Quasi-War

The Quasi-War was an undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. It arose due to tensions over unpaid French war debts and American neutrality during the European wars. Although no formal declaration of war was made, both nations engaged in naval battles, capturing each other's ships. The conflict ended with the Convention of 1800, which restored peaceful relations. The Quasi-War highlighted the challenges of early American diplomacy and defense, emphasizing the importance of establishing a capable navy and asserting national sovereignty without escalating to full-scale war.