This Week:
Elections of 1796 – 1800: Federalist
and Republicans
Quiz on Wednesday
Constitutional Convention
Presentations
Today
- French Revolution
- Election of 1796
- John Adam’s Presidency
- DBQ
French Revolution (1789-1799)
• Period of Social and Political Upheaval
• Inspired by similar ideals of Life, Liberty, and
Pursuit of happiness… and massive war debt
 In 1792 a Republic was proclaimed and Louis the XVI is
executed
 Europe goes to war with France (why?)
 Radicalization led to the rise of the Jacobins and the
‘Reign of Terror’ (16,000 – 40,000) people were
executed 1793-1794
 1795 an ineffective
national Directory
takes control
 1799 Further
instability leads to a
Coup by Napoleon
How does the French Revolution relate
to the US?
• Revolutionary France goes to war with
European Powers in 1792 (Washington’s is a
stance of Neutrality)
• Citizen Genet (ambassador to the US)
controversially tries to muster support for the
French Revolution.
• Was a global event that scared every
government including the United States.
Election of 1796
• 1796 was the first multi-party election in
American history.
• The top Nominees: Thomas Jefferson
(Democratic-Republican) with his running
mate, Aaron Burr, and John Adams (Federalist)
with his running mate, Thomas Pinckney
• A transition of power from the first president,
Campaign Issues
• The most important issues of the 1796
election were the French Revolution and the
Jay Treaty
• Jefferson was against the Jay Treaty because it
favored the British over the French and Adams
opposed the French Revolution.
• Adams won by 3 votes and Jefferson
automatically became vice president.
John Adams’ Administration 17971801
• Adams was a brilliant lawyer and statesman
but too uncompromising to be an effective
politician.
• Had to serve as a Federalist president with a
Republican Vice-President
• Awkward:
Main Issues During the Adams
Administration
• The XYZ affair and Quasi-war with France
• The Alien and Sedition Acts
• The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
XYZ Affair and Quasi War
• XYZ Affair, American delegates were sent to
France to try and persuade the French to stop
harassing American Shipping.
• Rise of Nationalism: “Millions for defense, not
one cent for tribute.”
• Quasi-War: Moved Adams to suspend all trade
with France and American Captains were
authorized to attack and Capture French
Hamilton is at it Again
• Federalists began building up the army
– Ostensible purpose: repel French invasion
– Actual intention: stifle internal opposition
• Hamilton commanded army, controlled
officers
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Elections in 1798 had increased Federalist
majority in both houses of congress
• Alien Act: made it difficult for immigrants
trying to obtain citizenship
• Sedition Act: Widened the powers of the
Adams administration to muzzle newspaper
critics.
• Both bills were aimed at actual or potential
Republican opposition, a number of editors
were imprisoned.
DBQ TIME
• In groups read the passages provided.
• Answer each question thoroughly with 4
sentences minimum.
• One copy turned in per group (5 pts).
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
• Republicans saw Alien and Sedition Acts as
dire threat to liberty
• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions - states
have the right to nullify federal law under
certain circumstances (States’ Rights)
– Jefferson’s Kentucky Resolutions—states may
nullify unconstitutional federal law
– Madison’s Virginia Resolutions—urged states to
protect their citizens
Purpose of Resolutions
• Clarify differences between Republicans and
Federalists, not justify secession
John Adams Success
•
•
•
•
1799—Adams broke with Hamilton
Sent new team to negotiate with France
War hysteria against France vanished
U.S. resolves – United States resolved its
differences with France
• Hamilton’s army seen as a useless expense