The New Nation- The Adams Presidency

The Election of 1796 The Federalists turned to Washington’s Vice President, John Adams. Democratic- Republicans chose Thomas Jefferson The campaign focused heavily on personalities Adams won Jefferson became Vice President

Problems with France French warships seized American merchant ships France refused to receive America’s envoy Adams appointed a diplomatic commission (including John Marshall) to attempt to reach an agreement

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XYZ Affair Three French middlemen demanded a loan and a $250,000 bribe in order for the U.S. envoys to even meet with Foreign Minister Talleyrand The American envoys returned to America

U.S. created the Navy Department and reestablished the Marine Corps undeclared hostilities between U.S. and France The British lent Americans cannon and other war supplies 1799 Adams sent three envoys to France Convention of France agreed to annul the alliance between the U.S. and France and the U.S. agreed to pay the damage claims of American shippers

Alien and Sedition Acts 1798 Alien Acts- Federalist Congress hope to discourage new immigrants from Europe – Requirement to become a citizen was raised from five to fourteen years – “dangerous” foreigners could be deported by the President in time of peace and deported or jailed in time of war (never enforced)

Sedition Act – Anyone who impeded the policies of the government or falsely defamed its officials would be liable to a heavy fine and imprisonment – Infringed on Freedoms of Speech and Press – Attempt by Federalists to silence opposition – Set to expire in 1801

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Documents Analyze the documents. Look for evidence to support your answers. What arguments does Timothy Pickering use to justify the Alien and Sedition Acts? What position does Virginia and Kentucky take? On what grounds do they base their position? What do they recommend/advocate?

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions 1798 and 1799 Drafted by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison “Compact” theory – The 13 states had entered into a compact (contract) when they created the federal government. Therefore, they were the final judges as to whether or not the gov’t had broken the compact by exceeding its authority

Nullification The Kentucky Resolution- federal government had exceeded its constitutional authority with the Alien and Sedition Acts and the solution was nullification- a refusal to accept them Federalists argued that the people, not the states, had created the Constitution and that only the Supreme Court could nullify unconstitutional legislation Idea later used by southerners (ultimately leading to secession)