JOHN ADAMS AS PRESIDENT PARTY POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS

THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTIES THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTIES WE NEED TO HAVE A NATIONAL BANK!!! YOUR BANK WILL ONLY HELP THE RICH!! {But when does the real “party” start???}

THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTIES Federalists led by Adams & Hamilton Supporters-wealthy, well educated Strong national gov’t Emphasis on manufacturing & trade Implied powers of Constitution (loose interpretation) Pro-British Favored national bank Protective tariff Republicans led by Jefferson and Madison Common man should have political power Strong state gov’ts Emphasis on farming Expressed powers of Constitution (strict interpretation) Pro-French Against national bank Against protective tariffs

The Election of 1796— Something Unusual! Since the electors in the electoral college each has two votes, the person who received the most votes became president and the next highest would become vice-president When the ballots were counted – Adams(a Federalist)=71, became president – Jefferson ( a Republican)=68, became vice- president

Adams’ Presidency Not as famous or well respected in America Most problems: foreign affairs – XYZ Affair – War in Europe splits Federalist Party – Alien & Sedition Acts – Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions

XYZ Affair After signing Jay’s Treaty-France became very angry France-started to take American ships and sailors Adams sent an ambassador to Paris, but the French refused to see him

XYZ Affair The next year, Adams sent three representatives to Paris to work out an agreement The French foreign minister, Talleyrand, told the Americans that they could have an agreement, but only after paying him $250,000 to Talleyrand and giving a loan of $10 million to France

XYZ Affair Many Americans wanted war “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Adams began to built war ships (12 frigates), including the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides” French were impressed with American navy and stopped taking American ships

Issue Split the Federalists High Federalists wanted war with France Led by Hamilton Felt that a war would benefit the nation & hurt Republicans who supported France Adams refused to go to war He felt that the nation was not strong enough Hamilton called Adams “unfit for a President” Adams threatened to resign, making Jefferson, a Republican

Convention of 1800 Adams sent ambassadors who found a new ruler- Napoleon (who wanted to conquer Europe). Napoleon Napoleon did not want to fight the U. S. Signed the Convention of 1800 in which France stopped seizing American ships.

Three Laws Anger Republicans Alien Act -Allowed the President to expel any alien (foreigner/non-citizen) for any reason. Naturalization Act - Before 1798, a white- male immigrant could become a citizen after 5 year. Under this law, the time was expanded to 14 years Sedition Act -Any citizen could be fined and/or expelled if he criticized Congress and/or the President.

Jefferson and Republicans React These laws are unconstitutional! We cannot turn to the courts, they’re controlled by Federalist Can the states can do something? NULLIFICATION: Let States decide if a law is constitutional!!!

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Jefferson believed that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional Said that states had the right to declare laws unconstitutional “…each state has an equal right to judge for itself….” Both states (Kt. & Va.) passed resolutions that these laws were “null and void” in each state

Constitutional Issue not Resolved Alien & Sedition Acts repealed as Republicans take over Congress and eventually the Presidency

Election of 1800 Ended in a tie: between two Republicans Each elector could cast two votes Electors who wanted Jefferson as President and Aaron Burr as Vice-President, cast their votes for each. But, both ended up with 73 votes Election must be decided in the House of Representatives

Jefferson Wins After 35 ballots, Alexander Hamilton (a Federalists) convinced other federalists that Jefferson could be trusted but Burr could not, Jefferson was elected the third president Burr became Vice-President Burr, very angry with Hamilton, will challenge him to a duel in Burr killed Hamilton, ending Burr chance for becoming President.