Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History 1

CHAPTER 6

Adams Presidency

Election of 1796 Election of 1796 First openly contested election in U.S. Each selected at a party caucus

(meeting of party leaders) Federalist Party ticket - Vice President

John Adams of Massachusetts

Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina Former Secretary of

State Thomas Jefferson of

Virginia & Senator Aaron

Burr of New York on the

Democratic-Republican

ticket - each man from

any party ran alone Top 2 vote getters became

President & Vice

Election of 1796 Election of 1796 Unlike the previous election where

the outcome had been a foregone conclusion, Democratic-Republicans campaigned heavily for Jefferson, and Federalists campaigned heavily for Adams.

Hamilton wanted to be influential in the new gov’t and did not trust Adams – threw his support behind Pinckney almost costing Adams the race

However the sectionalism was evident – Adams received all Northern votes except PA & Jefferson won all the South

Presidents Chart Per. 3 - Google Drive (Fries)

XYZ AffairXYZ Affair The “XYZ Affair” was a diplomatic episode between the U.S.& France that became a major political scandal in its day. President John Adams sent 3

representatives from the United States to the new French Republic to negotiate with French foreign minister Charles Talleyrand. They were sent to protest the seizure 300 ships Three French agents, called X, Y and Z by

President Adams, met with the three Americans. The agents demanded a $10 million dollar loan for France, a personal bribe of $250,000 for Talleyrand, and a formal apology from President Adams for insults to France. The American delegates were outraged and replied, “Millions for defense, sir, but not one cent for tribute!”

“Cease bawling, monster!

We will not give you six-pence!”

XYZ AffairXYZ Affair Pinckney and Marshall were Federalists

- Alexander Hamilton, wanted to start a war with France and they returned to the US. Jeffersonian Republican Gerry continued meeting in secret, but with little success.

President Adams then made public the French demands. The “XYZ Affair” caused intense bitterness in the United States, and led to further problems between the countries

However it was responsible for the start of the build-up of the United States Navy. The need for naval strength became increasingly apparent, and the new US began to prepare itself.

Mr. Harrington Ch. 6 U.S. History

Quasi War - Quasi War - Presidents Chart Per. 3 - Google Drive (War)Presidents Chart Per. 3 - Google Drive (War)

XYZ Affair unleashed a wave of anti-French sentiment across the country. Congress authorized Adams to expand the navy as French privateers continued to

capture American merchant ships. On July 7, 1798, Congress rescinded all treaties with France and the US Navy was

ordered to seek out and destroy French warships and privateers operating against American commerce. Consisting of approximately thirty ships, the US Navy began patrols along the southern coast and throughout the Caribbean.

Over the next two years, American vessels posted an incredible record against enemy privateers and warship - the USS Enterprise alone captured eight privateers and liberated eleven American merchant ships

In late 1800, the independent operations of the US Navy and the British Royal Navy were able to force a reduction in the activities of French privateers and warships. This coupled with changing attitudes in the French revolutionary government, opened the door for renewed negotiations. Signed on September 30, 1800, the Treaty of Mortefontaine ended hostilities between the US and France,

The Quasi War pushed the United States into a serious debate about the nature and extent of neutrality, the limits of presidential power, and the role of the military in America.

The Alien and Sedition ActsThe Alien and Sedition Acts The Federalists passed 4 laws in the summer of 1798

known as the Alien & Sedition Acts 3 of the acts were aimed at immigrants

(who tended to vote Democratic-Republican) The Alien Enemies Act – president could deport

foreigners from countries we were at war with Alien Friends Act – President could expel any Alien

resident suspected of subversive

activities The Naturalization Act – extended residency

5-14 years for voting rights The Sedition Act (most controversial) –

federal crime to utter or print anything

“false, scandalous and malicious” 25 indicted and 10 convicted –

Matthew Lyon a Republican Congressman

The VA & KY ResolutionsThe VA & KY Resolutions The resolutions argued that the federal

government had no authority to exercise power not specifically delegated to it in the Constitution.

The Virginia Resolution (Madison) said that by enacting the Alien and Sedition Acts, Congress was exercising “a power not delegated by the Constitution.” Madison hoped that other states would register their opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts as beyond the powers given to Congress.

The Kentucky Resolutions (Jefferson) went further than Madison’s Virginia Resolution and introduced the idea of Nullification – render null and void a national law it deemed unconstitutional.

GW Death & End of Adams GW Death & End of Adams The VA & KY Resolutions did not

lead to other states to adopt resolutions however the balance of power between the states and federal government remained a controversial issue

GW had remained active throughout 1799 – corresponding with generals in preparation for a possible war with France

On December 14, 1799 GW died after catching a severe cold – this actually worked to sooth tensions between America & France

Presidents Chart Per. 3 - Google Drive

As his last act as president, Adams sought to reform the federal court system by increasing the number of district courts from three to six. Even though the reform plan (Judicial Act of 1801) had been devised before the election, implementation of the act would inevitably lead to issues

Nonetheless, he went ahead as quickly as possible to develop a nominations list for the 23 new judges (all federalists), submitting them to the Senate on December 8, 1800.

The Senate delayed confirmation actions until February 1801 and was still at work on Adams's list when the Electoral College met and named Jefferson as Adams's successor. Some confirmations had been made in February, and Adams had signed their commissions; but the Senate did not complete its work until the last day of Adams's presidency. The confirmations reached Adams late in the day of March 3, 1801 and it is these for whom Adams signed commissions—for five-year terms—during the evening before his early morning exodus for New York