Political Parties and the Peaceful Transition of Power

A. John Adams becomes the 2nd President of the United States John Adams (Federalists) defeats Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Republican) by the narrowest margins to become President. The runner up would become Vice President.

B. Jay Treaty causes tension with France The Jay Treaty (1795) appeared to put the US on the side of the British during the French Revolutionary Wars. France began attacking American merchant ships.

C. XYZ Affair In 1797, Adams sent 3 diplomats to France. The agents from the French government demanded the US pay a bribe of $250,000. The names of the French agents were secret so they were nicknamed Agents X,Y, and Z.

D. Adams increases the size of the Military and avoids War Federalists wanted war with France after XYZ Affair Adams had 2 requests for Congress: Increase the size of the army Rebuild the Navy and create a separate Department of the Navy

Between 1798-1800, US fought an undeclared naval war with France A US diplomat convinced France’s leader Napoleon Bonaparte to stop seizing ships, which avoided war.

E. Political Turmoil for Adams After the conflict with France, Federalists were fearful of immigrants that might try to overthrow the government. Federalists also feared that they would back the Democratic Republicans.

Congress passed two acts to restore order at home and destroy their political opponents. Alien Act-Increased length of time to become citizens from 5 to 14 years. Sedition Act-Made it a crime for anyone to say/write harsh or untrue statements about the President, Congress, or the government.

Republicans denounced the Alien and Sedition Acts as they violated the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. Judicial review was not established so the Republicans used State legislatures to oppose the laws.

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were passed declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts as unconstitutional, believing they can “nullify” or overrule federal law. No other state backed the two resolutions, but the Alien and Sedition Acts would both expire before 1802.

F. Election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson would defeat the Incumbent President John Adams. Although he tied with his running mate, the House of Representatives chose Jefferson.

It was the 1st transfer of power from one political party to the next. Important because it was a peaceful transfer of power not known around the world. “Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind….Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle….We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists.” Thomas Jefferson, 1st Inaugural Address

G. “Revolution of 1800” President Jefferson’s goals: Laissez Faire policy with the economy Reduced the size of the military and the government Limit federal government’s power over the states and its citizens

H. Marbury v. Madison William Marbury was appointed as a federal judge by outgoing President John Adams. James Madison, Jefferson’s Secretary of State, was ordered to stop all appointments. Marbury sued under the Judiciary Act of 1789 John Marshall, Chief Justice, speaking on behalf of the Supreme Court declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 as unconstitutional as the Supreme Court gets its power from the Constitution not from Congress. THIS DECISION CREATED JUDICIAL REVIEW