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John Adams Presidency. Picture of john Adams. John Adams . Born October 30, 1735 in Massachusetts. Known as a great patriot Aided in drafting Dec. of Independence Wrote majority of Mass. Constitution Ambassador to France and Britain Vice President under Washington 2 terms
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John Adams Presidency Picture of john Adams
John Adams • Born October 30, 1735 in Massachusetts. • Known as a great patriot • Aided in drafting Dec. of Independence • Wrote majority of Mass. Constitution • Ambassador to France and Britain • Vice President under Washington 2 terms • Elected President in 1796.
Political Refresher • Federalist - banker background/ Dutch loans - Had Hamilton’s support - well educated - support of Northerners • Thomas Jefferson as Vice President- Democratic Republican Controversy down the road?
The XYZ Affair • Recall Jays Treaty- France was unhappy about “alliance” with Britain • France begins harassing U.S. Merchant ships • Quasi War- U.S. navy patrols eastern seaboard and Caribbean from French Privateers. • several French ships destroyed or captured • Merchants safer but still at peril • Events however, did yet lead to war
XYZ Affair Continued • Adams Sends diplomats to discuss harassment of merchants • French Foreign Minister Charles De Talleyrand refuses discussion unless they get a bribe. (3 French delegates=XYZ) • Adams is upset and asks congress to prepare for a possible war. • Hamilton wants this so Democratic Republicans look bad. - Why? (France vs. Britain)
Aliens and Sedition Acts • Aliens- immigrants living in the U.S. • Sedition- activities aimed at weakening the government • In 1798 these Acts allowed for the president to banish Aliens or immigrants that were seen as a threat out of the country. • Democratic Republicans saw this as unconstitutional and as a step toward tyranny. (many immigrants were DR as well)
Can We think of any times in U.S. History this has happened? • Japanese internment • McCarthyism • Espionage Act of 1917 • Mexican border
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Jefferson and Madison think the new acts are a violation of the 1st amendment (strict interpretation/DR) • States Rights- demands the nulification (overturn) of the acts due to the fact that they were unconstitutional - 10th amendment: powers not given to the U.S. through the constitution are reserved for the states.
Can we think of any times in U.S. history were this has happened? • American Civil War- slavery • Civil Rights movement- segregation • Abortion • Gay Marriage
END OF ADAMS • Hamilton urged Adams to declare war on France to relieve pressure off of the federalist and disgrace DR. (why?) • Adams refuses and continues negotiations • 1800 treaty with France- no more attacks • War is adverted, but Hamilton and federalist no longer support Adams • Who may become the next President?
Adams Video http://www.history.com/topics/john-adams/videos#president-john-adams Deportation audio http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128111019