John Adams Administration Crisis to Crisis

Election of 1796 1st partisan election Federalists---(Mass) John Adams—Pres. ; (SC) Thomas Pinckney VP Republicans—(VA) Jefferson—Pres. ; (NY) Aaron Burr VP Adams—71 (N’rn votes) Jefferson—68 (S’rn Votes) Pre-12th amendment

Crisis I – Foreign policy Threat of war with FR (FR seized US Vessels) Refused to accept US ambassador sent by Adams(FR angry over Jay’s Treaty) Federalist Party Supports war w/FR Adams wants to wait it out—refuses to start anything w/FR Claimed US wasn’t ready (took Washington’s advice)

Crisis I – Foreign policy con’t. Adams Sends 3 agents to FR to Negotiate FR minister Demands Bribe ($250,000) Leads to “XYZ” affair---Angers Public—get information through papers. Papers used X, Y, Z instead of the names

Crisis I – Foreign policy con’t. Leads to undeclared naval war w/FR Congress votes to create Dept of Navy---enlarge military Increase size of US Army –George Washington put in charge 1799---New gov’t in FR—Adams sends 3 reps—Ruins Adams w/ Fed Party Trying to avoid war

Crisis II-Constitutional Alien and Sedition Act Alien Acts 4 new laws limiting citizenship increased waiting period from 5 yrs-14 to be citizen Deportation by Presidential Order Allowed aliens to be jailed w/out trial in war time

Crisis II-Constitutional Con’t. Sedition Act Made it illegal to speak or write w/the intent of defaming or bringing contempt to President or members of Gov’t HUGE Violation of 1st Amendment Used against Rep Newspapers (papers were very important—only real way to get information to public) Big issue in 1800 election

Crisis III—Union Virginia and KentuckyResolution Reaction to Alien & Sedition Acts Sectionalism and Partisan—Big Issue over states’ rights. States never surrendered rights to judge constitutionality of Federal Actions

Crisis III—Union cont’d. Doctrine of Nullification 1. Union composed of Independent States 2. Union is an agency of the States 3. Any act of Congress can be declared null and void A state can choose to secede from the Union *Foundation for State’s Rights Philosophy

Election of 1800 Controversy btwn Pres & VP Federalist—Adams Dem/Repub’ns--Jefferson 1st place Pres 2nd place VP Election Outcome Jefferson 73 Adams 65 Burr 73 Hamilton’s “tinkering” with votes Decision goes to House of Representatives for Final Decision House controlled by Democratic Republicans 12 Amendment separate ballots for pres and VP

Lame Duck Session Midnight appointments Adams makes Federal Appointments to courts Federalist’s #’s increased by outgoing congress “Retreat to the Judiciary”--Lost stronghold in legislative & Executive branches; he used Judiciary to retain power Appointment of John Marshall to Chief Justice -- Others made @ last minute

Marbury v Madison (1801) Madison (Sec of State) refused to deliver commission to Marbury Marbury petitioned S. Crt to force Madison to deliver commission (Judiciary Act) Creates problem for Chf Justice Marshal He wants to help a fellow Federalist The Judicial Branch doesn’t enforce law

Marbury v Madison (1801) cont’d. Unconstitutional—violates constitutional requirements for Original Jurisdiction What is Original Jurisdiction? What kind of cases have O. J. with the Supreme Court? Establishes Judicial Review--Right to declare laws unconstitutional.