Chapter 10, Part 2
John Adams- 2 nd President Washington’s VP 1796: election b/w Adams and Jefferson 71 votes to 68 Jefferson becomes VP (12 th amendment, 1804)
John Adams New England support Tactless and prickly intellectual aristocrat Hamilton hated him- plot “The most ruthless, impatient, artful, indefatigable and unprincipled intriguer in the United States, if not in the world,”
Unofficial Fighting in France France angry about Jay’s Treaty: – Thought it was a step towards US/British treaty – Violated Treaty of Alliance of 1778
Unofficial Fighting in France French warships began seizing American merchant vessels About 300 by mid-1797
Adams- continues policy of Neutrality Sent 3 men to negotiate with France Hoped to meet with French foreign minister Talleyrand Instead X,Y, and Z Demanded a $250,000 bribe for talking to Talleyrand
XYZ Affair Americans outraged “A million for defense, but not one cent for tribute”
Preparations for War Navy Department created US Marine Corps reestablished 10,000 man army authorized : undeclared war, fighting at sea in the Carribbean
Adams puts Patriotism above Party France realized they really didn’t have money for a war Communicated that they would be open to negotiations without bribery Adams is actually really popular among the Federalists for once and they wanted war
1799 Sends an envoy to France to negotiate with Napoleon Federalist war-haws (Hamilton) outraged Most Americans happy
Convention of 1800 Ended the Treaty of Alliance of 1778 US agreed to pay damage claims of American shippers
Adams Avoided war Paved path for LA Purchase “Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800”
The Federalist Witch Hunt European immigrants to America- lacked wealth, scorned by Federalist party Welcomed by Democratic-Republicans Federalist Congress
Congress Raised residence requirements from 5 to 14 years
Alien Laws President empowered to deport dangerous foreigners in times of peace and to deport or imprison tem in times of hostilities Technically it seemed like war with France imminent Laws never really enforced
Sedition Act Anyone who impeded the policies of the government or falsely defamed its officials would be liable to a fine and imprisonment Was enforced, 10 Democratic-Republicans brought to trial and convicted
crimes Matthew Lyon (congressman)- spit in the face of a Federalist, 4 months in jail $100 fine for wishing a canon fired in honor of Adams had landed in the “seat of the president’s britches”
Sneaky Federalists Wrote laws to expire in 1801 so couldn’t be used against them in the next election
The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Virginia: Madison Kentucky: Jefferson
Both stressed A compact theory: – John Locke – States/individuals enter into a compact/contract with government – When federal government breaks contract, states have the right to fix it – Nullification – Adopted by Supreme Court in 1803
Election of 1800 Federalists Powerful central government Loose interpretation of the Constitution Powerful national bank Restrictions on free speech and press Democratic-Republicans Weak central government Strict interpretation of the Constitution Opposed national bank Relatively free speech and press
Compare the effect of Federalists and Democratic-Republican on the early republic.