What was a significant demand made by the French in the XYZ Affair?

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The significant demand made by the French during the XYZ Affair was for bribes and a large loan. In 1797, when American diplomats were sent to France to negotiate and resolve ongoing tensions, they encountered French agents, referred to as X, Y, and Z, who requested substantial bribes and a loan to the French government as conditions for negotiating peace. This demand was shocking to the American public and government, leading to a surge of anti-French sentiment and the phrase "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute." The XYZ Affair underscored the diplomatic tensions between the United States and France and highlighted the challenges the young nation faced in its foreign relations.

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