1. The Adams Administration

2. The Election of 1796 The Federalists turned to Washington’s Vice President, John Adams. Democratic- Republicans chose Thomas Jefferson The campaign focused heavily on personalities Adams won 71-68. Jefferson became Vice President

5. He narrowly defeated Thomas Jefferson who became his vice president. The vote was largely along regional lines with the North favoring Adams, the South favoring Jefferson. John Adams was elected President in 1796.

6. Americans were angered and insulted by this XYZ Affair and sentiment against France grew. French officials identified only as X, Y, and Z demanded bribes for the right to negotiate. Like Britain, France began seizing American ships. Adams sent envoys to negotiate. Early in his presidency, Adams faced a crisis with France.

7. The XYZ Affair

8. In 1798 Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts making it a crime to criticize the government. Immigrants, most of whom tended to favor Democratic Republicans, could be deported. The Federalists claimed the acts were necessary to stop unhealthy criticism that was undermining trust in the government. Democratic Republicans charged the acts violated the Constitution and were aimed to silence the opposition.

9. They suggested that states can “nullify” or reject unconstitutional laws. In 1798 and 1799, Jefferson and Madison attacked the Sedition Act as unconstitutional in the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions.

10. That the several states who formed that instrument (the Constitution), being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and that a nullification, by those sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts done under colour of that instrument, is the rightful remedy

11. That this commonwealth does upon the most deliberate reconsideration declare, that the said alien and sedition laws, are in their opinion, palpable violations of the said constitution -The Kentucky Resolution, Dec. 1799 (authored by Thomas Jefferson)

12. The ideas in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were similar to arguments later made by John C. Calhoun about the power of states to nullify federal laws.

13. Shortly before the 1800 election, President Adams sought peace with France. This angered other Federalists, including Alexander Hamilton who then worked against Adams’ bid for re-election. Despite a tie in the electoral college, Thomas Jefferson won the presidency.

14. Map 11-1 p204

15. The election of 1800 marked an important precedent as the first peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. The election of 1800 changed the balance of power and ended the Federalist era in government.