@nickheidenberg4847]

I enjoy your program and hope you continue to make more videos. Nick Heidenberg

[@marveybrent7571]

I love your hats. When it comes to aspects of historical dress, I tend to especially love headgear the most, from ancient Greek perikaphalaia to 1850s British sun helmets to 1980s Soviet peaked caps. A video specifically about your hat hobby would be interesting.

[@shawngilliland243]

This is one of my very favorite of your superb presentations, History Guy. Thank you.

[@stevedriscoll6539]

My Lord History Guy, you're good!! I never tire of watching your presentations. Keep up the good work!!

[@dungeonrat]

You and the fellow that runs the , "Flght Channel ", have the two best Channels on all of KZbin! I love history too.

[@vanessathomas6486]

I'm a huge history buff! I remember reading about this in high school.

[@franklinhayes3206]

I enjoy your channel. I love history.

[@jemc4276]

What a fascinating little snippet of history. Thanks History Guy.

[@arwaabougharib8698]

Very insightful. Thank you!

[@janineharrison5186]

My father served in the Navy and Merchant Marines. As a adamant history buff, it is interesting how this effected our country.

[@paulw176]

History Guy makes history fascinating. My HS history classes were an exercise in trying to keep my eyes open...

[@rebekahsquires2073]

Wow I had no idea how a lot of those events connected! I knew about bits of them but couldn’t remember details or maybe never was taught that much about it. That is really interesting to learn of that progression of events. Things are always more complicated than at first glance.

[@CaptMike]

I really enjoy your videos!

[@leeandadaelliott]

Love your videos. I'd like it if you'd do a video on the Pacific war between Peru, Bolivia and Chile. My knowledge of the causes and consequences of this war are sketchy at best.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Yes, I think there will be one or more episodes on the pacific war eventually.

[@vincentcordova4366]

Best channel on KZbin. Period.

[@anthonypeterson5618]

A rare event I remember reading bout. Thx for the details.

[@chuckmartin935]

Best concise explanation of this event on utube!!

[@AlanSaltman]

Hi just wanted to say thanks for some excellent information. The XYZ affair segment was awesome and was hoping you had information or could do a piece on the Chelsea creek naval battle where a British frigate was lost during revolutionary war. As a former Marine I liked the way you tied in the Navy and Marine Corp to your story. I have underwater, land and air drones and enjoy searching for bits of history as well.

[@fatigueduck]

Kudos for putting "Skip Intro: 00:10" in the description, just in case anyone wanted to learn their history 10 seconds faster.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Well viewers complained about having to watch the intro over and over.

[@mattheweburns]

Whoa what is that super wide pic behind you in the background? That's a lot of folks! Must be multiple pics put together... Thanks for the videos, cheers!!

[@dalirfarzan1694]

XYZ Affair is pretty common to be taught in US history courses these days. APUSH has been known to have several questions stemming from the XYZ Affair that can be put onto their annual tests.

[@vanessathomas6486]

Loved It! Didn't realize how it tied into the Alien and Sedation Act.

[@patbak235]

I didn't know about the Alien and Sedition acts before the ones in the early 20th century great info you've given me lots to look into thanks!

[@ericashfordful]

Fascinating historical info as usual especially how you join the dots to other essential histories.

[@Redhand1949]

This is very good channel. I like your subjects and delivery.

[@SirKenchalot]

Another excellent video; I really enjoy your fascinating content and how you present it. Did we ever find out who X, Y and Z were?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

French diplomats Jean-Conrad Hottinguer (X), Pierre Bellamy (Y), and Lucien Hauteval (Z)

[@SirKenchalot]

Wow, you're like the most amazing historian ever; really enjoy every one of your videos.

[@sethdrewery7141]

dude... you could make an hour long video of history and i would watch it.... im just waiting for you to show up on the history channel:) love your videos:) keep them up:)

[@dalebrown6716]

Absolutely one of the best and important things I’ve ever heard 👍💥

[@alanswensen1802]

I found this fascinating! Perhaps include reference links so we could read more about this?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I tend to coalesce a number of sources to produce these, so creating bibliographies has turned out to be time prohibitive. But I am happy to offer references where I can in response to specific questions. For a general description of the XYZ Affair, William Stinchcomb's 1980 reference is pretty much the definitive work, although somewhat difficult to find. For something a little less daunting, the State Department Office of the Historian has a description here: history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/xyz The affair is also covered in part VI of the delightful HBO miniseries John Adams.

[@alanswensen1802]

Good point

[@maryloth4041]

Thank you very much!! This was very helpful!

[@waltershumate5777]

You got me. I did not know about that little snippet of US history.

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Very nicely done. (Will this be on the test?)

[@alancasallas1501]

I remember learning this in school.

[@ackid59]

THG, how about the SF Mint gold theft back in the late 19th century/early 20th? I believe the 1500+ gold coins found by the California couple were somehow tied to it?

[@TedBronson1918]

Excellent analysis HG !

[@jamestodd9115]

Great Job. I love every episode! Thank You.

[@slantsix6344]

Love these! Thanks for posting this

[@umikousaka8158]

1:16 Would that be the Jay Treaty which you are talking about? Hope you do an episode on it someday :) Really good video all around!

[@pdc023]

I think you overlooked the rallying cry of the XYZ affair, "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute", attributed to Robert Goodloe Harper. We were taught of the XYZ Affair in the 5th grade in the mid-1960's. You are correct in stating that most people have never heard about it. It's a shame that American history and civics are no longer emphasized in primary and secondary education.

[@scubaguy007]

You do a great job reminding people of history. Thank you for your dedication. I click on your videos every time I see them. 😉🖖🏼

[@billstrutz7912]

Gosh, and all this time I thought that XYZ stood for, "examine your zipper." I'd better not get into any arguments with these history folks!

[@morskojvolk]

Very nice!

[@brianmaxei8898]

Just love you history guy

[@jonathanguisinger3395]

I wonder if you may make a episode to talk about Fort Jefferson Kentucky of which most don't know about, of which it had a brief lifetime in 1780-81, on the Mississippi, and while the other Kentucky forts were private/commercial driven like Boonsboro, this fort was authorized by the Virginia government, under Governor Thomas Jefferson, and started with troops at the start by George Rogers Clark. There was a town that was planned and built next to the fort. Both did pretty well with no Indian raids and high hopes of prosperity. Then when the bulk of troops were sent east back to help out other places, then the Chickasaw attacked, and things went bad and food was scarce, despite requests, instead they got war supplies, which obviously you can't eat. The town was abandoned first then the fort was abandoned, due to its isolated position.

[@ZenZaBill]

Intriguing... the Alien and Sedition Act was a bell-ringer that reverberates today.

[@zackthebongripper7274]

I knew some dolt would make tenious links to the Trump administration. The only problem is that 40 million and counting illegal aliens is not an "immigration issue" it's a globalist invation.

[@egala005]

@@zackthebongripper7274 Jajaja, prepare to be out-bred, white bread

[@zackthebongripper7274]

@@egala005 Thanks for admitting it isn't a conspiracy theory, leftist chicom. LOL.

[@egala005]

@@zackthebongripper7274 couldn't pick up on the obvious satirization of your fear mongering? Oh that's right, the right can't meme

[@zackthebongripper7274]

@@egala005 Your satire is poorly executed, ccp agent. Try again.

[@didierroux3193]

Did you done a video about the Three Miles Accident on March 28, 1979 ?

[@blacktar467899]

I can't let this go without addressing nullification. Nullification was actually an intermediate step before succession. Legally, it was the belief that a state, within the union was not bound by any federal law that its legislature voted to void. Southern politicians believed nullification was provided for in the Constitution, and some believe that today. The nullification issue didn't really come to a head until the 1828 tariff law, that southerners called the "tariff of abominations." In 1830, the South Carolina legislature, led by governor Calhoun voted to nullify the tariff. In response, president Jackson sent federal troops to their borders, forcing the state's capitulation. The upshot was the southern states realized that the federal government had means to force compliance, and turned towards the more radical policy of succession.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I think I will likely do an episode on the nullification crisis.

[@jjj1951]

Did you mean to say 'secession' rather than succession?

[@blacktar467899]

Yes, "secession."

[@davidkelley5382]

The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered that would be cool. If you’re keeping track put me down for an aye!

[@JarthenGreenmeadow]

Did this ever get made?

[@bobconnor1210]

Well that was short and very pithy! I would like to recommend Ian W.Toll’s excellent “Six Frigates” for those interested in American Naval History immediately prior to the events in this article. My copy went to a Navy Cadet.

[@johnink2quill776]

Thanks for the great video. 😀

[@lamonstra1464]

Napoleon looks very fetching at 3:22 in his little tights!

[@thomasb1889]

One of the few ships we had was rather active in the Quasi War, the USS Constellation fighting both the L'Insurgente and the La Vengeance

[@heathergundry7059]

Thank you History Guy. Can you please recommend any movies made surrounding the XYZ affair? I think it would be an excellent topic and plot for a film? Does anyone know of any, please ?

[@blockmasterscott]

Man, you are really good at teaching!

[@madisonhernandez9583]

Keep making good videos!!! Your doing great 👍

[@painmagnet1]

It's amazing to me that I wasn't taught this in high school history class. This small affair literally drove the foundations of our country.

[@anthonyhargis6855]

It doesn't amaze me, Our schools stopped teaching our children long ago.

[@NoOne-kr4jc]

Thank you very much for this.

[@UsherLinder]

Great! By the way, were Messrs. X, Y and Z ever named? Thanks!

[@shannonhondo260]

Can you do a lesson on Barbary Wars. It seems the Marines were active there in Benghazi if im not mistaken

[@captainamerica6525]

Very good! Excellent job!

[@richardportillo3001]

Women and children first. This was awesome. THG presented this episode with such passion and facial expressions placed me on the very ship..👍

[@pixelartiste1]

I wish you were my old teacher in Texas. All we learned about then was when the Japanese bombed the Alamo .

[@abrad3061]

This was a great piece. We have been shortsighted since the beginning, we still do the same thing.

[@princesslexilou13]

i love the sailor hats in the background ❤‍🔥❤they are fire

[@ohmeowzer1]

Thank you enjoyed this

[@bryansmith1920]

the guy shows you the nitty gritty of a seemingly minor story that leaves you flabbergasted

[@quarant1353]

Could you do a presentation on Canada's October Crisis of 1970?

[@stevemaviver357]

Wow interesting really nice info on this subject XYZ .

[@MichaelSHartman]

Thanks for the interesting video. I was going to ask about it.

[@Rorkazak]

Very nicely done, sir.