1. President John Adams 1797-1801

2. XYZ Affair 1)America is on the verge of war with France. 2)During negotiation, French agents X, Y, and Z asked for a bribe from American diplomats. 3)So as not to outrage Americans and increase cries for war, Adams kept the incident secret. 4)Dem-Reps thought Adams was keeping the incident secret because it was favorable to the French 5)Finally, Adams revealed the whole story, provoking undeclared war for two years.

3. Father of the Navy Adams fosters America’s navy to fight the French

4. Adams’ “mistake of my life” Alien Act Raised residence requirement for American citizenship from 5 to 14 years Allowed president to jail or deport any alien deemed undesirable

5. Adams’ “mistake of my life” Sedition Act Set fines and jail terms for anyone who said or wrote anything bad about the government.

6. Nullification Jefferson and Madison thought Alien and Sedition Acts unconstitutional They convinced Kentucky and Virginia to pass nullification acts. Nullification: States have a right to ignore any act of Congress they deem unconstitutional

7. Election of 1800 Jefferson crushed Adams!  South voted for Jefferson, north voted for Adams But Aaron Burr tied Jefferson

8. Election of 1800 Ties go to House of Representatives After 35 ballots, all ties, Hamilton convinced Federalists to throw the election to Jefferson

9. The Midnight Appointments Before leaving office, Adams appointed many Federalist judges But there was not enough time to deliver official appointment papers to all appointees. Major supreme court decision: Marbury vs. Madison

10. Marbury vs. Madison