The above picture is U.S. military recruitment poster used during the Quasi War
1798 Quasi-War
The 1798 Quasi-War was a small, undeclared naval conflict between the United States an France. It was started by Jays treaty, an economic treaty America signed with England that the French thought violated the 1778 Treaty of Alliance. France saw America as favoring England despite their proclaimed neutrality. The disagreements escalated when three French agents demanded a bribe, a war loan, and apologies for anti French statements to speak to the French foreign minister. This angered the U.S., and their fledgling navy began attacking French privateers and warships that attacked American trade. It was largely a success for the United States navy, as they captured 85 French privateers while only losing one ship to enemy action. Hostilities were ceased in 1800 after the Treaty of Montefontaine.
I think this was an important war because it showed that America, while not a world power yet, would not be preyed upon as an inferior nation. America had defended its rights as a sovereign nation and showed that it did not need European allies to survive. It also showed the effectiveness of the U.S. navy in the first post-revolutionary conflict. Overall, it gave America a morale boost and helped it establish a place in the world.
This video gives a short overview and some explanation about the Quasi War
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20817F73C5E1A7A93CAAB1782D85F458485F9
The Quasi War is often used to show the way early presidents sought congresses' approval before taking aggressive action
The Quasi War is often used to show the way early presidents sought congresses' approval before taking aggressive action