The Federalist Era

US HistoryNote Page 11

• Getting to Know President John Adams- “History Videos for Kids” Series

• Disney’s American Presidents– John Adams

Intro Video Clips

PARTIES DEVELOP

-Hamilton and Jefferson had opposing views of government

-Federalists- led by Hamilton

-supported strong Nat’l Gov’t

-NE businessmen / merchants

Nati

onal

Pow

er!

-Democratic-Republicans- led by Jefferson and Madison

-supported limited role of Gov’t

-southerners

-yeoman farmers State Power

ADAMS IS ELECTED

-1796 election

Adams elected President

Jefferson elected V.P.

-They were from different political parties

-This problem fixed by 12th Amendment

XYZ AFFAIR

-Neutrality strained relations with France and Britain

-U.S sends ambassadors to France to patch relations

-bribes were demanded by the French officials

-US was outraged as story emerged

XYZ AFFAIR

-Political Parties oppose each other

-Federalists align with British

-Dem-Republicans align with French

-nearly leads to war

-Convention of 1800

avoids war

ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS

-Federalists passed laws to limit criticism of gov’t by those sensitive to the French (Dem-Republicans) and restrict citizenship rights

-would have limited freedom of speech and allowed deportation of unpopular aliens

Only accept immigrants that would make good Americans (Protestant / White / $

preferred)

ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS

-Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

-issued to declare the laws unconstitutional

-Written by Jefferson and Madison

-presented idea of Nullification - A State gov’t can reject any federal law since fed. power derives from the states….

The EndNote Page 11