John Adams: Patriot, Diplomat, and President Federalist lawyer from Boston. Defended the British soldiers accused in the Boston Massacre. Helped Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence and convinced many of the delegates to accept it. Negotiated the treaty that ended the Revolution. First Vice President. Elected President in 1796.

The X,Y, Z Affair France had begun to seize American ships because of Jay’s Treaty. Adams sends ambassadors to negotiate with France. French mssrs. “X, Y, & Z” demand a bribe of $240,000 & a loan of $10,000,000 in order to open negotiations. American public sees this as a slap in the face and wants to go to war against France.

The “Quasi-War” Adams refuses to ask Congress for a declaration of war. Instead, he fights an undeclared naval war in the Caribbean. France eventually stops its seizures. The Federalists, however, lose the chance to gain popularity by winning a war, and Adams loses the 1800 election to Thomas Jefferson. Did Adams make the right choice?

Alien and Sedition Acts Alien Acts –President may expel aliens “dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States.” –Naturalization period raised from 5 years to 14. –Why do Congress & President Adams pass them? –Were these laws wise? Sedition Act –Anyone who says or prints anything “false, scandalous, or malicious” against the government, the President or Congress “with intent to defame” could be fined and jailed. –Why did Congress & President Adams pass it? –Was this law Constitutional? –Was this law wise?