John Adams’sJohn Adams’sPresidencyPresidency

Chapter 7, Section 4Chapter 7, Section 4

Pages 250 - 253Pages 250 - 253

The Election of 1796The Election of 1796

The election of 1796 began a new era in U.S. politics.

For the first time, more than one candidate ran for

president.

Political parties had begun to form during Washington’s presidency.

Alexander Hamilton helped found the Federalist Party. The Federalists chose John Adams and Thomas Pinckney as candidates.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison founded the Democratic-Republican Party. They chose Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr as their candidates.

The Election of 1796The Election of 1796

Party differences were based partly on where and how

people lived.

Businesspeople in the cities tended to support the Federalists.

Farmers in more isolated areas generally favored the Democratic-Republicans.

In the end, Adams defeated Jefferson.

At the time, the person who came in second in a presidential election became vice president. So, Adams and Jefferson took office together.

President AdamsPresident Adams

John Adams did not appear to be well suited for the

presidency.

Although Adams had been a leading Patriot during the American Revolution and had later served as a foreign diplomat, he lacked Washington’s dignity, and most people saw him as a cold and distant person.

Others, even though they opposed him, respected Adams – they recognized his hard work, honesty, and intelligence.

The U.S. and FranceThe U.S. and France

One of President Adams’s goals was to improve the

relationship with France.

Adams sent diplomats to begin talks with France.

French Minister Talleyrand would not speak with these diplomats.

The diplomats were visited by a number of French agents who stated that the government would only speak to them under specific conditions.

The XYZ AffairThe XYZ Affair

The French agents told the American diplomats that

they would only discuss a treaty with the U.S. if they

were given a $250,000 payment (bribe).

President Adams reported this bribery attempt to Congress in March 1798.

Upon hearing of the agents work (Agents X, Y, and Z) the Federalists in Congress called for war against France.

The U.S. public was also outraged.

“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”

The XYZ AffairThe XYZ Affair

The French agents were:

Agent X – Jean Conrad Hottinger

Agent Y – Pierre Bellamy

Agent Z – Lucien Hauteval

Preparations for WarPreparations for War

Adams asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet

of more than 30 ships.

President Adams thought that war with France might be unavoidable and wanted to be prepared for it.

Adams also decided that the United States should maintain a peacetime army.

Although he prepared for war, Adams did not want to go to war. He thought that the U.S. could not afford it and did not ask Congress to declare war.

Peace EffortsPeace Efforts

The Federalists were stunned by Adams’s actions.

American and French ships began fighting in the Caribbean.

Adams sent more diplomats to France to negotiate an end to the fighting.

A treaty was eventually signed.

Adams forced two members of his cabinet to resign for trying to block his peace efforts.

The Alien and Sedition ActsThe Alien and Sedition Acts

In 1798 the Federalist-controlled Congress passed

laws later known as the Alien and Sedition Acts.

These laws were said to protect the United States, but Federalists intended them to crush any opposition to the war.

The Sedition Act was the most controversial. It forbade anyone from publishing or voicing criticism of the federal government.

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison viewed these acts as a misuse of the government’s power.

The Kentucky and Virginia The Kentucky and Virginia ResolutionsResolutions

Enacted at the state level, these documents argued

that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.

The main argument was that the federal government could not pass these acts because they interfered with state government.

Jefferson and Madison tried to get Congress to repeal the acts, but they did not. Instead Congress just let the acts expire (were not renewed).

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions did not have the force of national laws, but they supported the idea that states could challenge the federal government.