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The Presidency of John Adams

The Presidency of John Adams. 1797-1801 Chapter 8 Section 4. Troubles With France. Adams facing immediate crisis French angered by U.S. neutrality in the war between France and Britain Jay Treaty increased tensions with France France said the treaty put the U.S. on Britain’s side.

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The Presidency of John Adams

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  1. The Presidency of John Adams 1797-1801 Chapter 8 Section 4

  2. Troubles With France • Adams facing immediate crisis • French angered by U.S. neutrality in the war between France and Britain • Jay Treaty increased tensions with France • France said the treaty put the U.S. on Britain’s side

  3. The XYZ Affair • 1797, Adams sends three-person mission to France • French gov. demanded the U.S. pay a bribe of $250,000 and to also lend France millions of dollars • U.S. does not agree • Real names of the French agents were kept secret—they were called X, Y, and Z

  4. War Fever • XYZ Affair caused war fever in the U.S. • Many Federalists demanded Adams asks Congress to declare war on France. • Adams asked Congress to increase the size of the army and rebuild the navy. • It did both. • Adams convinced Congress to create a separate dept. of the navy • 1798-1800, U.S. fought undeclared naval war with France

  5. Adams and many Americans opposed war • To avoid war, Adams sent new mission to France • Napoleon Bonaparte, France’s dictator, busy dealing with war in Europe • Agreed to stop seizing American ships • Adams avoided war • Agreement angered Federalists party (especially Hamilton) • This weakened Adams politically

  6. 2 New Laws • Federalists decided to restore order, they must destroy political opponents • Congress passed laws in 1798 • 1. aimed at immigrants • 2. targeted Republicans

  7. Alien Act of 1798 • Directed at immigrants • Increased the duration from 5 to 14 years that a person had to live in the U.S. to become a citizen • President gained the power to deport or imprison any alien he considered dangerous

  8. Sedition Act of 1798 • Targeted Republicans • Sedition (activity designed to overthrow a government) • The harshest law limiting free speech ever passed in the U.S. • A crime for anyone to write or say anything insulting or anything false about the President, Congress, or the gov. in general • Ten people convicted under the act • Most were Republican editors and printers

  9. States Rights • Republicans said the Sedition Act violated the Constitution. • At the time, the Supreme Court did not have the power to strike down a law that is unconstitutional. • Republicans expressed their opposition through the state legislatures.

  10. Republicans James Madison & Thomas Jefferson led campaign • Virginia and Kentucky resolutions stated both the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional • Declared states could declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional • No other states supported this---little impact • Two Acts not in force for a long period of time

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