The Election of John Adams and Its Consequences

The video discusses the 1796 U.S. presidential election, the first contested election after George Washington's retirement. John Adams, representing the Federalists, and Thomas Jefferson, from the Democratic-Republicans, were the main candidates. The election highlighted the division between pro-British Federalists and pro-French Democratic-Republicans. Adams won with 71 electoral votes to Jefferson's 68, leading to a presidency with a vice president from the opposing party. Adams continued Washington's neutrality policy, which angered France, leading to maritime conflicts. The U.S. was initially unable to respond due to a decommissioned navy, but the Naval Act of 1794 eventually authorized new warships.

Who were the main candidates in the 1796 presidential election?

• James Madison and John Adams

• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

• John Adams and Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington and John Adams

Which party was pro-British and favored a strong central government?

• Whigs

• Anti-Federalists

• Federalists

• Democratic-Republicans

What was the geographic outcome of the 1796 election?

• Jefferson won the North, Adams won the South

• Adams won the South, Jefferson won the North

• Jefferson won the North and Pennsylvania, Adams won the South

• Adams won the North, Jefferson won the South and Pennsylvania

What was a significant issue with having Adams as president and Jefferson as vice president?

• They were from the same political party

• They had similar political views

• They were from opposing political parties

• They both supported the French

What policy did Adams continue from Washington's presidency?

• Neutrality in the war between England and France

• Pro-French policy

• Isolationism

• Pro-British policy

What action did the French take against American merchant ships in 1796?

• They provided protection

• They ignored them

• They captured over 300 ships

• They traded with them

Why was the United States unable to respond to French aggression?

• Lack of funds

• Decommissioned navy

• Lack of a standing army

• Political indecision

What did the Naval Act of 1794 authorize?

• The building of six warships

• The decommissioning of the navy

• The expansion of the army

• The construction of forts

When did the first warships authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 go to sea?

• 1796

• 1797

• 1795

• 1794

What will be discussed in the next session?

• The policies of Thomas Jefferson

• The rising tensions with France during the Adams administration

• The election of 1800

• The development of the U.S. Navy