1. The Presidency of John Adams
The XYZ Affair Hurts John Adams’ Presidency

2. John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
Troubles With France
The French are upset over Jay’s Treaty and continue to attack American ships
Adams tries to solve the problem by sending three diplomats to negotiate with France’s new government
John Adams, 2nd President of the United States

3. The XYZ Affair
When the American diplomats arrived in France, 3 French agents demanded a bribe from the Americans in order to meet
The event became a sensation to the American public
The French agents were kept secret and were referred to as Agents X, Y, and Z, hence XYZ Affair

4. Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s New Dictator
War Fever!
Many Americans demanded war on France after being embarrassed
Adams kept his cool and settled the problem through further negotiations with France’s new dictator: Napoleon Bonaparte
However, his own political party, the Federalists, were furious with him
Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s New Dictator

5. Alien and Sedition Acts
War fever made federalists and Jon Adams fear a revolution in the U.S, this led to a mistrust of immigrants
Federalists and Adams also sought to destroy their Republican opponents
Federalists in Congress, along with the support of John Adams, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts:
Alien Act - An immigrant had to live in U.S for 14 years to become a citizen (was previously 5)
Sedition Act - It became a crime to write anything insulting or false about the government

6. Republicans React
Republicans (led by Jefferson) encouraged state legislatures to nullify the Alien and Sedition Acts
Two states did: Virginia and Kentucky
These two resolutions had the long term effect of promoting states’ rights and allowing states to challenge the federal government (a major cause of the Civil War)