A Time for Dilemma: John Adams and the French Problem President John Adams The XYZ Affair The Alien and Sedition Acts

The Election of 1796 Hamilton was the first Federalists choice for president but he was considered to controversial to run Adams (Federalist) is chosen and is elected president in 1796

1796 Election Results (16 states in the Union) John Adams Massachusetts Federalist 71 51.4% Thomas Jefferson Virginia Democratic-Republican 68 49.3% Thomas Pinckney South Carolina 59 42.8% Aaron Burr New York 30 21.7% Samuel Adams 15 10.9% Oliver Ellsworth Connecticut 11 8.0% George Clinton 7 5.1% Other - Total Number of Electors 138 Total Electoral Votes Cast 276 Number of Votes for a Majority 70

1796 Election results Adams Jefferson

The XYZ Affair Dispute between the United States and France, 1797–98, that led to an undeclared naval war. While France and Great Britain were at war in the 1790's, Britain and the United States signed a treaty (the Jay Treaty, in 1795) to settle mutual differences. The French took offense to the treaty and retaliated by seizing American ships. President John Adams dispatched federal agents to Paris to negotiate a settlement with France so they would stop attacking American ships.

The XYZ Affair French agents demand a bride before they talked to the American agents about a treaty. Adams announced to the nation how the French behaved France is embarrassed that the American public knows of the bribe The nation prepares for a possible war

Trouble on The High Seas- led to a 2 year fight with no clear winner

Peace Negotiations Adams negotiated a stop to the fighting Napolean Bonaparte was the French Dictator that Adams met with Needed to focus on the fight with Britain Being on his good side would prove to be beneficial in 1803….

His Presidency Adams was strong willed and disliked the Jeffersonian Republicans (opponents) Adams’ personality makes it hard for him to unify the Federalists (his party) He’s perceived as weak by the public when he does not act on France’s threat of war

The Alien and Sedition Acts Federalists fear that Republicans and the French will become allies French and British refugees are coming to the United States to escape the war

The Alien and Sedition Acts June 18, 1798 The Naturalization Act requires a longer time in the U.S. to become a citizen (5-14 years) June 25, 1798 Alien Act gave the president the power to kick out foreigners that he thought were dangerous (used against the French) July 14, 1798 Sedition Act made it a crime to publish criticisms of the government

Politicians can be vindictive The Federalists (Adam’s party) attempted to silence criticism from the Republican party by enforcing the Sedition Act Ben Franklin’s son is actually arrested for violating the Act

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolves,1798 Jefferson and Madison (Democratic republicans) believe that the Sedition Act violates the 1st Amendment They argue that states can cancel out a federal law if the state believes it to be unconstitutional All of the Acts are eventually repealed by 1802

First president to live in Washington D.C. Wife Abigail First president to live in Washington D.C. History.com- political career of John Adams