1. 2nd President of the United States of America
John Adams

2. Election of 1796
Federalist: John Adams, Thomas Pinckney
Adams: bad personality, turned people off to him ex: temperamental
Democratic-Republican: Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr
Retired from Sec. of State in 1793 due to conflicts with Hamilton
The Constitution was not prepared for parties and tickets
Vote for 2 people, #1=President, #2= VP
Changed by what amendment??

3. Hamilton’s Silent Hand
Hamilton did not like Jefferson and did not trust Adams
Published anonymous papers directed at Jefferson
Tried to get people to vote for Pinckney instead
Did not work: Adams wins
Divided Government

4. Inaugural speech: Adams declares neutrality and respect for the French
Made D-R’s happy
Kept 3 of Washington’s cabinet members
Made Federalist’s happy
Cabinet members were Hamilton loyalists and put his opinion into every discussion
Jefferson and Adams tried to be civil, but because “Hamilton” was giving Adams advice, it did not last

5. Inheritance of Trouble
France unhappy with the election of Adams – Jefferson was pro-French
France angered by US neutrality + Jay’s Treaty (U.S. & GB) = French and US troubles
French now stopping American ships and seizing their goods to Britain
Between 1796 – 98 French captured 300+ ships and $20 million of cargo
French refuse to talk with the US minister sent by Washington
Federalists wanted war, Adams wanted to negotiate
But built the military – just in case
Fall of 1797 – US send three men to France to negotiate (not received)

6. XYZ Affair
Talleyrand (French Minister) sends 3 unnamed French agents (X,Y,Z) to meet with American representatives
Demand $250,000 to even talk
Peace Treaty would cost a $12 million loan to France
US Commissioners run to tell Adams
Americans, even Democratic-Republican’s are infuriated

7. Response Adams wants: Congress decides to:
Weapons on cargo ships
Enlarge the navy while creating a separate department of the navy
Build forts to defend the harbors
Create alliances with neutral nations
Congress decides to:
Increase # of troops in army / create a reserve army
June of 1798: Congress suspends trade with France and tells the navy to capture armed French ships

8. Quasi-War of 1798-1799 Quasi: undeclared war (legally)
Fought completely on the water
Mostly in the Caribbean, 100+ French ships captured
Adams knows the US is not prepared to fully enter a war, which is why ne never asks Congress to declare war

9. Response at Home Federalists and D-R’s at each others throats
Very little chance of a French invasion of the states
The D-R’s felt that it was all a work of Hamilton’s “Silent Hand” to build the army against people who were against the government
Does Hamilton want to be second-in-command behind Washington?

10. Democratic-Republican newspapers talked trash about Adams
Adams growing more mistrusting of his cabinet, but goes with it (too politically weak to fight them)
Democratic-Republican newspapers talked trash about Adams
“Man without patriotism”
Pro-French mobs on the streets in Philly (the capital)
Adams stocked up on weapons in his presidential quarters
Federalists burned Republican news papers

11. Exit Ticket
How did Hamilton have a “Silent Hand” in the President’s Cabinet and politics?

12. Federalists attack on the Democratic-Republicans
Alien and Sedition Acts
Tensions very high
Sedition Act: made conspiracy and revolt illegal, penalized speaking or writing anything against the president or Congress
Nearly 15 men, Republican editors, were charged, 12 convicted

13. Alien: a person living in the country who is not a citizen
Alien Act 1:
Extended wait time for an alien to achieve citizenship 5 years  14 years
All aliens must register to federal government
Alien Act 2:
Gave president the power in time of war to deport or imprison without a trial of any foreigner suspected of being a danger to the US
Clear intent: harass French immigrants and discourage others from coming
Do not want their influence on our politics

14. American Response to the Alien and Sedition Acts
Republicans very upset – conflicts the Bill of Rights
Not enough votes in Congress to overrule, Federalist Court
Madison and Jefferson turn to state legislatures
Each man drafted a resolution anonymously and gave to two state legislatures to propose to the federal government
Why Anonymously?????
This act showed that state legislatures had the power to check the constitutionality of federal laws, even nullify

15. Think about this:
Write a paragraph explaining similarities and differences between the Alien and Sedition Acts and the situation with immigrants in our country today.

16. Resolutions Virginia Kentucky Interposition: Nullification:
Argued that if the federal government did something unconstitutional, the state could interpose between the federal government and the people to stop the action
Nullification:
If the federal government passed an unconstitutional law, states had the right to nullify or declare it invalid
If the federal government does something that threatens states liberty, they have the right to disregard
If federal government misuses their power, the states have the rights to nullify unconstitutional laws

17. Impact of these acts: States Rights

18. Conclusion of Adams Realizes he has been the pawn of Hamilton
Refuses to go to war with France
January 1799, France sends letter that diplomatic relations are open
End of Quasi-War
1800: “true and sincere friendship” treaty with France
Adams lost the support of the Federalists because of this and loose the re-election