CHAPTER 6SECTION 2 PART 2

ADAMS PROVOKES CRITICISM

Election of 1796: A Contest Between Opposing Parties

• Federalist Party: nominated Vice President John Adams to run for President

• Dem. Republican Party: nominated Thomas Jefferson for President

• Adams received 71 electoral votes (all from northern states)

• Jefferson received 68 electoral votes (all from southern states)

Adams Tries to Avoid War: NEUTRALITY

• France regarded Jay Treaty as a violation of US/French alliance. France began seizing US ships in retaliation.

• President Adams sent US officials to France to negotiate a solution.

• 3 French officials, X, Y, & Z demanded a bribe of $250,000 to meet with French Foreign Minister Talleyrand

• PRESIDENT ADAMS & THE FEDERALIST PARTY WERE DEEPLY INSULTED

Adams Tries to Avoid War: NEUTRALITY (continued)

• In response to the X, Y, Z Affair, congress created the Department of Navy and authorized US ships to seize French vessels

• - US & FRANCE WERE NOW ENGAGED IN AN UNDECLARED NAVAL WAR.

• - FEDERALIST PARTY: WANTED WAR WITH FRANCE

• - PRESIDENT ADAMS CONTINUED TO PUSH FOR NEUTRALITY

The Alien & Sedition Acts

• Tensions between Federalist & Dem.-Republicans were high!

• America’s large French immigrant population concerned Federalists

• members of the Democratic-Republican party (publicly bashed President Adams and the Federalist Party

• To ensure the security and safety of the United States, the Executive & Legislative branches RATIFIED the Alien & Sedition Acts.

The Alien & Sedition Acts

• ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS

• increased the number of years a person would need to live in the United States from 5 to 14 years before they can apply for citizenship.

• President could now deport/imprison any alien considered ‘undesirable’.

• President could now imprison/fine citizens who express opinions considered damaging to the US.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolution

• - The Alien & Sedition Acts trampled on the first amendment rights of American citizens.

• - Democratic-Republicans, led by James Madison & Thomas Jefferson were outraged over the ratification of the Alien & Sedition Acts and publicly denounced the Acts as UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

Virginia & Kentucky Resolution

• - Democratic-Republicans encouraged Virginia & Kentucky to write resolutions asserting the principle of NULLIFICATION. (outlaw a law)

• - The Virginia & Kentucky Resolution asserted that if a federal law or act was deemed UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a state then the state could refuse to enforce the law/act within its borders.

• - The resolutions proved that the balance of power between the federal government and state governments would remain a controversial issue!

• - The Alien & Sedition Act and the Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions would be the most contested issue in the 1800 Presidential Election.

The Death of Washington

• On December 14th, 1799 General Washington died then would be laid to rest in Mount Vernon soon after.

• - Washington death would prove to be instrumental in improving relations with France. Napoleon Bonaparte, ordered ten days of mourning to be observed in the French armies for the American leader.

• - Washington’s courage & leadership are regarded as almost super human however his renunciation of power after the Revolutionary War would prove to be one of the most revered acts in human history.