1. Presidency of John Adams US History Standards: SSUSH5 The student will explain specific events and key ideas that brought about the adoption and implementation of the United States Constitution. e. Explain the importance of the Presidencies of George Washington and John Adams; include the Whiskey Rebellion, non- intervention in Europe, and the development of political parties (Alexander Hamilton).

2. The Election of John Adams When George Washington decided not to run for a third term in office, Americans faced something brand new – political parties and competition for the Presidency The Federalists nominated John Adams for president and Thomas Pinckney for vice-president The Democratic-Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson for president and Aaron Burr for vice- president

3. The Election of John Adams In the election Adams received 71 electoral votes and Jefferson got 68 Because the Constitution said that the runner up should become vice-president, the country ended up with a Federalist president and a Democratic-Republican vice president (the authors of the Constitution hadn’t forseen the formation of political parties)

4. The XYZ Affair Shortly after his election, Adams had problems with the French The French saw Jay’s Treaty as a violation of the French-American alliance Adams sent government officials to Paris to try and work it out The American officials met 3 unidentified French officials referred to X, Y, Z They demanded a bribe of $250,000 and a loan to the French of $10 million before the Americans would be allowed to see the French foreign officials This was common in European affairs, but the Americans left, outraged Although war was never declared, the Americans and the French engaged in a naval war in 1798

5. Alien and Sedition Acts The Federalists took advantage of this crisis to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts through Congress This measure included an increase in the size of the army and an increase in taxes to pay for it It gives the President the authority to arrest and deport citizens of other countries living in the United States It increased the time someone needed to be living in the U.S. to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years Anyone who wrote, published, or said anything “false, scandalous, and malicious” against the government was violating this law – it was used to silence government opposition

6. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions Introduced by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison – challenged the authority of these new laws Argued states had the right to decide if a law was unconstitutional and declare it “null and void” if they did Introduces the idea of nullification

7. Adams loses support Adams tried to make peace with France in 1799, angering many Federalists This lost him much support within the party – it made the Alien and Sedition Acts look less justified John Adams

8. Election of 1800 Nasty campaign – Adams and Jefferson trade insults Jefferson won the popular vote, but did not receive a majority in the Electoral College – his main rival was his own running mate, Aaron Burr Jefferson and Burr each received 73 electoral votes Per the Constitution, the House of Representatives would break the tie – each state would get one vote Support was split down the middle, but finally on the 36 th ballot, Thomas Jefferson was elected the 3 rd President of the United States This brings about the 12 th Amendment to the Constitution – the Electoral College would now cast 2 separate votes – 1 for President, another for Vice President

10. A Peaceful Transition Jefferson was inaugurated in the still unfinished Washington, D.C. in 1801 This was important because it was a peaceful transfer of power – the Federalists stepped aside and allowed Jefferson and the Republicans take over