FIRST POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEMTHE ADAMS ADM. 1797-1801
BY J.A.SACCO
THE FIRST POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
• Led by Washington/Hamilton
• Bankers/merchants/church
leaders
• NE/business centers
• Loose construction of constitution
• Strong central government
• Rich/educated lead nation
• Business/trade, imports &tariffs
• Pro- British
• Gov’t aim to safeguard
property/keep law and order
• Based on Hobbes
• Led by Jefferson/Madison
• Farmers/farm hands-dream of an
agrarian nation
• South/West
• Strict construction of Constitution
• Power derived from the states
• Agrarian America-rich greedy
• Land/planters important
• Pro-French
• Gov’t should allow all to take
part/aim is to protect liberty
• Based on Locke
THE ELECTION OF 1796
• Political parties would play a role in elections from
this point on in American politics.
Federalists
Democratic-Republicans
John Adams
Thomas
Jefferson
Thomas
Pinckney
Aaron Burr
THE ELECTION OF 1796
• Who wins the election? Why?
Adams wins general election, but electoral vote needs to be cast. Hamilton
dislikes Adams, has SC to withhold votes from Adams. This will give Pinckney
election. New England hears of this and withholds from Pinckney.
A mistake is made. Adams becomes President but Jefferson Vice-President.
 THE ADAMS ADM. 1797-1801
Why was the Adams presidency a disaster from the
start?
 Fill shoes of Washington
 Jefferson V-P from opposing party
 Adams favored strong government/people moving away
from this
 Federalist Part splitting- “High Federalists” led by Hamilton.
Hamilton challenges Adams’ authority.
 Foreign affairs too much of a challenge
 Passes Alien and Sedition Acts
The XYZ AFFAIR
Why did France view the United States as anti-French?
Federalists were pro-British
Jay Treaty
Violate Treaty of 1778
French begin to seize U.S. cargo bound for British ports. French
Refuse to receive American ambassador. Treaty needed to prevent
War with France.
The XYZ AFFAIR
Prevent war with France!
John Marshall
Elbridge Gerry
Charles Pinckney
The XYZ AFFAIR
French demands alienate the U.S.
 France demand that Adams apologize for anti-French remarks
 French Foreign Minister Tallyrand send three low level
diplomats to negotiate with the U.S. names not given
 French demand $240,000 just to talk
 Requested $12 million as a loan to France
Ambassadors return to U.S.. Americans
insulted. Becomes known as the
“XYZ Affair”.
The Quasi-War with France
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Adams creates Navy Dept.
Fortify harbors
Build warships
Strengthen Army
Fight an unofficial war with
France in the Caribbean
Trouble in the Federalist Party
High Federalists, led by Hamilton, use the XYZ Affair
and anti-French feeling to weaken DemocraticRepublican Party and end opposition. Adams
passes the Alien and Sedition Act.
The Alien and Sedition Acts
• Goal ?
1. Protect the nation from foreign influence.
2. Hurt Dem-Rep. by controlling immigration.
 Naturalization Act-5-14 years.
 Alien Act- President given power to
imprison/deport aliens considered
dangerous to American security.
 Sedition Act- permit arrest of U.S. citizens
who oppose or criticizes Pres./gov’t.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
• What would be your response to the Alien and
Sedition Acts?
Virginia Resolution- (Interposition)- Since states gave the
power to the federal gov’t, which was an agreement of
all the states (compact theory of union), the states can
intervene between themselves and the federal government.
Kentucky Resolution-(nullification)- since states created
the federal, they can declare a federal law unconstitutional
RATE THE PRESIDENT
John Adams