Chapter 9, Section 3

In 1796, President Washington decided that two terms in office was enough. Wanted to return to Mount Vernon, his estate in Virginia. Served eight years ( ) in office. Symbol of national unity.

1796 – Washington published his Farewell Address. Urged the U.S. to remain neutral in its relations with other countries. Warned the U.S. to avoid becoming involved in European affairs. Warned Americans against forming political parties. Many Americans saw political parties as a threat to national unity. However, two political parties emerged, led by Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.

Thomas Jefferson & James Madison founded the Democratic- Republican Party. Strong belief in democracy and the republican system. Drew support of farmers and working class. Alexander Hamilton & John Adams formed the Federalists Party. Reflected strong belief in a strong national government. Drew support from Northern merchants and manufacturers.

Democratic-Republicans backed Thomas Jefferson for Pres. and Aaron Burr for V.P. Federalists backed John Adams for Pres. and Thomas Pinckney for V.P. Under the Constitution the candidate with the most electoral votes became Pres. and the candidate with the 2 nd highest number of votes became V.P.

John Adams (Federalist) became Pres. and Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) became V.P – John Adams became 2 nd President of the United States. With Pres. and V.P. belonging to different parties, tension became very high. Adams and Jefferson distrusted each other.

French objected to Jay’s Treaty because they felt it favored Britain – French began to seize American ships in the West Indies. Americans called for war. Adams sent diplomats to France to avoid war.

French foreign minister sent French agents to deal with the American diplomats. The French agents demanded a $250,000 bribe and a $10 million dollar loan to France before they would even talk to the Americans. Adams told Congress about the bribe. He did not reveal the names of the French agents (he referred to them as “X”, “Y”, and “Z”). Became known as the “XYZ Affair.” Americans were outraged, but Adams still wanted to avoid war with France.

Alien Act – allowed the President to expel any alien (foreigner) thought to be dangerous to the U.S. Also made it harder for immigrants to become citizens. Sedition Act – citizens could be fined or jailed if they criticized the government or its officials. Sedition – stirring up rebellion against the government.

Jefferson & Madison looked for a way to fight the Alien and Sedition Acts. Found a theory called state’s rights- the idea that states have certain rights that the federal government cannot overrule. Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions ( ) – claimed that each state “has an equal right to judge for itself” whether a law is constitutional, and if states disagreed with a federal law, they had the right to cancel it.

With war fever high, Adams reopened talks with France. The two sides quickly signed the Convention of 1800, an agreement to cease all naval attacks.