1. In his “Farewell address,” Washington warned about the danger of parties.
But was anyone listening?
NO!

2. Election of 1796
Federalist John Adams vs. Democratic – Republican Thomas Jefferson

3. Which area of the country voted for Adams?
Which area of the country voted for Jefferson?
What does this show us about America in 1796?

4. President: John Adams Vice Pres.: Jefferson Electoral Votes:
Adams votes
Jefferson votes
The Constitution stated that the runner up in the presidential election would be named vice president.
Election of 1796

5. Results the President was John Adams – a FEDERALIST and
The Vice-President was Thomas Jefferson – a Democratic-Republican
This showed the danger of partisan politics

6. The XYZ Affair
The Problem:
Likely war with France – French govt. viewed Jay’s Treaty with Britain as a violation of French-American alliance.

7. The XYZ Affair Solution:
Adams sent US officials to France for a meeting with their foreign minister (Talleyrand)
French officials (X, Y, and Z) demanded the US pay $250,000 to see Talleyrand in person.
America refuses to pay

8. The XYZ Affair Americans are MAD! The French tried to extort them!
As a result, US-French tensions were at an all-time high for two years
War at sea (called the Quasi War, since it wasn’t a declared war)

9. What would Thomas Jefferson say about the XYZ Affair?

10. How would Adams respond to Jefferson’s criticism?
John Adams

11. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Adams and his administration faced constant criticism in the press for its actions.
Many of President Adams’ critics were foreign born
The Alien and Sedition Acts were intended to respond to what Adams saw as a growing threat against the government.

12. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Sedition ~ encourage people to commit treason
Alien Acts ~ allowed the president to deport or jail any ‘undesirable’ alien
Sedition Act ~ set fines and jail terms for anyone using “false, scandalous, malicious statements” against the government
Naturalization Act ~ raised requirement for US citizenship from 5 to 14 years.
first

13. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Solution:
Angry Democratic-Republicans call the acts a violation of the 1st Amendment right to Freedom of Speech

14. What would Thomas Jefferson say about the Alien and Sedition Acts?

15. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798
Outcome:
Virginia And Kentucky Resolutions (see next row)
And
Sets the stage for the election of 1800 between Adams (Federalist) and Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)

16. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Written by Jefferson and Madison
Declare Sedition Act unconstitutional
Introduces idea of nullification
States have the power to reverse federal laws that were unconstitutional.

17. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Solution: No other states join and the issues dies out by the next election

18. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Outcome:
Sets the stage for the election of between Adams (Federalist) and Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican)