10.5 Troubled Times for John Adams pp. 344-347

Objective: Explain how problems with France divided the nation.

Review: 1. Who was unanimously elected as the nation’s first President? 2. What city served as our first national capital under the new administration? 3. A President’s official advisors are collectively known by what term? 4. Identify the members of Washington’s cabinet and the offices they held. 5. What legislation set up the organization of the Supreme Court and the lower federal court system? 6. Define unconstitutional— 7. Who was the nation’s first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?

Review: 8. Define national debt— 9. What were the three parts of Hamilton’s plan to get the nation on a sound economic footing (see brace map)? 10. Define excise taxes— 11. Define tariffs— 12. Why did Southern states object to Hamilton’s plan for paying off state debts (i.e. assumption)? 13. What was promised to Southern states in exchange for their support in paying off Northern state debts? 14. Washington demonstrated the strength of the new federal government by crushing what rebellion?

Review: 15. At what battle did General “Mad” Anthony Wayne defeat a confederation of Native Americans in the Ohio Valley? 16. In what treaty did the Native Americans agree to give up most of the land in present-day Ohio? 17. Define neutral— 18. What proclamation did Washington issue to keep the U.S. out of war with either Britain or France? 19. Which French diplomat plotted to ignore Washington’s neutrality order and equip U.S. ships to fight the British? 20. Define impressed— 21. Why did the Jay Treaty infuriate many Americans? 22. What were the provisions of Pinckney’s Treaty? 23. Against what three things did Washington warn in his Farewell Address?

Review 24. What were followers of Hamilton known as? 25. What were followers of Jefferson and Madison known as? 26. Define political party— 27. Which party favored rule by the wealthy and educated class? 28. Which party placed an emphasis on farming? 29. Which party favored rule by the (common) people? 30. Which party placed an emphasis on manufacturing and trade? 31. Which party favored a strong national government? 32. Which party favored a strict/literal interpretation of the Constitution? 33. Which party favored strong state governments? 34. Which party favored a loose/flexible interpretation of the Constitution? 35. Who won the Election of 1796 to become the 2nd President of the U.S.? 36. What was unusual about the results of the Election of 1796? 37. Define caucus--

A. Problems with France (p. 345) As the U.S. tried to stay neutral during the 1790s, relations with France grew worse. French ships stopped American ships in the Caribbean and seized their cargos. To avoid a full-fledged war with France, Adams sent a three-person peace commission to Paris.

B. The XYZ Affair (p. 345) The French foreign minister, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, sent three agents to meet with the Americans. But before even beginning negotiations, these French agents demanded a huge bribe and loan. When news of this insult, known as the XYZ Affair, reached America, many people began urging Adams to declare war against France. A popular rallying cry was “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute [bribery]!”

The XYZ Affair

C. Winning the Peace (pp. 345-346) Congress quickly voted to enlarge the U.S. army and navy. But Adams resisted calls for war because he did not feel the nation was ready. In the Convention of 1800, France (now under Napoleon Bonaparte) and the U.S. agreed to terms for peace.

D. Losing Federalist Support (p. 346) Many Federalists vigorously opposed friendship with France and were eager for war as a way to strengthen the federal government. Making peace with France divided the Federalists and cost Adams the support of his own party. Many historians today credit Adams with sacrificing his own personal ambition for what was best for the nation.

E. Suppressing Opposition (p. 346) Beginning in 1798, the Federalist-controlled Congress passed four laws that stirred up a storm of debate. These laws, known collectively as the Alien and Sedition Acts, were intended to protect the country from aliens, or foreigners living in the U.S. But they were also intended to silence Republican opposition.

F. The Alien and Sedition Acts (p. 346) Foreigners living in the U.S.—whether awaiting citizenship or not—were called aliens. The Naturalization Act increased the time required to become a U.S. citizen from 5 to 14 years. The term sedition means to act or speak out against the government in a way that causes unrest. The Sedition Act made it a crime to speak or write critically about the President, members of Congress, the federal government, or federal laws; its purpose was to silence criticism.

Review: 38. What insulting event involved three French agents demanding both a bribe and a huge loan of money before negotiating with American agents? 39. Define aliens— 40. Define sedition— 41. According to the Alien and Sedition Acts, how long would it now take an immigrant to become a U.S. citizen? 42. The Alien and Sedition Acts also made it a crime to speak or write critically about whom?