1. Understanding John Adams’ Presidency

3. The Federalists Strike Back
1. Election of 1796
The Federalists Strike Back

4. Election of 1796 First presidential election with political parties
Jefferson became the vice president
President and Vice-President from opposing political parties

5. MAPS
France
United States

6. 2. Foreign Policy
France is at it again

7. Foreign Policy French did not like Jay’s Treaty
1797 French navy began seizing American ships trading with Britain
Americans called for war
Adams sent diplomats to France
XYZ Affair – French foreign minister wanted a bribe

8. Foreign Policy “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”
Federalists wanted war
Adams wanted to keep the nation out of European affairs
U.S. begins to seize French Ships

9. Trouble on the Homefront
3. Domestic Policy
Trouble on the Homefront

10. 3. Domestic Policy Asked Congress to rebuild navy and triple army size
Rumors of possible French invasion by American traitors and population of French immigrants, 60,000 new Irish immigrants
Immigrants tended to support Democratic-Republicans
Alien Acts – in time of war, government can deport or imprison any foreigner thought to be “dangerous” & immigrants must wait 14 years to become U.S. citizen

11. Sedition Acts Sedition- stirring up rebellion
Sedition Act- illegal for newspapers to criticize Congress or the President. 25 newspapers jailed
Intended to silence the Democratic-Republicans

12. Domestic Policy
VP Thomas Jefferson & James Madison bitterly opposed Alien and Sedition Acts
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions to fight against Sedition Act
The basis for state’s rights theory
Did Jefferson plant a seed for succession?

13. 4. Peace
How it was solved

14. Peace
Some Federalists wanted a war with France & alliance with Britain
Napoleon Bonaparte signed agreement in 1800 that France would stop seizing American ships
Adams kept nation out of war
Showed leadership qualities
Lost Federalist’s support