JOHN ADAMS AS PRESIDENT

1. JOHN ADAMS AS PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS AND INTERNATIONAL PROBLEMS OF HIS PRESIDENCY

2. John Adams Presidency

3. Adams’ Presidency • Not as famous or well respected in America • Most problems: foreign affairs • XYZ Affair • War in Europe splits Federalist Party • Alien & Sedition Acts • Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions

4. XYZ Affair • After signing Jay’s Treaty-France became very angry • November 19, 1794 • United States and Great Britain signed Jay’s Treaty • Sought to settle outstanding issues between the two countries • Unpopular with the American public • Accomplish peace between the two nations. • France-started to take American ships and sailors • Adams sent an ambassador to Paris, but the French refused to see him

5. XYZ Affair • The next year, Adams sent three representatives to Paris to work out an agreement • The French foreign minister, Talleyrand, told the Americans that they could have an agreement, but only after paying him $250,000 to Talleyrand and giving a loan of $10 million to France

6. XYZ Affair • Many Americans wanted war • “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” • Adams began to build war ships (12 frigates), including the USS Constitution (“Old Ironsides”) • French were impressed with American navy and stopped taking American ships

8. High Federalists wanted war with France Led by Hamilton Felt that a war would benefit the nation & hurt Republicans who supported France Adams refused to go to war He felt that the nation was not strong enough Hamilton called Adams “unfit for a President” Adams threatened to resign, making Jefferson, a Republican, President Issue Split the Federalists

9. Convention of 1800 • Adams sent ambassadors who found a new ruler-Napoleon (who wanted to conquer Europe). • Napoleon did not want to fight the U. S. • Signed the Convention of 1800 in which France stopped seizing American ships.

10. Three Laws Anger Republicans Alien Act-Allowed the President to expel any alien (foreigner/non-citizen) for any reason. Naturalization Act-Before 1798, a white-male immigrant could become a citizen after 5 year. Under this law, the time was expanded to 14 years Sedition Act-Any citizen could be fined and/or expelled if he criticized Congress and/or the President.

11. Jefferson and Republicans React NULLIFICATION: Let States decide if a law is constitutional!!! We cannot turn to the courts, they’re controlled by Federalist Can the states can do something? These laws are unconstitutional!

12. Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions • Jefferson believed that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional • Said that states had the right to declare laws unconstitutional • “…each state has an equal right to judge for itself….” • Both states (Kt. & Va.) passed resolutions that these laws were “null and void” in each state

13. Constitutional Issue not Resolved • Alien & Sedition Acts repealed as Republicans take over Congress and eventually the Presidency

15. Election of 1800 • Ended in a tie: between two Republicans • Each elector could cast two votes • Electors who wanted Jefferson as President and Aaron Burr as Vice-President, cast their votes for each. • But, both ended up with 73 votes • Election must be decided in the House of Representatives

17. Jefferson Wins • After 35 ballots, Alexander Hamilton (a Federalists) convinced other federalists that Jefferson could be trusted but Burr could not, Jefferson was elected the third president • Burr became Vice-President • Burr, very angry with Hamilton, will challenge him to a duel in 1804. • Burr killed Hamilton, ending Burr chance for becoming President.

18. Got Milk!