Presidency of John Adams

1. Presidency of John Adams • Nations first 2 presidents were chosen as the best leaders for the country! • By the 3rd election (1796) political parties had become a part of the political process • Republicans supported Jefferson farmers from the West and South • Federalists supported John Adams appealed to lawyers, merchants, ship owners and business people from the North • Adams won by 3 votes, Jefferson came in 2nd and became VP-top 2 leaders were from opposing pol. Parties.

2. Alien and Sedition Acts • At first 2 men tried to work together Party violence made cooperation useless • Federalist in Congress passed 4 controversial laws • Claimed laws were needed as protection against foreigners who might threaten the nation • Real purpose was to make life difficult for the Federalists’ rivals, the Republicans

3. Alien Acts • 3 of the laws were directed at aliens (non-citizens) • 1st Law: extended time it took to become a citizen (immigrants voted Republican) • 2nd & 3rd laws: President could deport immigrants suspected of causing trouble • Weren't really enforced, but scared some people

4. Sedition Acts • Sedition: crime of encouraging rebellion against the government • This act made sedition a crime it included printing, writing, or speaking in a malicious was against the government • Is this constitutional, what amendment does this remind you of? • Used law to punish Republican newspaper editor who insulted Adams • 25 arrested/10 convicted of seditious opinions

5. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • Republicans viewed sedition acts as an attack on free speech/press looked to states to protect these freedoms • Jefferson/Madison wrote resolutions to oppose the Alien/Sedition Acts • Argued congress had gone beyond Constitution in passing these acts • States had a duty to nullify the laws-declare them to be without legal force. • Only Virginia and Kentucky adopted the resolutions-rights not specifically given to the federal government belong to the states (states’ rights theory)

6. Election of 1800 • Republicans backed Jefferson and Aaron Burr • Jefferson wanted states’ rights/simple gov’t • Federalists backed John Adams and Charles Pinckney • Federalists preferred Hamilton: worked behind the scenes to convince men chosen for the Electoral College to cast pres. Vote for Pinckney. Hamilton wanted to personally guide the new gov’t • Adams ran on record of peace/prosperity • Campaign run on insults rather than issues

7. A Deadlock and a New Amendment • After the Electoral College voted in 1801 it was clear Adams lost, but to whom???? • Electors cast 2 votes: Most votes=President/2nd most=V.P All Republicans voted for Jefferson and Burr • Result was a tie!! • If there is a tie votes go to the H.O.R (each state has 1 vote)

8. A Deadlock and a New Amendment (cont’d) • Burr should have told his supporters to vote for Jefferson, as the party wanted • He said nothing hoping the election would go his way….after the House voted the was another TIE!!! • After 5 days and 35 ballots there was still a tie • Hamilton broke the deadlock Jefferson, he considered to be far less dangerous

9. A Deadlock and a New Amendment (cont’d) • 1804-12th Amendment added • Calls for the Electoral College to cast separate ballots for President/VP • If no pres. Candidate gets majority, the H.O.R chooses a President from the top 3 candidates • If no VP candidate get majority, the Senate chooses • Victory for the new system of government!! • Power passed hands w/o a single shot!!