JOHN ADAMS = 2nd President
• Washington was President from 1789-1797
• John Adams wins the 2nd Presidential election
and will serve from 1797-1801
• What do we already know about him?
John Adams takes office
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqAt8A0
W204
The French and the Americans
1789-1799
Washington’s Foreign Policy
• What was Washington’s view?
• Stay out of it! (Neutral = take no side in a
conflict)
• Angers Jefferson who supported the French
• British and French continue seizing American
ships – by this point Adams is president and
has to do something about it!
XYZ Affair
• French send 3 agents (known as X,Y,Z) to
offer Americans a deal, but they want
$$$ in order to engage in talks
AKA : BRIBERY!
• Americans furious
• Adams chooses to strengthen Navy by
building frigates (fast moving ships with
guns) to better protect against French
Fear of France
and criticism at
home led Adams
and the
Federalist
Congress to pass
the Alien and
Sedition Acts
There were actually four separate laws making up what is commonly referred to as the
"Alien and Sedition Acts“
The Naturalization Act (officially An Act to Establish a Uniform Rule of Naturalization)
extended the duration of residence required for aliens to become citizens to 14 years.
Enacted June 18, 1798, with no expiration date, it was repealed in 1802.
The Alien Friends Act (officially An Act Concerning Aliens) authorized the president to
deport any resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United
States." It was enacted June 25, 1798, with a two year expiration date.
The Alien Enemies Act (officially An Act Respecting Alien Enemies) authorized the
president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war
with the United States of America. Enacted July 6, 1798, and providing no sunset
provision, the act remains intact today. At the time, war was considered likely between
the U.S. and France.
The Sedition Act (officially An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the
United States) made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing"
against the government or its officials. It was enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration
date of March 3, 1801
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Gave President power to arrest or deport any
non-citizen (alien)
• Extended time to become an American citizen
(from 5 to 14 years)
• Outlawed Sedition – the stirring up of
rebellion against the government
– Citizens could be fined or jailed for criticizing the
government
– Challenge to 1st amendment (free speech and
press)
~ Madison and Jefferson pen the Kentucky and Virginia
Resolves, seeking to nullify (or cancel) the A-S acts,
claiming they were unconstitutional – (which they were!)
Do you agree with Voltaire and/or Jefferson? Why or why not?
How much power should the government have over public opinion?
A Federalist or a Democratic-Republican? Why?
"No Stamp Act, No Sedition Act,
No Alien Bills, No Land Tax,
downfall to the Tyrants of America;
peace and retirement to the President;
Long Live the Vice President,"
Words hung from a liberty pole
Massachusetts 1798
Election of 1800
• Republicans backed Jefferson for President
and Burr for VP
• Federalists supported Adams
• Electoral tie between Jefferson and Burr –
House of Representatives choose Jefferson as
President and Burr as Vice President
– 12th amendment will change this process
End of Hamilton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfeuU0NB5lg
Philip Schuyler, Hamilton's father-in-law, lost
his Senate seat to Burr
Morgan Lewis, endorsed by Hamilton,
defeated Burr in the 1804 New York
Gubernatorial election
Death of Hamilton
• Signals the decline of the Federalist party
• Despite decline, its legacy is felt – most of
Hamilton’s economic programs would
continue on (tariff, bank, bonds)
Don’t
forget
about me!!