1. John Adams The Second President of the United States – 1 term of trouble!

2. (Box 1) President Adams  Who was John Adams?  The second president of the US, a liberal northerner, a lawyer, writer of the Declaration of Independence, Founding Father, a Federalist, a Northerner, and not Washington!

3. (Box 2) Tough Presidency  Why did he have a tough presidency?  Followed George Washington – too tough to live up to those expectations.  Thomas Jefferson was his VP  Political Parties fought  France began seizing U.S. ships  Hamilton turned on him over the problems with France – Federalist Party splits.  Arguments over the Alien and Sedition Acts lead to more fears of government power.

4. (Box 3) Results  What was the result of his presidency?  XYZ Affair with France – Adams avoided war by building frigates (big gun ships) but upset Hamilton = Federalist party split  Arguments over the Alien and Sedition Acts (passed so the Federalists can keep power) led Madison and Jefferson to write the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions – which argued that states could nullify (ignore ) national government laws!  This was a key argument for states’ rights and helped lead to the Civil War!  Jefferson elected president in 1800