John Adams's Presidency

Downfall of the Federalists

Pp. 175-180

Adams/Jefferson

Adams

An accomplished diplomat Peace of Paris (1783), ambassador to the Dutch

Republic & Great Britain, VP

Accused of favoring British (Jay’s Treaty was too kind)

Not a great speaker, not good at resolving conflicts, temper Some of the reasons that he served only one term

*On committee w/ Jefferson that wrote Declaration

Jefferson

Also, an est. diplomat

Sec. of State, Minister to France, Governor of VA

Declaration of Independence

Accused of being too pro-French Connected to violence of the French Revolution

Election of 1796

Now with parties in place, there was to be an election without GW as president

Jefferson/Burr vs. Adams/Pinckney Electors had 2 votes, runner-up=VP

Adams won the job, Jefferson was 2nd thus was Vice-President Jefferson used his position to attack Federalist policies *Changes w/ 12th Amendment in 1804

Many Federalists favored Thomas Pinckney of SC over Adams Showed sectional split of Federalist Party

Adams continued Hamilton’s pro-British policy

Last election that the Federalists would win

GW’s Farewell Speech

What are the key ideas/advice?

Did Americans listen to his advice?

GW’s Farewell Speech

A letter partially written by Hamilton!

Warned against international conflicts

Also against FACTIONS & overgrown military

GW’s Farewell Address

Washington warns specifically of the destructive potential of parties or causes that "now and then answer popular ends," but that over time can "become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government."

Taken from:

http://www.pbs.org/georgewashington/milestones/farewell_address_about.html

Adams as President

Took over a split party

Not the most influential Federalist (Hamilton)

Republican opposition was growing stronger

Quasi War/XYZ Affair

U.S.-French relations crumble

French vessels capture American ships

Many favored war, but Hamilton convinced Adams to negotiate

1798-XYZ Affair: American diplomats bribed French to stop seizing American merchant ships by giving foreign minister a loan and bribe

Adams called his agents X, Y, and Z: cut off trade with France in 1798 and seized French ships

Quasi War/XYZ Affair

Talleyrand tried to bribe American officials before negotiating

Outrage at France’s actions

Strong support of the Federalist response Increased Federalist power in Congress in 1798

Undeclared naval war Adams had Congress cut off all trade with France Authorized American vessels to capture French ships Department of Navy created in 1798

British became an ally with U.S. Britain/France @ war @ this time

Quasi War ended in 1800 with peace in Paris

By the way, Louisiana!

By the end of the 18th century, Napoleon had grabbed the French throne and was looking westward to increase his empire. The secret Treaty of San Ildefonso between Spain and France, signed in 1800, gave the King of Spain's son-in-law power over Tuscany in trade for returning the Louisiana Territory to French control. For the Spanish, New Orleans had been a mixed blessing: Spain brought in great wealth from its expensive tariffs, but suffered from dealing with the otherwise troublesome city, which was completely waterlogged, with hordes of mosquitoes and yellow fever. Both leaders were somewhat pleased by the deal.

Setting the Scene:

An attempt by Federalists to increase their strength and eliminate Republican opposition

Remember, Washington did not favor political parties!

Alien and Sedition Acts are among most controversial legislation ever in American History!

Alien and Sedition Acts

Alien Act: Placed obstacles in the way of foreigners who wished to become American citizens

Gave president more power in dealing with “aliens”

Sedition Act: allowed gov’t to prosecute those who engaged in sedition against the gov’t

Laws made it possible to stop any opposition!

Action/Reaction

D-R’s saw these as a Federalist campaign to destroy them

Adams hesitated but signed them: did not deport any “aliens”, prevented gov’t from launching a major crusade vs D-R’s

How Used:

Alien Act: discouraged immigration

Encouraged foreigners already in U.S. to leave

Sedition Act: arrested and convicted 10 men, most D-R newspaper editors whose only crime had been to criticize the Federalists

Which constitutional amendment was being violated?

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

1798-1799

Jefferson wrote resolution adopted in KY legislature

Madison wrote resolution adopted in VA legislature

Used the ideas of John Locke

Said federal gov’t formed by a compact or contract among the states

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Nat’l gov’t only possessed certain delegated powers

When feds used un-delegated powers, the acts were “un-authoritative, void, and of no force”

This should give states the right to nullify the appropriate laws

Outcome

The dispute between the parties became a national one, despite the resolutions not working

Major political division in states

Violent disagreements in Congress at times

Fighting between Lyon & Griswold, see cartoon on p. 179 Spitting & hitting

More on this tomorrow…

Judiciary Act of 1801

Federalists reduced the number of S.C. justices by one

Increased the number of federal justiceships as a whole

Adams appointed Federalists to these new positions— “midnight appointments”