WorksheetsJohn Adams' Presidency and the Federalist Era
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 9mins
What was one of the reasons for the Quasi-War with France during the presidency of John Adams?
US soldiers attacked French citizens in the French port city of Louisiana.
France refused to pay its debts to the United States.
The British and the French formed a trade alliance.
The United States refused to pay a bribe to France to restore diplomatic relations.
Although Adams’ presidency is remembered negatively, and he only serves one term, he still had many accomplishments. Which of the following is NOT one of Adams accomplishments?
The passing of the Northwest Ordinance by him and the Federalists
Creating the Navy to protect America’s overseas commercial interests
Keeping America out of a War with England & France
Peacefully turning power over to the next president, even though he lost the election
The Alien and Sedition Acts. . . .
followed the first amendment to the constitution.
said that it was legal to speak out against the government.
Shortened the period of residency required before an immigrant could become a citizen and took away the president’s powers to deport “aliens”.
prolonged the period of residency required before an immigrant could become a citizen and gave the president wide powers to deport “aliens”.
This encouraged a growing hatred of the French and president Adams warned congress that the US would not stand for such treatment and that the incident might mean war with France.
Impressment of American Soldiers
XYZ Affair
Proclamation of Neutrality
Alien and Sedition Acts
Which of the following WAS TRUE of the Alien Acts passed by the Federalists during John Adams presidency?
It granted certain rights to aliens in the Unites States
It prohibited the immigration of British citizens to the United States
It established a system for reviewing the entrance of foreign aliens to the U.S.
It allowed the president to deport or imprison aliens in the United States that were a danger to the safety of America
What was NOT significant about the election of 1796?
There was a crisis because no one wanted Alexander Hamilton to be president
A Federalist became President and a Democratic-Republican became Vice President
It was the first election in the United States in which political parties competed
There was no candidate identified as a vice presidential candidate on the ballot.
How did John Adams deal with the war between Britain and France?
by negotiating a peace with Britain
by causing the United States to invade Britain
by negotiating a peace with France
by causing the United States to invade France
The principle of________________stated that the federal government's powers should be limited to those clearly assigned to it by the Constitution, and that all other powers should be in the control of the states' governments.
Implied Powers
Federalism
States' Rights
Constitutionalism
The incident in which French agents demanded a bribe and a loan from the Americans became known as the_____________.
XYZ Affair
A to Z Affair
Nullification Crisis
Shay's Rebellion
During the XYZ Affair, the French. . .
seized American ships that carried cargo to Britain and sold them back to the United States.
sent three agents, who demanded a bribe and a loan for France from the Americans.
tried to resolve the dispute over impressment and released all American merchants.
prepared for war with the Americans, because they thought the Americans were helping the British
What was important about the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 and 1799?
They claimed that the Alien and Sedition Acts violated the Constitution and the Kentucky Resolution said states could nullify federal laws they considered unconstitutional.
They claimed that the 4th Amendment was null and void.
They claimed that tariffs would raise money for the government and protect American industries from foreign industries.
They claimed that the Court can survey new lands and townships in the Louisiana Territory.
Directions: The text below is taken from legislation that was passed during John Adams' presidency in the lead-up to war with France. Use the text to answer any questions that follow.
SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered, or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering, or publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either House of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said government, or either House of the said Congress, or the said President...then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Although its supporters would have claimed that its purpose was to promote the peace, safety, and strength of the United States as it prepared for war with France, what was the true motivation behind passage of this legislation?
to silence and weaken the Democratic-Republican Party
to trick the French into thinking Americans were opposed to war
to make it easier for French nationals to surrender to the government
to make it more difficult for Federalist members of Congress to be re-elected
What was significant about the election of 1796?
There was a crisis because no one wanted Alexander Hamilton to be president
A Federalist became President and a Democratic-Republican became Vice President
It was the first election in the United States in which political parties competed
Both B and C
Which of the following statements best summarizes the impact of the XYZ Affair on the political agenda of John Adams and the other Federalists?
After details of the incident became public, the Federalists took advantage of the national anger to build up the nation's military.
The incident inspired US sympathy for the people of France, thereby weakening public support for the Federalist war effort.
The whole incident made the Adams administration look weak, which led to public outcry against the impending war with France
Once it became clear that Adams had tried to conceal the details of the incident, the Democratic-Republicans were able to block the war.
Which of the following answer sets present a response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 and the constitutional question this response raised?
Land Act of 1800; eminent domain
Judiciary Act of 1801; judicial review
Fugitive Slave Law of 1793; states' rights
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions; nullification
