THE PRESIDENCY OF JOHN ADAMS

Adams was in the shadow of Washington and Jefferson Patriot and Diplomat Revolutionary War Hero Writer of the Declaration of Independence

Conflict with France The French objected to Jay’s Treaty 1797, the French started seizing American ships Patriots called for War Adams sent diplomats to France to resolve the conflict

XYZ Affair France’s foreign minister, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand sent 3 secret agents to seek a bribe from the American diplomats Talleyrand wanted $250,000 for himself and a $10 million loan for France “Not a sixpence!” replied one of the Americans

XYZ Affair Americans were outraged Adams told Congress about the French seeking bribes, calling the 3 French agents. . . X,Y, and Z A New slogan in America was, “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”

Write 3 things you observe about the XYZ Affair from this picture below the slide

Write 3 things you observe about the XYZ Affair from this picture below the slide

Adams Avoids War Adams refused to go to war He strengthened the navy by building Frigates, or fast sailing ships with many guns

Adams Avoids War France decides to stop attacking American ships France promises to treat American diplomats in France with respect

Federalist Party Splits Hamilton criticized Adams for not going to war Hamilton hoped a war would weaken Republican support Hamilton hoped a war would build the military, which would increase federal power and weaken state power Adams wouldn’t give in to Hamilton

Federalist Party Splits High Federalists Followed Hamilton Pushed for War with France Federalists Followed Adams Adams got Napoleon Bonaparte to agree to stop attacking American ships War was avoided

Alien and Sedition Acts Alien Act Allowed the president to throw any foreigner out of the country Immigrants had to wait 14 years to become citizens Purpose of the law was to keep settlers, who often supported Republicans, from voting

Alien and Sedition Acts Citizens could be fined or jailed if they criticized the president of the United States Republicans argued the Sedition Act violated freedom of speech rights protected under the Constitution The Sedition Act was an embarrassment to John Adams’ presidency

The Rights of States Jefferson urged states to nullify, or cancel, laws the federal government passed In this way states could resist the power of the federal government

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Claimed that each state had “equal right to judge for itself” whether a law is unconstitutional States have the power to nullify federal law

Election of 1800 Democratic Republican vs. Federalists Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams

Election of 1800 Jefferson and Adams tied with 73 electoral votes However, at the time the electoral voters did not vote separately for president and vice-president

Election of 1800 The House of Representatives voted and Jefferson and Aaron Burr were tied for the most votes After 4 days the tie was finally broken and Jefferson won, making Burr the vice-president

12th Amendment Required electors to vote separately for the president and vice-president

Transfer of Power Power was peacefully transferred from one political power, the Federalists, to another, the Republicans Outside of the United States, a change of power usually involves violence and war This shows in a democracy power rests in the hands of the people and not rulers or dictators.

Duel between Hamilton and Burr