The Adams Presidency & Political Dissent Why is this a problem? Why is this a problem? What did the founding father’s not envision? What did the founding father’s not envision?

XYZ Affair France was upset over the Jay Treaty France was upset over the Jay Treaty Jay Treaty promoted closer trade ties between Great Britain and the U.S. Jay Treaty promoted closer trade ties between Great Britain and the U.S. Democratic-Republicans feared this would undercut republican values Democratic-Republicans feared this would undercut republican values France seize American ships carrying British goods France seize American ships carrying British goods Many Americans cry for war Many Americans cry for war

XYZ Affair President Adams send negotiators to France President Adams send negotiators to France Three French agents deny the negotiators the ability to meet with the French foreign minister Three French agents deny the negotiators the ability to meet with the French foreign minister Demanded $250,000 Demanded a $12 million loan from US

XYZ Affair US Response US Response “No, no; not a sixpence” “No, no; not a sixpence” U.S. increases military spending U.S. increases military spending “Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute” “Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute” Congress authorizes American ships to seize French vessels Congress authorizes American ships to seize French vessels Undeclared naval war Undeclared naval war

Political Dissent Democratic- Republicans accuse Adams of purposely sabotaging negotiations so he could go to war Democratic- Republicans accuse Adams of purposely sabotaging negotiations so he could go to war Federalists accuse Democratic- Republicans of being French supporting traitors Federalists accuse Democratic- Republicans of being French supporting traitors

Political Dissent “Fighting Words” “Fighting Words” “…the man who does not reprobate…the French must have a soul black enough to be fit for treason” “…the man who does not reprobate…the French must have a soul black enough to be fit for treason” If Jefferson had been president, “we should all have been sold to the French.” ~Abigail Adams If Jefferson had been president, “we should all have been sold to the French.” ~Abigail Adams

Alien & Sedition Acts Alien Acts Alien Acts President could deport resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States." President could deport resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States." extended the duration of residence required for aliens to become citizens, from five years to 14 extended the duration of residence required for aliens to become citizens, from five years to 14 authorized the president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the United States authorized the president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the United States

Alien & Sedition Acts Sedition Acts Sedition Acts Made it illegal to write, print, utter any “false, scandalous, and malicious” statements against the president Made it illegal to write, print, utter any “false, scandalous, and malicious” statements against the president anyone "opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States" could be imprisoned for up to two years anyone "opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States" could be imprisoned for up to two years

Alien & Sedition Acts Impact Impact Led to 15 indictments/10 convictions Led to 15 indictments/10 convictions Mostly Democratic-Republican newspaper editors Mostly Democratic-Republican newspaper editors One was an Irish born congressman One was an Irish born congressman Adams has a shown “a continual grasp for power” and “an unbounded thirst for…selfish avarice [ greed].” Adams has a shown “a continual grasp for power” and “an unbounded thirst for…selfish avarice [ greed].”

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions James Madison, The Virginia Resolution James Madison, The Virginia Resolution Sedition Act was unconstitutional Sedition Act was unconstitutional States had the right to protest this act States had the right to protest this act Thomas Jefferson, The Kentucky Resolution Thomas Jefferson, The Kentucky Resolution States had the authority to judge the constitutionality of federal laws States had the authority to judge the constitutionality of federal laws Nullification  states refusal to recognize a federal law Nullification  states refusal to recognize a federal law