the john adams administration. adams & jefferson
TRANSCRIPT
The John Adams
Administration
Adams & Jefferson
Cabinet – Clashing Views
Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury
Democratic-
Republicans
Federalists
The First Two-Party System
Federalists Democratic-RepublicansIssueGovernment: State or national?
Interpretation of the Constitution: Strict or Loose?
Tariffs, Banks & Business or farming?
Banks: National or State?
Defense: Standing Army or Militias?
Foreign Policy: Support Britain or Support France?
Regions of Support: N, S, E, W?
Nullification
More important: Order or Liberty?
Party Leaders & Presidents
Questions1) Why does the Electoral
College encourage a two-party system rather than a multiparty system?
2) Explain how Thomas Jefferson’s election in the “revolution” of 1800 changed the way the federal (national) government operated.
National State
Two Parties
Election of 1796
A New President• John Adams• Boston Patriot• Federalist
Vice President• Thomas Jefferson• Virginian• Republican
(Democratic-Republican
• Became VP because he received second-most votes
• At odds with Adams
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair• Jay Treaty – An alliance
with Britain?• French seize 300
American ships in French harbors
• Adams sends negotiators to Paris to meet with “X, Y and Z”
• French demand $250,000 payment and $10 million loan
• "Millions for defense, sir, but not one cent for tribute!“
• Link
The Quasi War• Piracy, small naval
battles• Convention of
1800 – ends the Quasi War, but terminates US alliance with France against Britain
• U.S. is now neutral, following Washington’s farewell advice
Alien & Sedition Acts
Alien & Sedition ActsFour Bills• Naturalization Act• Alien Friends Act• Alien Enemies Act• Sedition Act
Naturalization Acts1790 1795 1798
Notice time
no notice required
3 years 5 years
Residence period
2 years 5 years 14 years
Target: potential English & Irish immigrants who would likely vote
for the Jeffersonian Republicans
Alien Friends Act• 1798• Arrest and
deportation of “dangerous” aliens
Alien Enemies Act• 1798• Arrest and
deportation of resident aliens whose home countries were at war with United States
Sedition Act
• Outlawed criticism of government officials unless the claims could be proven
First Nullification
Crisis
Nullification• Jefferson and many states
oppose the Alien & Sedition Acts
• Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions call the act “null and void”
• States vs. federal government: who wins?...
• …principle remained untested because Adams lost next election to Jefferson
John Marshall• Supreme Court• Believed that
courts, not states, should interpret and declare laws unconstitutional
Election of 1800
Election of 1800• Mudslinging
– Obama attack ad– Romney attack ad– Youtube video
Sally Hemings Controversy
Election of 1800
Election of 1800• Jefferson wins• “Revolution of
1800”… peaceful transfer of power
A Federalist Judiciary?
John Marshall• Strong
Federalist• Appointed to
Supreme Court by John Adams
• Expanded power of federal government and judicial branch
“Midnight Judges”• “Lame duck”
Federalist Congress– Judiciary Act of 1801– Adams appointed
judges in the last days of presidency
– Attempt to entrench Federalists in judicial branch
• Jefferson refused to deliver commissions