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Good Ol ’ John Adams

Good Ol ’ John Adams. Sasso US I. Election of 1796. John Adams and Thomas Pinckney for the Federalists Thomas Jefferson is the main candidate for the Republicans Election has some quirks to it GW waited a long time to announce that he would not be seeking a third term

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Good Ol ’ John Adams

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  1. Good Ol’ John Adams Sasso US I

  2. Election of 1796 • John Adams and Thomas Pinckney for the Federalists • Thomas Jefferson is the main candidate for the Republicans • Election has some quirks to it • GW waited a long time to announce that he would not be seeking a third term • Did not give TJ a whole lot of time to prepare his party • Adams will defeat TJ, 71-68 • In three of the states TJ won, at least one elector gave a vote to Adams

  3. Adams • Though TJ is very popular, it’s very hard to argue with Adams’ credentials • Spent the vast majority of his life in public service • Early leader of the Revolution • Member of both Continental Congresses • Had been a foreign envoy/ambassador to France, Holland, and England • Representative at the Treaty of Paris

  4. Adams • Adams will inherit most, if not all, of GW’s problems • Foreign nations will look to take advantage of both the new president, and the shift in power • France will be issue #1 • France is very upset about neutrality and the Jay Treaty • French navy will begin to attack American ships • Adams will send Charles Pinckney as an ambassador, but France will not receive him- BIG PROBLEM

  5. XYZ Affair • Adams really wants to make peace, so he will send envoys (ambassadors) to France • Envoys approached by 3 “representatives” of PM Charles Talleyrand • Reps tell US that Talleyrand won’t even meet them unless money is paid (a bribe) • Americans immediately broke off talks

  6. XYZ Affair • French agents are referred to as Agents X, Y, Z • Event becomes explosive in America • A lot of anger and resentment is directed towards France • Adams refuses to send another ambassador to France • “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute” • As a result, Congress will create a Department of the Navy • Build up warships, who along with privateers, will begin waging an undeclared naval war against France

  7. War Fever • This is perfect for the Federalist Party • Times of war call for the strengthening of the federal government • Also makes the Federalists more popular than the generally Pro-French Republicans • Also, if war keeps going, that strengthens the Federalists chances for the Presidency in 1800 • However- Adams will not let that type of thinking affect his decision-making with regards to France • When Talleyrand offers to receive an ambassador for peace talks, Adams sends one • By the end of his term, peace will be restored, but Federalist leaders are not happy with Adams • It’s a bold move by Adams, but a bit of political suicide

  8. Adams and the Republicans • The battles with France will actually hurt the Republicans • Allows Federalists to increase majorities in Congress • Federalists will look to legislatively silence the Republican opposition • Also want to weaken the Republican voting base • Congress will pass the Naturalization Act, as well as the Alien and Sedition Acts

  9. Naturalization Act • The Naturalization Act looked to eliminate one of the Republicans voting strongholds- Immigrant groups • Targets the large influx of French and Irish immigrants coming into the country • The act will extend the residency requirements for becoming a citizen from 5 years to 14 years • Many immigrants coming to the US in the early to mid-1790’s would have been able to vote in the election of 1800 under the old system • Odds were very strong that they would have voted for Jefferson , but now they can’t

  10. Alien and Sedition Acts • Under the Alien Act, all immigrants would have to register with the federal govt. • Federal govt. also had the power to deport anyone they perceived as being “dangerous” • This is done to discourage potential immigrants from coming to America, as well as giving the govt. a HUGE power • Under the Sedition Act, the govt. was allowed to prosecute anyone who engaged in “sedition” against the govt. • Essentially, the Federalists made it a crime to speak out against the govt. (think of some of the examples from Last of the Mohicans) • This will allow the govt. to arrest several Republican leaders

  11. Alien and Sedition Acts • Although these Acts were put in place to weaken the Republicans, it only makes them stronger • Confirms their belief that the Federal govt. is too strong • Supreme Court is very limited in its power at this point, so the Republicans have to take it upon themselves to fight the Acts

  12. Jefferson • TJ doesn’t have much to do as VP, so he will do some serious work for his party • Jefferson and Madison will draft the Kentucky (TJ) and Virginia (JM) Resolutions • Both documents were drafted “anonymously” • Both documents claim that the Constitution was an agreement amongst states to establish the central govt. • If an Act of the federal govt. exceeds it’s power, state has the right to refuse to obey- nullification • The idea of secession was floated by TJ

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