john adams's presidency
DESCRIPTION
1797-1801; Federalists vs. RepublicansTRANSCRIPT
Downfall of the Federalists
Pp. 175-180
Adams/Jefferson
Adams
An accomplished diplomat Peace of Paris (1783), ambassador to the Dutch
Republic & Great Britain, VP
Accused of favoring British (Jay’s Treaty was too kind)
Not a great speaker, not good at resolving conflicts, temper Some of the reasons that he served only one term
*On committee w/ Jefferson that wrote Declaration
Jefferson
Also, an est. diplomat
Sec. of State, Minister to France, Governor of VA
Declaration of Independence
Accused of being too pro-French Connected to violence of the French Revolution
Election of 1796
Now with parties in place, there was to be an election without GW as president
Jefferson/Burr vs. Adams/Pinckney Electors had 2 votes, runner-up=VP
Adams won the job, Jefferson was 2nd thus was Vice-President Jefferson used his position to attack Federalist policies *Changes w/ 12th Amendment in 1804
Many Federalists favored Thomas Pinckney of SC over Adams Showed sectional split of Federalist Party
Adams continued Hamilton’s pro-British policy
Last election that the Federalists would win
GW’s Farewell Speech
What are the key ideas/advice?
Did Americans listen to his advice?
GW’s Farewell Speech
A letter partially written by Hamilton!
Warned against international conflicts
Also against FACTIONS & overgrown military
GW’s Farewell Address
Washington warns specifically of the destructive potential of parties or causes that "now and then answer popular ends," but that over time can "become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government."
Taken from:
http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/milestones/farewell_address_about.html
Adams as President
Took over a split party
Not the most influential Federalist (Hamilton)
Republican opposition was growing stronger
Quasi War/XYZ Affair
U.S.-French relations crumble
French vessels capture American ships
Many favored war, but Hamilton convinced Adams to negotiate
1798-XYZ Affair: American diplomats bribed French to stop seizing American merchant ships by giving foreign minister a loan and bribe
Adams called his agents X, Y, and Z: cut off trade with France in 1798 and seized French ships
Quasi War/XYZ Affair
Talleyrand tried to bribe American officials before negotiating
Outrage at France’s actions
Strong support of the Federalist response Increased Federalist power in Congress in 1798
Undeclared naval war Adams had Congress cut off all trade with France Authorized American vessels to capture French ships Department of Navy created in 1798
British became an ally with U.S. Britain/France @ war @ this time
Quasi War ended in 1800 with peace in Paris
By the way, Louisiana!
By the end of the 18th century, Napoleon had grabbed the French throne and was looking westward to increase his empire. The secret Treaty of San Ildefonso between Spain and France, signed in 1800, gave the King of Spain's son-in-law power over Tuscany in trade for returning the Louisiana Territory to French control. For the Spanish, New Orleans had been a mixed blessing: Spain brought in great wealth from its expensive tariffs, but suffered from dealing with the otherwise troublesome city, which was completely waterlogged, with hordes of mosquitoes and yellow fever. Both leaders were somewhat pleased by the deal.
Setting the Scene:
An attempt by Federalists to increase their strength and eliminate Republican opposition
Remember, Washington did not favor political parties!
Alien and Sedition Acts are among most controversial legislation ever in American History!
Alien and Sedition Acts
Alien Act: Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American citizens
Gave president more power in dealing with “aliens”
Sedition Act: allowed gov’t to prosecute those who engaged in sedition against the gov’t
Laws made it possible to stop any opposition!
Action/Reaction
D-R’s saw these as a Federalist campaign to destroy them
Adams hesitated but signed them: did not deport any “aliens”, prevented gov’t from launching a major crusade vs D-R’s
How Used:
Alien Act: discouraged immigration
Encouraged foreigners already in U.S. to leave
Sedition Act: arrested and convicted 10 men, most D-R newspaper editors whose only crime had been to criticize the Federalists
Which constitutional amendment was being violated?
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
1798-1799
Jefferson wrote resolution adopted in KY legislature
Madison wrote resolution adopted in VA legislature
Used the ideas of John Locke
Said federal gov’t formed by a compact or contract among the states
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Nat’l gov’t only possessed certain delegated powers
When feds used un-delegated powers, the acts were “un-authoritative, void, and of no force”
This should give states the right to nullify the appropriate laws
Outcome
The dispute between the parties became a national one, despite the resolutions not working
Major political division in states
Violent disagreements in Congress at times
Fighting between Lyon & Griswold, see cartoon on p. 179 Spitting & hitting
More on this tomorrow…
Judiciary Act of 1801
Federalists reduced the number of S.C. justices by one
Increased the number of federal justiceships as a whole
Adams appointed Federalists to these new positions— “midnight appointments”