Chapter 7: Section 4

Chapter 7: Section 4

John Adam's Presidency

Main Ideas:

• The rise of political parties created competition in the election of 1796.

• The XYZ affair caused problems for President John Adams.

• Controversy broke out over the Alien and Sedition Acts.

• The development of political parties in the United States contributed to differing ideas about the role of the federal government

The Election of 1796

• This is the first time more than one candidate ran for president.

• Political parties: groups that help elect people and shape policies

• Federalist Party: wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and trade.

• Federalists: John Adams and Thomas Pinckney

• Democratic-Republican Party: (Republicans) wanted to limit the federal government's powers.

• D-R candidates: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

The Election of 1796

• Party differences were based partly on where and how people lived.

• Federalists: North

• Democratic-Republicans: South

• Republicans accused Adams of being a royalist

• Federalists accused the Republicans of favoring the French.

• Adams became president and Jefferson became VP.

The New President

• Adams had a tough job following beloved president Washington and had to win the peoples trust.

• Most saw him as a cold distant person but respected him for all he did in the revolution.

The United States and France

• Adams first goal as president: improve relations with France.

• Adams sent diplomats to Paris to smooth things over and negotiate a treaty to protect U.S. shipping.

• French foreign minister refused to meet with the diplomats instead 3 French agents showed up.

The United States and France

• French agents said Minister Talleyrand would only discuss a treaty in exchange for $250,000 (a bribe).

• March 1798: President Adams told Congress the peace-seeking mission failed and named the agents X Y and Z.

• The XYZ Affair outraged the American public .

Preparations for War

• Adams asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet of more than 30 ships and put a peacetime army in place.

• He did not want to go to war so Adams tried to reopen peace talks with France.

Peace Efforts

• Adams decision not to declare war stunned Federalists.

• American and French ships began fighting each other in the Caribbean.

• Adams sent agents to France to engage in talks to try to end the fighting.

• A treaty was signed and Adams forced 2 members of his cabinet to resign for trying tot block his peace efforts.

The Alien and Sedition Acts

• 1798: Federalist controlled congress passed the four laws known together as the Alien and Sedition Acts.

• Intended to crush opposition to war.

• Sedition Act: forbade anyone fro publishing or voicing criticism of the federal government.

• Jefferson and Madison viewed these acts as a misuse of the government's power.

• Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions: argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional and interfered with state government.

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

• Did not have to force of a national law, but they supported the idea that states could challenge the federal government.