The Presidency of John The Presidency of John AdamsAdams1797-18011797-1801

John Adams, by John Adams, by John Singleton John Singleton Copley, 1783Copley, 1783When he entered Harvard College in When he entered Harvard College in

1751, Adams intended to prepare for the 1751, Adams intended to prepare for the ministry, but four absorbing years of ministry, but four absorbing years of study excited him about other study excited him about other intellectual and career possibilities: “I intellectual and career possibilities: “I was a mighty metaphysician, at least I was a mighty metaphysician, at least I thought myself such.” Adams also tried thought myself such.” Adams also tried his hand at being a mighty scientist, his hand at being a mighty scientist, doctor, and orator. Upon graduation he doctor, and orator. Upon graduation he became a schoolmaster but soon became a schoolmaster but soon decided to take up the law.decided to take up the law.

A Contentious A Contentious Beginning…Beginning…

• Political parties had developed into powerful Political parties had developed into powerful forces in the statesforces in the states

FederalistsFederalists– John Adams

Democratic-RepublicansDemocratic-Republicans– Thomas Jefferson

Off to a Bad StartOff to a Bad Start

• Constitution Says…Constitution Says…– Two candidates with the most votes become

President and Vice President! So…..

• President Adams and Vice President President Adams and Vice President Jefferson are from different political Jefferson are from different political partiesparties

• This is changed by Amendment XII This is changed by Amendment XII (1804) (1804)

• Predictions?Predictions?

The French Revolution The French Revolution InterferesInterferes

• American merchant ships being American merchant ships being seized by French warshipsseized by French warships– French not happy with Jay’s treaty

• Adams sends delegates to France to Adams sends delegates to France to negotiatenegotiate

• XYZ AffairXYZ Affair– French ministers (X, Y, & Z) requested bribes in order

to enter into negotiations

Public Opinion toward Public Opinion toward France ShiftsFrance Shifts

The XYZ affair - Maiden America ravaged by the FrenchThe XYZ affair - Maiden America ravaged by the French

5 members of the Directory in France

Britain looking on from on high

Rest of the world looking on

Fallout from XYZ AffairFallout from XYZ Affair

• Many Americans calling for war with Many Americans calling for war with FranceFrance– “Quasi War” against France– “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!”

• Adams feels that U.S. Army and Navy Adams feels that U.S. Army and Navy not strong enough to fight a major not strong enough to fight a major powerpower– Sends new ministers instead

• Unpopular move?Unpopular move?

Patriot above PartyPatriot above Party

• Convention of 1800Convention of 1800• Was the convention a success?Was the convention a success?

The Signing of the Treaty of Mortefontaine, September 30, 1800, by Victor Adam

Alien ActsAlien Acts

What did it do?What did it do?• Authorized the president to deport Authorized the president to deport

any aliens considered to be any aliens considered to be dangerousdangerous

• Authorized the president to detain Authorized the president to detain any enemy aliens in a time of warany enemy aliens in a time of war

Sedition ActSedition Act

What did it do?What did it do?• Makes it illegal for newspapers Makes it illegal for newspapers

to criticize the president or to criticize the president or CongressCongress

• Imposed heavy penalties for Imposed heavy penalties for editors who violated the new editors who violated the new lawlaw– Fines– Imprisonment

Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont, arrested under the Sedition Act of 1798, attacking a fellow congressman

Responses to Alien and Responses to Alien and Sedition ActsSedition Acts

Kentucky and Virginia Kentucky and Virginia ResolutionsResolutions

• Argument: Since states had entered Argument: Since states had entered into the compact (Constitution), they into the compact (Constitution), they can nullify a federal law that breaks can nullify a federal law that breaks the agreement. the agreement. “nullification” “nullification” lawslaws. .

The Crisis FadesThe Crisis Fades

• Federalists, due to the unpopularity Federalists, due to the unpopularity of these laws, lose their majority in of these laws, lose their majority in the election of 1800the election of 1800– Republicans allow the Alien and Sedition Acts to

expire or repeal parts of them– Under John Marshall, Supreme Court will establish

role as the last resort in determining if a law is constitutional

• News of a new peace with France News of a new peace with France doesn’t make it to the U.S. until after doesn’t make it to the U.S. until after the electionthe election

Judging AdamsJudging Adams

• Keeps U.S. out of war, Keeps U.S. out of war, preserves neutralitypreserves neutrality

• Strengthens the NavyStrengthens the Navy• Peaceful transfer of Peaceful transfer of

power in 1800power in 1800

• Relationship with Relationship with France damagedFrance damaged

• New taxes imposedNew taxes imposed• Party politics Party politics

become entrenchedbecome entrenched

Dislike for the Federalist Congress and the Alien Dislike for the Federalist Congress and the Alien and Sedition Acts cost Adams his reelection and and Sedition Acts cost Adams his reelection and

gave control of Congress to the Republicans. gave control of Congress to the Republicans. But in weighing his presidency, we have to But in weighing his presidency, we have to

consider the negative along with the positive:consider the negative along with the positive: