Washington’s Farewell Address *religion and morality are necessary for a good government *avoid accumulation of debt *liberty includes responsibility *avoid foreign entanglements *don’t expect favors from nations *avoid political factions - partisanship

The Presidency of John Adams

A Contentious Beginning… Political parties had developed into powerful forces in the statesPolitical parties had developed into powerful forces in the states –States control electoral college, electors cast two votes each for President FederalistsFederalists –John Adams Democratic-RepublicansDemocratic-Republicans –Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton tries to get Pinckney elected by getting Southerners to make him their second voteAlexander Hamilton tries to get Pinckney elected by getting Southerners to make him their second vote Adams wins in the electoral college anyway, but by only three votesAdams wins in the electoral college anyway, but by only three votes –What problems do you see with this situation?

Constitution Says…Constitution Says… –Two candidates with the most votes become President and Vice President! So….. President Adams and Vice President Jefferson are from different political partiesPresident Adams and Vice President Jefferson are from different political parties This is changed by Amendment XII (1804)This is changed by Amendment XII (1804) Predictions?Predictions?

Signs of Hope It almost works at firstIt almost works at first –Adams and Jefferson have a lot of mutual respect from Revolutionary days –Adams states support for republican government, respect for French, offers Madison high position as envoy to France But Federalist cabinet (mostly Washington loyalists) protests and wins.But Federalist cabinet (mostly Washington loyalists) protests and wins. –Adams doesn’t take control of Cabinet until last year of his presidency Beginning of the end of support for AdamsBeginning of the end of support for Adams

Conflict with France   As soon as Adams took office, he faced the conflict with France.   The French did not like Jay’s Treaty and began to seize American ships in the West Indies just like the British had done.   To avoid war, Adams sent diplomats to France.

XYZ Affair   The French in return sent diplomats to America.   XYZ Affair-French attempt to make the United States pay money before discussing French seizure of neutral American ships.   Adams told Congress about the proposal but did not name the agents, instead he called them X,Y, and Z.   After this, the people were outraged and demanded war with France but Adams refused and wanted to keep the U.S. out of foreign affairs.  As a result he built frigates – fast-sailing ships with many guns- to convince France to stop attacking.

Federalist Split Federalists, led by Hamilton, criticized Adams because they wanted a war. –This would weaken the Republicans, who supported France. –Plus, a war would lead to a build up of the military which would increase federal power and was a key goal of the Federalists. Adams resisted pressure for war and instead sent diplomats. –The diplomats met the new leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, who wanted to wage war in Europe. –He wanted nothing to do with a war with the United States and agreed to stop seizing American ships.

Public Opinion toward France Shifts The XYZ affair - Maiden America ravaged by the French 5 members of the Directory in France Britain looking on from on high Rest of the world looking on

Fallout from XYZ Affair Many Americans calling for war with FranceMany Americans calling for war with France –Hamilton, others thought U.S. could gain land –“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Adams feels that U.S. Army and Navy not strong enough to fight a major powerAdams feels that U.S. Army and Navy not strong enough to fight a major power –Sends new ministers instead Unpopular move, but was it the right move?Unpopular move, but was it the right move?

Federalists take control Public anger with France strengthens Federalists in congressPublic anger with France strengthens Federalists in congress –Win majority of both houses in 1798 –Enacted laws that were restrictive to Democratic- Republican rivals What did Washington warn about again?What did Washington warn about again?

Naturalization Act What did it do? Increases from five to fourteen number of years required to qualify for U.S. citizenshipIncreases from five to fourteen number of years required to qualify for U.S. citizenship Why would it favor the Federalists?

Alien Acts What did it do? Authorized the president to deport any aliens considered to be dangerousAuthorized the president to deport any aliens considered to be dangerous Authorized the president to detain any enemy aliens in a time of warAuthorized the president to detain any enemy aliens in a time of war Why would it favor the Federalists?

Sedition Act What did it do? Makes it illegal for newspapers to criticize the president or CongressMakes it illegal for newspapers to criticize the president or Congress Imposed heavy penalties for editors who violated the new lawImposed heavy penalties for editors who violated the new law –Fines –Imprisonment Why would it favor the Federalists? Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont, arrested under the Sedition Act of 1798, attacking a fellow congressman

Responses to Alien and Sedition Acts Republicans say that they violate First AmendmentRepublicans say that they violate First Amendment –Judicial Review not yet established, so no Supreme Court case Kentucky and Virginia ResolutionsKentucky and Virginia Resolutions –Written, respectively, by Jefferson and Madison Argument: Since states had entered into the compact (Constitution), they can nullify a federal law that breaks the agreement. They try to get other state legislatures enact “nullification” laws. They didn’t.Argument: Since states had entered into the compact (Constitution), they can nullify a federal law that breaks the agreement. They try to get other state legislatures enact “nullification” laws. They didn’t.

The Crisis Fades Federalists, due to the unpopularity of these laws, lose their majority in the election of 1800Federalists, due to the unpopularity of these laws, lose their majority in the election of 1800 –Republicans allow the Alien and Sedition Acts to expire or repeal parts of them –Under John Marshall, Supreme Court will establish role as the last resort in determining if a law is constitutional News of a new peace with France doesn’t make it to the U.S. until after the electionNews of a new peace with France doesn’t make it to the U.S. until after the election

Judging Adams Keeps U.S. out of war, preserves neutralityKeeps U.S. out of war, preserves neutrality Strengthens the NavyStrengthens the Navy Peaceful transfer of power in 1800Peaceful transfer of power in 1800 Relationship with France damaged New taxes imposed Party politics become entrenched Dislike for the Federalist Congress and the Alien and Sedition Acts cost Adams his reelection and gave control of Congress to the Republicans. But in weighing his presidency, we have to consider the negative along with the positive:

Question 1 The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argued that the right to determine the constitutionality of a law passed by Congress rested inThe Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argued that the right to determine the constitutionality of a law passed by Congress rested in A.Congress.A.Congress. B.the states.B.the states. C.the President.C.the President. D.the Supreme Court.D.the Supreme Court. E.the vote of the common people.

Question 2 The XYZ Affair resulted inThe XYZ Affair resulted in A.the growth of pro-French sentiment inA.the growth of pro-French sentiment in the United States. the United States. B.a formal alliance between Great BritainB.a formal alliance between Great Britain and the United States. and the United States. C.an undeclared war between the United States and France.C.an undeclared war between the United States and France. D.embarrassment for President Adams.D.embarrassment for President Adams. E.a new alliance with France against Great Britain.E.a new alliance with France against Great Britain.