1. FEDERALIST ERA
John ADAMS
Our 2nd President
NOTES Page 14

2. I. PARTIES DEVELOP
-Hamilton and Jefferson had opposing views of government
-Federalists- led by Hamilton
-supported strong Nat’l Gov’t
- Loose Interpretation of the Constitution
-NE businessmen / merchants – wealthy, educated
-Democratic-Republicans- led by Jefferson and Madison
-supported limited role of Gov’t
- Strict Interpretation of the Constitution
- southerners
-yeoman farmers

3. Adams elected President Jefferson elected V.P.
II. ADAMS IS ELECTED
-1796 election
Federalist: John Adams & Thomas Pinckney
Dem-Republicans: T. Jefferson & Aaron Burr
Constitution – says the top 2 candidates w/ the most electoral votes will become Pres. and VP.
Adams elected President
Jefferson elected V.P.

4. VP: Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson
President: Federalist John Adams
II. ADAMS IS ELECTED
-1796 election
Adams elected President
Jefferson elected V.P.
-They were from different political parties
*This election highlighted the growing danger of sectionalism
-This problem fixed by 12th Amendment – both the Pres. And VP will run on the same ticket
VP: Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson

5. -U.S (John Adams) sends ambassadors to France to patch relations
III. XYZ AFFAIR
-Neutrality strained relations with France and Britain- The French are seizing American Ships bound for Britain. Why? They see Jay’s treaty as a violation of America’s claim to neutrality
-U.S (John Adams) sends ambassadors to France to patch relations
-bribes were demanded by the French along with $250,000 just to speak
-US was outraged as story emerged
- Adams called the 3 French officials who demanded bribes, “X,Y & Z” in a letter to Congress
“Millions for Defense, but not one cent for Tribute”
*Americans seize French vessels for the next 3 years, almost creating a war.

6. -Political Parties oppose each other
III. XYZ AFFAIR
-Political Parties oppose each other
-Federalists align with British
-Dem-Republicans align with French
-nearly leads to war
-Convention of 1800 avoids war
The Convention of 1800 meant the end of any American alliance with foreign countries. The United States, influenced by the farewell address of departing President Washington, would not join an alliance with another nation for another century.

7. Remember: Federalist align with British Dem
*Remember: Federalist align with British Dem.Republicans align with French
Alien and Sedition Acts background Info:
Federalists, & Adams, believe French agents are everywhere, plotting to overthrow the Gov’t
Plus, new immigrants arrive everyday in the US, very active in the Dem. Rep. party (Mostly poor farmers)
Federalists decide the needed to stop the growing threat against the gov’t and do something to hurt the Dem. Rep. Party by passing the Alien and Sedition Acts.

8. IV. ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS
-Federalists passed laws to limit criticism of government by those sensitive to the French (Dem-Republicans) and restrict citizenship rights
-would have limited freedom of speech and allowed deportation of unpopular aliens
Raised the residence requirement for American Citizenship from 5 to 14 years
President could deport or jail any alien considered undesirable
Jail time for anyone expressing “false, scandalous and malicious statements against the Gov’t”

9. ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS Passed by the Federalists HURT the Dem. Repub.
Limited freedom of Speech
Saying bad things about your gov’t= jail time or deportation
DR=Farmers &
Immigrants

10. IV. ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS
-Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
-issued to declare the laws unconstitutional Due to the 1st Amendment
-Written by Jefferson and James Madison
-presented idea of nullification- that states had the right to nullify, or get rid of, any federal law that they considered unconstitutional.
-showed the balance of power b/w the states and Federal Gov’t was still a controversial issue.