1. WASHINGTON AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Declaration of Neutrality
Attempt to keep America out of the growing European war
Proclaimed American neutrality towards GB and France
Stated Americans should remain “fair but impartial”
Genet Affair
French diplomat Genet sent to gain American support
Before presenting credentials, he started recruiting Americans to fight against Great Britain and Spain
Violation of American neutrality and diplomatic protocol
But, Washington allowed him to stay in the country because the government that sent him was out of power in France and it was dangerous for him to return (1st to request political asylum – precedent)

2. British occupation of forts in the NW still a problem
Fur trade + support of Natives
Little Turtle = chief of the Miami tribe located in the Northwest (Ohio) Territory
He led a Native confederation in a battle against Americans in and won
But, after Gen. Wayne put in charge of American army, he warned his tribe not to fight
He was removed as chief
PROBLEMS IN THE WEST

3. BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBERS
Washington selected Anthony “Mad Anthony” Wayne to settle Native issues in the Ohio territory
He defeated Miami Confederacy, ending Native American resistance in the Ohio
Treaty of Greenville
Natives gave up most of the land in NW Territory in exchange for $20,000 worth of goods + annual payments
Right to hunt on lands
But, their recognition of status will change in future
BATTLE OF FALLEN TIMBERS

4. John Jay sent by Washington to England to end disputes, work out a treaty over disputed western territory / navigation issues
TERMS
Britain would evacuate NW and pay for damages to shipping
But, did not commit to stopping future seizures / impressments
US agreed to finally pay pre-Revolution merchant debts
US allowed GB to keep fur trade in NW, angering westerners
JAY’S TREATY

5. JEFFERSON AND PINCKNEY TREATY
Jefferson resigned from Washington’s cabinet
Angered at attacks by Federalists and his continuing feud with Hamilton, whom Washington supported
U.S. sent Pinckney to negotiate with Spain
The U.S. wanted to settle issue of shipping on the Mississippi River + western lands
Spain signed a treaty with France and then worried about retaliation from England + possible American attack, so signed treaty to reduce American threat
(a) Gave up claims to land east of the Mississippi - except Florida (b) recognized the 31st parallel as the southern boundary of the U.S. / northern boundary of Florida (c) free navigation of Mississippi and use of New Orleans

6. ELECTION OF 1796
John Adams (Federalist) running against Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)
First election where political parties were an issue
The writers of the Constitution never considered that political parties/beliefs would develop
The Constitution said that the winner of the election would be President and the person who came in second place would be Vice-President
Adams won the majority of the votes (71)
Jefferson came in second place (68)
So, President and Vice-President had different views on how to run the government / country

7. ADAM’S PERSONAL STYLE
Toughest job – to be President after George Washington
Short, heavy, quick to anger, from Boston
Federalist-style of dress almost seemed “kingly”
Did not accept criticism of his ideas
Not really a good administrator who can manage / balance his staff

8. POLITICAL ISSUES
Growth of SECTIONALISM where the interests of a region become more important to a person than those of the country as a whole
Disagreement over the level of American involvement in the French Revolution
Growth of power of the national (central) government worried states-rights advocates

9. X-Y-Z AFFAIR
Adams sent three ministers to France to discuss problems of Jay’s Treaty and French anger at the U.S. (relations with England)
The French government sent three low-level officials to meet with the U.S. representatives
The ministers demanded a bribe of $250,000 before the U.S. could meet with French foreign minister Talleyrand
Americans refused to pay bribe
French foreign minister Talleyrand

10. In his report to Congress, Adams called the French officials “X”, “Y”, “Z”
Insult to U.S. diplomats led to anti-French anger and slogan “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute”

11. CONVENTION OF 1800
France, especially Napoleon Bonaparte, wanted to avoid starting an official war with the U.S.
Adams sent a new envoy to France to discuss problems in West Indies
Agreement signed that annulled the Revolutionary -era defense treaty between the U.S. and France
Called Treaty of Mortfontaine

12. CONVENTION OF 1800
U.S. agreed to pay off any damage claims that U.S. merchants had made against France
Adams ensured the U.S. would not be at war with France or become involved in the European wars
Probably opened the way for the future Louisiana Purchase agreement
But, many in his own party opposed the treaty

13. ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS
Vicious attacks against the Adams government made it difficult to complete normal business
Many worried about revolution or complete disruption of the federal government due to criticisms
Federalists in Congress used anti-French feelings to create a set of laws to control what they believed were threats to the government
SEDITION ACT
Law that set fines and jail terms for anyone “hindering the operation of the government” or expressing “false, scandalous, and malicious statements”
PROBLEM: Many Democratic-Republican opponents were jailed, including newspaper editors, publishers, politicians

14. ALIEN AND SEDITION LAWS
Many Federalists felt that these new ideas / criticisms came from the newer immigrants, especially ones from Germany
So, try to find a way to control immigration and contain the amount of new ideas coming into the country from “non-Americans”
ALIEN ACTS
Three laws that:
(a) raised requirement of American citizenship from 5 to 14 years
(b) allowed the President to deport any alien who was “undesirable”
(c) allowed President to jail any alien who was “undesirable”

15. VIRGINIA AND KENTUCKY RESOLUTIONS
Opponents argued the laws were a violation of free speech / First Amendment
Jefferson and Madison believed the acts were a misuse of federal power
Each wrote resolutions for states of Virginia and Kentucky
Principle of NULLIFICATION = states have a right to nullify / ignore any act of Congress that the state decides is unconstitutional
Threatened concept of check and balance and supremacy of federal law because it tried to give states the ability to ignore any federal law when they wanted