The Presidency of John Adams Chapter 8, Section 4 (page 298)

Overview *Write down 2 facts about each of the following: XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts, and Midnight Appointments

Troubles with France: The XYZ Affair Americans had chosen neutrality in the war between Britain and France. The French =  The Jay Treaty - felt like Americans were siding with the British In 1797 Adams sent 3 commissioners to France The French government agents wanted the commissioners to pay a bribe of $250,000 and lend the French money.

War Fever – Americans Outraged! The French agents’ names were kept secret and when the bribe became public, they were nicknamed X, Y, and Z. This is why we call it the XYZ Affair. Americans were mad when they learned of the bribe and called for war with France. Two important things helped avoid war: Adams didn’t want a full-scale war. He only increased the army and rebuilt the navy. Napoleon came to power in France and was too busy to worry about issues with America.

The Alien & Sedition Acts An alien is a person who lives in the U.S. but is NOT a citizen. After the XYZ Affair, Federalists became suspicious of foreigners & radical ideas that would push them out of power. In order to destroy their political opponents, these acts were passed. Alien Act – a person had to live in the U.S. for 14 years to be a considered a citizen. President could deport any alien he considered dangerous. Sedition Act – Targeted Republicans and limited free speech. It became a crime to write or say anything bad about the President, Congress, or government. Some newspaper editors defied this law anyways.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Madison (VA) and Jefferson (KT) led the fight against the Alien and Sedition Acts. The VA and KT Resolutions said that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. They also said states had the right to declare laws unconstitutional or nullify laws. Nullify means “to take away legal force”. Idea of states rights – the Constitution is an agreement between states, meaning the states can overrule federal law.

The Republican Response: States can declare laws unconstitutional States Rights Federal Power The federal government derives its power from rights give to it by the people States have no power to nullify federal laws States cannot revoke federal powers set forth in the Constitution The federal government derives its power from the rights given to it by the states. Because the states created the U.S., individual states have the power to nullify a federal law