1. Chapter 8 Launching a New Nation 1789-1800 Section 4: The Presidency of John Adams
LEQ:
What issues with foreign nations were not resolved after the American Revolution?
How did the idea of States’ Rights affect the relationship between the States and the Federal government?

2. What you will do
Discuss the reasons for tension between the United States and France.
Describe the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Explain the how controversy arose over states’ rights.

3. What you will Know
Alien XYZ Affair Sedition Nullify States’ rights

4. Background Knowledge
In the last section: The new troubles facing the United States and how Washington’s stance on foreign affairs. In this section: How John Adams struggled to reduce the country’s divisions and maintain neutrality in foreign affairs

5. Troubles with France The second President of the United States
John Adams (Federalist)
First order of business
France
France was angry over America’s neutrality in the war between Britain and France
Why?
France was the key to America’s victory in the American Revolutionary War
France had hoped America would help against Britain
Jay Treaty

6. Troubles with France
In your HRT groups, read about the XYZ Affair and War Fever; answer the following questions.
Describe the XYZ Affair.
What did the XYZ Affair cause in the United States? What was the result? Explain.
Describe what happened between the years of ?
How did Adams avoid war with France?
Read the political cartoon “ The Five-Headed Monster” on page Answer the questions.
5. What does the five-headed creature want?
6. What country do you think the cartoonist is from? Why?

7. The Alien and Sedition Acts
Federalists’ fear of Revolutionary France caused…
Mistrust of immigrants
Why?
Federalists feared…
Dangerous ideas
Support for the Democratic Republicans
Outcome…
A series of laws to restore order

8. The Alien and Sedition Acts
To destroy their political opponents the Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798
Alien Act
Targeted immigrants
An outsider or someone from another country
What the Alien Act did…
Increased the time it takes to become a U.S. citizen from 5 to 14 years
President gained power to…
Deport or imprison any alien considered dangerous

9. The Alien and Sedition Acts
Targeted Democratic Republicans
What is sedition?
Activity designed to overthrow a government
What the Sedition Act did…
It was a crime to…
Write or say anything insulting or anything false about the President, Congress, or the government

10. Think-pair-Share Independently answer the following questions.
Why did the Federalists want to increase the length of time to 14 years before a person could be an American citizen? (what right are they trying to take away or eliminate?)
What amendment did the Sedition Act Violate? Why?
How would you feel if the United States government reinstated the Sedition Act under the idea of “Public Safety”? Explain (1 or more paragraphs 5-7 sentences each paragraph)

11. States’ Rights
In your HRT groups, read about States’ Rights and answer the following questions.
What amendment did the Sedition Act violate?
What problem did the Republicans encounter while opposing the Sedition Act?
What did the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions state?
Explain States’ Rights.
Define nullify.

12. Checks on Learning
Explain why France was angry with America during Adams’ presidency.
Explain the XYZ Affair and the reaction in America.
What law did the Federalists pass targeting immigrants? What are the characteristics of this law?
What law did the Federalists pass targeting Democratic Republicans? What are the characteristics of this law?
Summary. What did you learn from this section? Use complete sentences. Minimum of 1 paragraph (5-7 sentences)

13. Group Project
Media Campaign for or against the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Create a button, a print advertisement, and a 1 minute announcement to communicate your viewpoint.
Consider: fears, concerns, Federalists versus Democratic Republicans
Each group will have: Advertising Manager, production manager and a supply manager, and advertising consultant.