1. John Adams’s Presidency
Chapter 7, Section 4
John Adams’s Presidency

2. The Election of 1796 New Era in United States Politics
More than one candidate ran for president
Political Parties
Groups that help elect people and shape policies
Began to form during George Washington’s presidency
In his farewell address, George Washington strongly advised against political parties, fearing that rivalries would weaken the federal government

3. The Election of 1796 Two Political Parties dominated the 1796 Election
Federalist Party
Founded by Alexander Hamilton
Supported a strong central government
Favored industry and trade
John Adams was not popular in the South or the West, but hoped for the support of the people after so many years of loyal public service
Democratic-Republican Party
Founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Supported states’ rights and limited federal government
Favored farming/ agriculture

5. A New President
John Adams would have to work hard to win the people’s trust
George Washington was adored by the people
At first glance, ill suited for the presidency
Even though he had been a leading Patriot during the American Revolution, a lacked Washington’s dignity
Perceived as cold, distant, and vain
Even those who opposed him respected him
Hard-working, honest, and intelligent

6. The United States and France
John Adams wanted to improve foreign relations with France
Sent United States diplomats overseas
Upon arrival, diplomats were ignored by Foreign Minister Talleyrand and instead visited by 3 French secret agents
Agents said that a treaty would only be discussed in exchange for a $250,000 bribe and a loan of $12 million
The United States diplomats refused the demands

7. The United States and France
In March of 1798, President John Adams told Congress that the peace-seeking mission had failed
Informed Congress of the French terms, substituting the letters X,Y, and Z for the names of the French Secret Agents
Federalists in Congress called for war with France
XYZ Affair
Americans were outraged at such disrespect

8. Preparations for War
President John Adams asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet of more than 30 ship and called for the United States to keep a peacetime army
Congress approved both measures
President Adams did not want to go to war with France
Worried about cost
Did not ask Congress for a declaration of war
Tried to reopen peace talks with France

9. Peace Efforts
President John Adams’s decision not to declare war stunned Federalists
John Adams stood his ground on the issue despite intense pressure from his own party
American and French ships engaged in fighting in the Caribbean
John Adams sent a representative to France and eventually, a treaty was signed
President Adams then forced two members of his cabinet to resign for trying to block his peace efforts

10. The Alien and Sedition Acts
Democratic-Republicans continued to sympathize with France
Alien and Sedition Acts
Passed by Federalist controlled Congress
4 laws said to protect the United States but really intended to crush opposition to war
Sedition Act
Controversial law which forbade anyone from publishing or voice criticism of the federal government
Violated freedom of speech and freedom of press

11. The Alien and Sedition Acts
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
Viewed acts as misuse of government power
Wrote resolutions passed by the Kentucky state legislature in 1798 and Virginia in 1799 (Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions)
Argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional
Congress did not repeal the acts, but allowed them to expire within a few years
The Resolutions supported the idea that states could challenge the federal government

12. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson
Longtime political rivals
Abigail Adams death helped the two men to reconcile
Close and personal correspondence for the remainder of their lives
Both died on July 4, 1826
Both architects of the document (the Declaration of Independence) that gave birth to this new Nation dead, 50 years to the day from the birth of the country they founded.
John Adams’s last words were “Thomas Jefferson survives”
Thomas Jefferson had died only a few hours earlier