1. Election of 1796
By 1796 Americans began to divide into opposing groups and form political parties
Washington denounced political parties
“they will divide the nation”
Many Americans considered political parties harmful
“factions” were to be avoided as much as strong central government

2. Democratic-Republicans
The Parties Emerge
Federalist
Hamilton & Adams
Supported the policies of Washington administration
Rule by the wealthy
Loose interpretation of Constitution
Strong federal government
Emphasis on manufacturing
National bank
Protective tariffs
Supported Britain
Democratic-Republicans
Jefferson & Madison
Wanted to limit power of federal government
Rule by the people
Strict/literal interpretation of the Constitution
Strong state governments
Emphasis on agriculture
State banks
Free trade
Supported French

3. Views of the Constitution
Hamilton and Adams believed that the Constitution should be interpreted loosely
Used this to justify national bank
Implied powers were “absolutely necessary”
Jefferson & Madison disagreed
Believed that Constitution should be interpreted strictly

4. Election of 1796 cont.
Candidates sought office for the first time as members of a party
To prepare for the election the parties held caucuses
Federalist : John Adams (P) Thomas Pinckney (VP)
Dem-Republicans: Thomas Jefferson (P) Aaron Burr (VP)

5. Results Federalist had support in the north
Dem-Republicans support in the south
Adams= 71electoral votes
Jefferson= 68 electoral votes
Adams won presidency
Jefferson won vice presidency

6. Problems with France President Adams took office March 4, 1797
French thought Jay’s Treaty was a sign that US was helping Britain in the war between Britain and France
France began seizing US ships in route to Britain
Adams wanted to avoid going to war

7. XYZ Affair
Fall 1797 sent delegation to Paris to try and resolve the dispute
Charles de Talleyrand refused to meet with the delegates
Talleyrand sent 3 agents to the delegates and demanded a bribe and a loan
Adams was furious and referred to the agents as X, Y, Z
Adams urged Congress to prepare for war

8. Undeclared War With France
Navy department est. 1798
Army was increased
Between US & French vessels clashed a number of times
Many Dem-Rep were voted out of office in 1798 for their support of France

9. Alien & Sedition Acts
Threat of war with France made Americans suspicious of foreigners—”Aliens”
1798 Alien & Sedition Acts passed
Naturalization Act: raised the residency requirement from 5 to 14 years before they could become eligible for citizenship
Alien Act: Allowed president to imprison aliens or deport those considered dangerous
Sedition Act: Illegal to speak, write, or publish “false, scandalous, and malicious” criticisms of government

10. Reaction to Acts Opposition to Federalist Party grew
Movement to allow states to overturn federal laws grew
Discouraged immigration, some foreigners left the country
10 newspaper editors convicted for writing against the government

11. Domestic Affairs The Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
Claimed the Alien & Sedition Acts were Unconstitutional
Kentucky Resolution suggested that states nullify federal laws considered unconstitutional
Reaffirmed principle of states rights

12. Turn of the Century
As 1800 election approached Federalist urged Adams to rush to war with France
Adams declined and appointed representatives to make peace
Federalists turned against Adams
Dem-Republicans had better chance in 1800 since Federalists had chaos within their party