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President John Adams. 1797-1801. XYZ Affair. America is on the verge of war with France. During negotiation, French agents X, Y, and Z asked for a bribe from American diplomats. So as not to outrage Americans and increase cries for war, Adams kept the incident secret.
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President John Adams 1797-1801
XYZ Affair • America is on the verge of war with France. • During negotiation, French agents X, Y, and Z asked for a bribe from American diplomats. • So as not to outrage Americans and increase cries for war, Adams kept the incident secret. • Dem-Reps thought Adams was keeping the incident secret because it was favorable to the French • Finally, Adams revealed the whole story, provoking undeclared war for two years.
Father of the Navy • Adams fosters America’s navy to fight the French
Adams’ “mistake of my life” • Alien Act • Raised residence requirement for American citizenship from 5 to 14 years • Allowed president to jail or deport any alien deemed undesirable
Adams’ “mistake of my life” • Sedition Act • Set fines and jail terms for anyone who said or wrote anything bad about the government.
Nullification • Jefferson and Madison thought Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional • They convinced Kentucky and Virginia to pass nullification acts. • Nullification: States have a right to ignore any act of Congress they deem unconstitutional
Election of 1800 • Jefferson crushed Adams! • South voted for Jefferson, north voted for Adams • But Aaron Burr tied Jefferson
Election of 1800 • Ties go to House of Representatives • After 35 ballots, all ties, Hamilton convinced Federalists to throw the election to Jefferson
The Midnight Appointments • Before leaving office, Adams appointed many Federalist judges • But there was not enough time to deliver official appointment papers to all appointees. • Major supreme court decision: Marbury vs. Madison