Challenges at Home The Whiskey Rebellion 1. Tax on American-made whiskey a. Farmers angry – cannot afford tax
Challenges at Home 2. Protestors refused to pay tax and tarred and feathered tax collectors 3. Washington puts army together and Whisky Rebellion ends
Challenges at Home Washington leads army into western Pa to end Whisky Rebellion
Challenges at Home Washington’s Farewell Address 1.Washington decides not to run for 3 rd term “tired of public life and devoutly (strongly) wishes for retirement.” ~Washington
Challenges at Home a. reminds Americans he is only president, not king…citizens are true leaders
Challenges at Home 2. Writes farewell speech a. discusses dangers to Americans: 1. Political divisions will weaken government….unity is key to success
Challenges at Home 2. Government should not borrow money (prevent debt) 3. Be careful of relationships with other countries
Challenges at Home “I anticipate….the sweet enjoyment …. of good laws under a free government, the ever favorite object of my heart.” ~Washington
John Adam’s Presidency XYZ Affair 1. Adams’s first goal as pres. was to improve relations between US and France
John Adam’s Presidency a. France attacking American ships b. Adams sends diplomats to France but French foreign minister will not meet with them
John Adam’s Presidency c. French agents secretly meet with US diplomats: 1. French will discuss treaty only for $250,000 bribe and $12 million loan
John Adam’s Presidency 2. US refuses demand and Congress calls for war with France d. Called XYZ affair – X, Y and Z substitute for names of French agents
John Adam’s Presidency e. Adams fears war – asks for peacetime army and to expand navy 1. But American + French ships attack each other in Caribbean
John Adam’s Presidency f. Adams refuses to go to war and eventually treaty signed between French and US
John Adam’s Presidency Alien and Sedition Acts 1. Alien Act – President can remove foreign residents from the country “Any treasonable or secret plots against the government”
John Adam’s Presidency 2. Sedition Act – US can’t join any plots against the government’s policies Illegal to “write, print, utter or publish” any false or hostile words against the government or its policies.
John Adam’s Presidency 3. These acts applied mostly to Republicans who were unhappy with current government policies a. Some arrested and jailed
John Adam’s Presidency 4. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions – said Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional a. Written by Madison + Hamilton
John Adam’s Presidency b. Said state governments could ignore unconstitutional, federal laws c. Impacted idea of states’ rights and their right to challenge federal govern.
John Adam’s Presidency Election of Jefferson and Burr (Republicans) vs. Adams and Pickney
John Adam’s Presidency 4. Jefferson actively campaigns while Adams believes he will be judged on his public record a. Hamilton works against Adams and further divides Federalist party
John Adam’s Presidency Narrow Republican Victory 1. Jefferson and Burr each win 73 electoral votes, 65 for Adams and 64 for Pickney 2.Both Jefferson and Burr eligible for President
John Adam’s Presidency a. House of Representatives decides 1. Federalists vote for Burr 2. Republicans for Jefferson b. Another tie – repeated 30 times
John Adam’s Presidency 3. Jefferson finally wins (thanks to Hamilton) a. Federalist party weakened because of loss
John Adam’s Presidency b. Jefferson believes transfer of power between the 2 parties shows strength of US government
John Adam’s Presidency th Amendment – separate ballot