John Adams’ Presidency John Adams’ Presidency

Development of Political Parties Washington “above” politics, but a federalist Federalist party emerges John Adams, Hamilton, etc Characteristics Pro industrial development Pro British Pro strong central government “Looser” interpretation of Constitution Prominent Federalists

Democratic-Republicans (D-Rs) Thomas Jefferson, Madison, etc Characteristics Pro agriculture Pro revolutionary France Pro “common” man Pro States rights (vs. strong central government) Strict interpretation of Constitution

Election of 1796 First post-Washington election John Adams (F) – 71 EV Thomas Jefferson (D-R) – 68 EV Thomas Pinckney (F) – 59 EV Aaron Burr (D-R) – 30 EV President = John Adams (F) VP = Thomas Jefferson (D-R)

President, VP From Different Parties Constitution President to be person with most EVs VP to be person with second most EVs No concept of “ticket” or pres, VP running together Founders did not anticipate rise of political parties Became big problem in Adams’ Admin. VP Jefferson Pres. Adams

John Adams Born in Massachusetts Raised a “puritan-lite” Became a lawyer Second cousins to Samuel Adams Joined patriot cause after Stamp Act Popularized argument “no taxation without representation” Young Adams Birthplace of John Adams

Adams in Europe 1777 – Adams sent to France as diplomat Sent back to Europe to negotiate peace treaty, Continued to serve as ambassador to Holland ( ), England ( ) Portrait of Treaty of Paris negotiators (British refused to pose – portrait never Finished)

Vice President Adams Came in second in election of 1788, 1792 (second of revolutionary generation, only after Washington) Washington rarely asked Adams’ opinion Adams’ main job = president of Senate His opinion on the Vice- presidency: "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived."

President Adams: Foreign Policy Continued neutrality Adams wanted to stay out of war between Britain, France Adams wanted to stay out of war between Britain, France Problem: Jay’s Treaty angered French, so they began attacking American shipping Problem: Jay’s Treaty angered French, so they began attacking American shipping Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with French (Pinckney, Gerry, Marshall) Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with French (Pinckney, Gerry, Marshall) French (in distance) bearing down on damaged American ship

John Adams: XYZ Affair Three French agents demanded $250k bribe, $12 million loan to help French fight wars and public apology just to let Americans see French foreign minister Americans went home, instead Americans (at left) facing French revolutionary demands, in US newspaper cartoon

John Adams: XYZ Affair Jefferson demanded to see reports from diplomats Released to public, changing French agents’ names to X, Y and Z Huge public outcry: “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” Token handed out during XYZ Affair

John Adams: “Quasi-War” Quasi-War: No declaration, but French, American warships attacked each other and merchant ships American negotiators offered French same terms as Jays Treaty, but French refused 1800: Adams renegotiated treaty US drops claim for damaged merchant ships France released US from alliance of 1778 Weakened US affection for French USS Constellation – active during Quasi War

John Adams: Domestic Affairs Alien-Sedition Acts (1798) Alien Friends Act Authorized the president to deport any resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States.” Aimed at French sympathizers Alien Enemies Act (still in effect) authorized the president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the United States Naturalization Act Extended the duration of residence required for aliens to become citizens to 14 years Sedition Act made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials Fight in Congress during debate over Sedition Act, 1798

The 1800 Election One of the nastiest elections ever (slander, personal attacks) Jefferson v. Adams Campaign destroyed friendship, for years Jefferson, Burr tie; election goes to Federalist House On 35 ballots, deadlocked 8 states to 8 states On 36 th ballot, Hamilton convinced other Federalists to change vote to Jefferson (Burr was personal enemy) Jefferson (D-R)73 Burr (D-R)73 J. Adams (F)65 Pinckney (F)64

1800 Election Aftermath 12 th Amendment President, VP run as a ticket Each elector casts 1 vote for a president, & 1 vote for a VP President, VP must win absolute majority of EC votes Deadlocks go to House, where each state gets one vote for any of top 3 tickets Federalists lose control of legislature, Fed bureaucracy Adams: Midnight appointments to judiciary (eventually leads to Marbury v. Madison) Boston Sentinel, 1801