1. John Adams’s Presidency
Chapter 6 – Section 4
Pgs
CA 8.3.4

2. Objectives:
Students will learn that the development of political parties in the U.S. added to differing ideas about the role of gov.
So we can understand that political parties continue to have a strong influence on U.S. politics today.
We will know we understand it when we can identify the differences between the two political parties of the late 1700s.

3. The Election of 1796 More than one candidate ran for president
Political parties help elect people & shape policies
Began during Washington’s presidency
The rise of political parties created competition in the election of 1796

4. Federalist Party Quick Facts: Started by Hamilton Strong central gov.
Supported industry (manufacturing) & trade
Selected John Adams & Thomas Pickney as candidates for president

5. Democratic-Republican Party
Quick Facts:
Started by Jefferson & Madison
Members called Republicans (not related to modern-day republicans)
Wanted to limit gov. power
Jefferson & Aaron Burr chosen as candidates

6. Political Parties & Regions
Business people in cities…mostly Federalist
Rural farmers…mostly Democratic-Republican
Mostly attacked each other
Federalists called Royalists
Republicans said to favor French

7. Adams defeats Jefferson
At the time, the candidate who came in 2nd became the vice president
John Adams = 2nd President of U.S.
Thomas Jefferson = Vice President
These 2 men who fought each other, now had to work together

8. A New President Pres. Adams had a difficult job ahead of him
Before presidency…
Patriot during the Revolution
Foreign diplomat
Everyone loved Washington, he had to win over the people

9. The United States & France
After the issues with France, Adams sent U.S. diplomats to Paris to smooth over the conflict and to negotiate a treaty to protect U.S. shipping

10. French foreign minister would not meet with diplomats.
3 French agents met instead and said a treaty could be reached if…
The diplomats paid a bride of $250,000
Loan of $12 million given to French gov.

11. Diplomats refused and Adams shared info with Congress in 1798
Federalists in Congress called for war with France
This situation became known as the XYZ Affair

12. Preparations for War Adams asked Congress for: Congress approved
Increase navy fleet to 30 ships
Keep a peacetime army
Congress approved
Adams did not want to war ($$$)
Never asked Congress to declare war
Reopened peace talks

13. Peace Efforts
Federalists were upset with Adams’s choice to not go to war
American & French ships began fighting in the Caribbean
Adams finally reaches peace with a treaty
Forces 2 members of his cabinet to resign for trying to block peace efforts

14. Alien & Sedition Acts
Federalists & Republicans continue to argue & gossip
Federalists control Congress
Pass 4 laws known as the Alien & sedition Acts in 1798
Federalists said it was to “protect” the U.S.
Sedition Act: forbade anyone from publishing or voicing criticism of the fed. Gov. (freedom of speech???)

15. Jefferson & Madison viewed these acts as misuse of gov. power
Worked at the state level to attack
Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions
Found that the Alien & Sedition Acts were unconstitutional
Showed that states could challenge the fed. gov.

16. Checking for Understanding

17. Democratic-Republican Party
Directions: Use the charts to identify the differences between the two political parties that emerged in the late 1700s.
Federalist Party
Democratic-Republican Party

18. Democratic-Republican Party
Federalist Party
Democratic-Republican Party
1. Strong central gov.
1. Limits federal gov. power
2. Supported industry & trade
2. farmers
3. Supported war w/ France
3. Sympathized w/ France
4. Alien and Sedition Acts
4. Alien & Sedition Acts unconstitutional
Kentucky & Virginia Resolution