2nd President of the United States of America John Adams

Election of 1796 Federalist: John Adams, Thomas Pinckney Adams: bad personality, turned people off to him ex: temperamental Democratic-Republican: Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr Retired from Sec. of State in 1793 due to conflicts with Hamilton The Constitution was not prepared for parties and tickets Vote for 2 people, #1=President, #2= VP Changed by what amendment??

Hamilton’s Silent Hand Hamilton did not like Jefferson and did not trust Adams Published anonymous papers directed at Jefferson Tried to get people to vote for Pinckney instead Did not work: Adams wins Divided Government

Inaugural speech: Adams declares neutrality and respect for the French Made D-R’s happy Kept 3 of Washington’s cabinet members Made Federalist’s happy Cabinet members were Hamilton loyalists and put his opinion into every discussion Jefferson and Adams tried to be civil, but because “Hamilton” was giving Adams advice, it did not last

Inheritance of Trouble France unhappy with the election of Adams – Jefferson was pro-French France angered by US neutrality + Jay’s Treaty (U.S. & GB) = French and US troubles French now stopping American ships and seizing their goods to Britain Between 1796 – 98 French captured 300+ ships and $20 million of cargo French refuse to talk with the US minister sent by Washington Federalists wanted war, Adams wanted to negotiate But built the military – just in case Fall of 1797 – US send three men to France to negotiate (not received)

XYZ Affair Talleyrand (French Minister) sends 3 unnamed French agents (X,Y,Z) to meet with American representatives Demand $250,000 to even talk Peace Treaty would cost a $12 million loan to France US Commissioners run to tell Adams Americans, even Democratic-Republican’s are infuriated

Response Adams wants: Congress decides to: Weapons on cargo ships Enlarge the navy while creating a separate department of the navy Build forts to defend the harbors Create alliances with neutral nations Congress decides to: Increase # of troops in army / create a reserve army June of 1798: Congress suspends trade with France and tells the navy to capture armed French ships

Quasi-War of 1798-1799 Quasi: undeclared war (legally) Fought completely on the water Mostly in the Caribbean, 100+ French ships captured Adams knows the US is not prepared to fully enter a war, which is why ne never asks Congress to declare war

Response at Home Federalists and D-R’s at each others throats Very little chance of a French invasion of the states The D-R’s felt that it was all a work of Hamilton’s “Silent Hand” to build the army against people who were against the government Does Hamilton want to be second-in-command behind Washington?

Democratic-Republican newspapers talked trash about Adams Adams growing more mistrusting of his cabinet, but goes with it (too politically weak to fight them) Democratic-Republican newspapers talked trash about Adams “Man without patriotism” Pro-French mobs on the streets in Philly (the capital) Adams stocked up on weapons in his presidential quarters Federalists burned Republican news papers

Exit Ticket How did Hamilton have a “Silent Hand” in the President’s Cabinet and politics?

Federalists attack on the Democratic-Republicans Alien and Sedition Acts Tensions very high Sedition Act: made conspiracy and revolt illegal, penalized speaking or writing anything against the president or Congress Nearly 15 men, Republican editors, were charged, 12 convicted

Alien: a person living in the country who is not a citizen Alien Act 1: Extended wait time for an alien to achieve citizenship 5 years  14 years All aliens must register to federal government Alien Act 2: Gave president the power in time of war to deport or imprison without a trial of any foreigner suspected of being a danger to the US Clear intent: harass French immigrants and discourage others from coming Do not want their influence on our politics

American Response to the Alien and Sedition Acts Republicans very upset – conflicts the Bill of Rights Not enough votes in Congress to overrule, Federalist Court Madison and Jefferson turn to state legislatures Each man drafted a resolution anonymously and gave to two state legislatures to propose to the federal government Why Anonymously????? This act showed that state legislatures had the power to check the constitutionality of federal laws, even nullify

Think about this: Write a paragraph explaining similarities and differences between the Alien and Sedition Acts and the situation with immigrants in our country today.

Resolutions Virginia Kentucky Interposition: Nullification: Argued that if the federal government did something unconstitutional, the state could interpose between the federal government and the people to stop the action Nullification: If the federal government passed an unconstitutional law, states had the right to nullify or declare it invalid If the federal government does something that threatens states liberty, they have the right to disregard If federal government misuses their power, the states have the rights to nullify unconstitutional laws

Impact of these acts: States Rights

Conclusion of Adams Realizes he has been the pawn of Hamilton Refuses to go to war with France January 1799, France sends letter that diplomatic relations are open End of Quasi-War 1800: “true and sincere friendship” treaty with France Adams lost the support of the Federalists because of this and loose the re-election