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The John Adams Presidency. 1797-1801. John Adams 2 nd President. Without George Washington Political Parties Exploded. Federalists and Democratic Republicans are note talking with each other Election between Thomas Jefferson—leading Democratic Republican; John Adams; and Thomas Pickney
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The John Adams Presidency 1797-1801
John Adams 2nd President • Without George Washington Political Parties Exploded. • Federalists and Democratic Republicans are note talking with each other • Election between Thomas Jefferson—leading Democratic Republican; John Adams; and Thomas Pickney • Adams earns 71 votes; Jefferson 68 and Pickney 59 • Adams does not trust his VP--Jefferson
John Adams the Man • Long record of patriotism, extensive background • Bright and capable, but stubborn and difficult to deal with • Tough act to follow in replacing Jefferson John Adams
Adams as President • Term was characterized by failure and controversy…. • Quasi-War with France (XYZ Affair) • Alien and Sedition Acts • Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • “Midnight Judges” • Positive: kept US out of war with France
The XYZ Affair Europe’s state early 1800’s • Napoleonic Wars • War between Napoleon (France) and Europe • French Revolution was in full swing • France wanted same trade rights as US had set up with Britain • Adams sent diplomatsJohn Marshall, Charles Pinckney, and Elridge Gerry to France to negotiate a trade agreement between Napoleonic France and USA
The XYZ Affair The French Insult of US Diplomats • The French diplomat sends 3 agents (called X,Y, and Z) to demand a bribe to meet with French diplomats. • Americans were insulted by this demand • Americans Wanted War with France • US Congress cuts off ALL trade with France • US announces the Navy may capture French vessels • Adams does not back done…viewed as a hero! • “We will spend millions on defense but not one cent on tributes”
Alien & Sedition Acts --War was expected between France & US due to X,Y, Z affair. --Alien and Sedition Acts were passed to keep refugees from both sides of the French Revolution who came to America from having an influence on the American government. --Strong anti-French sentiment in US at the time
Alien and Sedition Acts 1. Citizenship wait time changed from 5 to 14 years 2. All Foreigners must register with the Government 3. The President can jail/ expel anyone who threatens the safety of the US US Sedition Act: • Made it illegal to write/speak against the actions of the Gov. Results of Alien and Sedition Act: Democratic-Republicans believe that the Alien and Sedition Acts violate the First Amendment and were an invasion of states' rights.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Drafted by Jefferson (Kentucky) and Madison (Virginia). • Stated the following. 1. The Constitution was a compact between sovereign states. 2. Each state had "an equal right to judge for itself" when the Constitution had been violated. 3. IMPORTANT: A state can declare a law of Congress unconstitutional.
Results of VA and KY Resolution • Immediate impact was little, with neither state doing anything substantial. • Would set a precedent for sectionalism and the states' rights debate later. • Will lead to secession of the South in the Civil War