Make Haste to Wage War"We must make haste to wage war, or we shall belost. ... Something energetic and decisive must bedone soon. Congress fiddles while our Rome isburning. America ... can interdict [prohibit] Francethe ocean."

-Fisher Ames, urging war with France, 1798

~ French ship attacking an American ship

The Presidency of John AdamsObjectives• Discuss the reasons for tension between the

United States and France.

• Describe the main provisions of the Alien andSedition acts.

• Explain how controversy arose over states'rights.

\!) Reading Skill

Identify Analogies In an analogy, two pairsof items are connected with the same sort ofcomparison. For example, both pairs mightcompare synonyms, or words with similarmeanings. You must understand the comparisonbetween the first pair in order to complete thecomparison between the second pair. Somecommon types of analogies are cause-effect,antonyms, and synonyms.

Key Termsaliensedition

nullifystates' rights

298 Chapter 8 Launching a New Nation

Why It Matters John Adams succeeded Washington asPresident. He struggled to reduce the country's divisionsand to steer a neutral course in foreign policy.

Section Focus Question: How did problems with Franceintensify the split between the Federalists and Republicans?

Troubles With FranceAdams immediately faced a crisis over relations with

France. The French were angered by US. neutrality in thewar between France and Britain. France had hoped for US.support. Had not French assistance been the key to successin the American Revolution? Why didn't Americans showtheir gratitude by helping the French now?

The Jay Treaty only increased tensions with France.As theFrench saw it, the treaty put the United States on Britain's side.France reacted late in 1796by snubbing a US. diplomat. More-over, the French continued to attack American merchant ships.

The XYZ Affair In 1797,Adams sent a new three-personmission to France. Agents of the French governmentdemanded that the United States pay a bribe of $250,000.The agents also wanted the United States to lend Franceseveral million dollars.

The Americans said they would pay "not a sixpence [acoin worth six pennies]." Later, that statement led to theslogan, "Millions for defense, but not one sixpence fortribute [a forced payment]."

The bribe attempt was a sensation when it became public.Because the names of the French agents were kept secret, theywere called X, Y,and Z. The incident became known as theXYZAffair.

War Fever The XYZ Affair caused an outbreak of war fever inthe United States. Many Federalists demanded that Adams askCongress to declare war on France.

With war fever rising, Adams asked Congress to increase the sizeof the army and rebuild the navy. It did both, thus enhancing thepower of the central government. Adams also convinced Congress tocreate a separate department of the navy. Between 1798and 1800,theUnited States fought an undeclared naval war with France.

Nonetheless, the President and many other Americans opposed afull-scale war. To avoid war, Adams sent a new mission to France.Napoleon Bonaparte, France's dictator, was busy dealing with war inEurope. In 1800,he agreed to stop seizing American ships.

President Adams had avoided war. But the agreement angeredleaders of his own Federalist Party, especially the pro-BritishHamilton. This disapproval weakened Adams politically.

Still, Adams was satisfied. He told a friend that he wanted histombstone to read: "Here lies John Adams, who took upon himselfthe responsibility of peace with France in the year 1800."

~Checkpoint How did Adams settle differences with France?

J

The Alien and Sedition ActsThe war fever deepened the split between Federalists and Repub-

licans. Federalists' fear of revolutionary France spilled over into amistrust of immigrants. Federalists suspected them of bringing indangerous ideas and feared that they would back the Republicans.

The three Americanrepresentatives declare,"Cease bawling, Monster!We will not give yousixpence."

-Identify Analogies

/V The phrase war fever is an~

'''9S''-' analogy. Think about whathaving a fever does to a person'sbody. How is that similar to whatthe desire for war might do to thecountry?

The five-headedmonster representsthe Frenchgovernment.

, Skills Activity /The XYZ Affair stirred anti-French feeling inthe United States. This 1798 cartoon shows afive-headed creature demanding a bribefrom the three American representatives(at left).

(a) Explain What does the five-headedcreature want?

(b) Detect Points of View What opiniondo you think the cartoonist has of theFrench government? What evidencesupports your view?

rSection 4 The Presidency of John Adams 299

New Life for a DebatePassage of the Alien andSedition acts renewed thedebate over federal versusstate power. Jefferson andMadison wrote theKentucky and Virginiaresolutions in defense ofstates' rights. CriticalThinking: Detect Pointsof View According todefenders of states' rights in1798, what could states do ifthey disliked a federal law?

Vocabulary Builderduration (doo RAY shun) n. lengthof time

--

Arguments for Federal Power

• The federal governmentderives its power from rightsgiven to it by the Americanpeople.

• States have no power tonullify federal laws.

• States cannot revoke federalpowers set forth in theConstitution.

Arguments for States' Rights

• The federal governmentderives its power fromrights given to it by thestates.

• Because the states createdthe United States, individualstates have the power tonullify a federal law.

Trouble on the HorizonWithin 25 years of the Alien and Sedition acts, people in NewEngland and South Carolina would threaten to leave the Unionbecause they either disagreed with American foreign policy oropposed laws passed by Congress.

Federalist leaders decided that to restore order at home they mustdestroy their political opponents. Congress passed an act in 1798aimed at immigrants. Another 1798law targeted Republicans.

The act directed at immigrants was the Alien Act. An alien is anoutsider or someone from another country. The Alien Act increasedthe duration from 5 to 14 years that a person had to live in the UnitedStates to become a citizen. The President gained the power to deportor imprison any alien he considered dangerous.

The act targeting Republicans was the Sedition Act. Sedition isactivity designed to overthrow a government. The Sedition Act prob-ably was the harshest law limiting free speech ever passed in the UnitedStates. It made it a crime for anyone to write or say anything insulting oranything false about the President, Congress, or the government ingeneral. During 1798and 1799,ten people were convicted under the act.Most were Republican editors and printers.

~Checkpoint What did the Alien and Sedition acts do?

States' RightsThe Republicans denounced the Alien and Sedition acts. They

charged that the Sedition Act violated the Constitution, especially theFirst Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech.

However, the Republicans faced a problem opposing the law. Atthe time, it was not clearly established that the Supreme Court had thepower to strike down a law as unconstitutional. Because of this, theRepublicans expressed their opposition through the state legislatures.

300 Chapter 8 Launching a New Nation

RepublicansJames Madison and Thomas Jefferson,both Virginians,led the campaign. Madison wrote a resolution attacking the Alien andSedition acts. It was passed by the Virginia legislature. Jeffersonwrote asimilar resolution that was passed by the Kentucky legislature.Together, the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions stated that the Alienand Sedition acts were unconstitutional. They declared that states hadthe right to declare laws passed by Congress to be unconstitutional.

No other states supported Virginia and Kentucky, so the tworesolutions had little immediate impact. As for the Alien and Seditionacts, they were not in force for long. The law that gave the Presidentthe power to imprison or deport dangerous aliens expired after twoyears. The Sedition Act expired in 1801.The waiting period for immi-grants to become citizens was restored to five years in 1802.

However, over the long term the Virginia and Kentucky resolu-tions were far more important than the laws that provoked them. Theresolutions claimed that states could nullify-deprive of legalforce-a law passed by Congress. The resolutions also boosted theidea of states' rights. This is the idea that the union binding "theseUnited States" is an agreement between the states and that theytherefore can overrule federal law. In decades to come, a number ofstates would refuse to obey certain federal laws. States' rights wouldbecome the rallying cry for southern defenders of slavery.

t'iCheckpoint Why did the issue of states' rights arise at this time?

1\. Looking Back and Ahead You have read how theUnited States got up and running under its first two Presidents. Thenext chapter deals with the next two Presidents, Thomas Jeffersonand James Madison, and the challenges they faced.

_ ":. ~;J ''';~ -"''''. ~ n. ~.j • ~,--'_ ~ - _e> ~. ~ ~ "-YC·~l~tt:~~,:.~'~~_:

~:;;, : Yo.'., '~e~t~o~:~1·:~~ti0~frf.Y~~r~'.eliQg.~~~i~~i~i@ Reading Skill

3. Identify Analogies Explain theanalogy in this sentence: As thecall for war heated up, JohnAdams tried to be the nation'sfirefighter.

I'<

Comprehensionand Critical Thinking1. (a) Recall What problem did

President Adams face abroad?(b) Explain Problems How didAdams resolve this problem?

2. (a) Summarize Why did the Fed-eralist Congresspassthe Alien andSedition acts?(b) Analyze Cause and EffectExplain the following statement:State reaction to the Alien andSedition acts caused further ten-sion between the political parties.

Key TermsAnswer the following questions incomplete sentences that show yourunderstanding of the key terms.4. Why did Federalists mistrust

aliens?5. Why did newspaper editors

accused of sedition tend to beRepublicans?

r

r

JamesMadison

Vocabulary Builderprovoke (prah VOHK) v. to causeto anger; to excite; to causeanaction

Progress Monitoring nlineFor: Self-test with instant helpVisit: PHSchool.comWeb Code: mya-3044

6. Why did Republicans want tonullify the Alien and Seditionacts?

7. How can states' rights be used tooppose federal laws?

Writing8. Use Internet or library resources

to research the life of JohnAdams. List the principal events inhis life. Then, describe the person-ality traits he displayed as Presi-dent of the United States.Write athesis statement that could beused to introduce a biographicalessayabout Adams.

Section4 The Presidencyof John Adams 301

------

It is important to be able to tell the difference between factsand opinions when you read historical stories and narratives.A fact is something that can be proved to be true or can beobserved. An opinion is a statement that reflects a person'sfeelings, judgments, or beliefs about a subject.

This diary entry, which is historical fiction, was written by a merchant livingin colonial Philadelphia in the 17908.· .

February 28

Afterdinner tonight I finished reading today's edition of the Gazetteaf the United States. The publisher of the newspaper is John Fenno,In my opinion, he is right to. favor the Federalist leader, AlexanderHamiltan. Of course, I am a merchant and I agree with Hamilton'ssuppart of tradeand manufacturing. To. me it is a mare warthwhilepalicy than Mr. Jefferson's support af the farmers.

'I believe that I have· Hamilton alone to thank far the Natianal Bank.This Bank, established' byCangress in 1791- has the power to. makelaans to. businesses, such as my dry gaads stare. Of course, the federalBank is appased by that friend of the states, Thomas Jefferson, who. isn'tthinking of our country's future. I only hope that Mr. Hamilton's partywins the next electian.

-Isaac Smith

Learn the SkillUse these steps to. identify facts and apinians.

o Decide which statements are facts. Facts arestatements that are based an direct evidenceand can be proved to. be true. Facts tell whatreally happened. Yau can look up a statementin a research saurce to. prave it is a fact.

o Decide which statements are opinions. An opin-ian is a persanal interpretatian of an event, anidea, ar a persan. Wards such as "I think,""I believe," ar "I feel" are aften used in a state-ment of apinian. Look far these words whenyau read.

o Recognize how writers or speakers mix factsand opinions. Sametimes writers use facts to.suppart their persanal apinian. Or, writers usefacts and apinians to. persuade the reader to.support their paint of view.

302 Chapter 8 Launching a New Nation

Practice the SkillAnswer the fallawing questians abaut the jaurnalentry an this page.

o Decide which statements are facts. (a) Find two.facts in this jaurnal entry. (b) How can yauprave that each statement is a fact?

o Decide which statements are opinions. (a) Findtwo. statements of opinion in this journal entry.(b) How can yau tell that each is an opinion?

o Recognize how writers or speakers mix factsand opinions. (a) Find an example of a statementthat mixes fact and opinion, What is the fact?What is the opinion? (b) Why do.yau think thewriter mixed fact and apinian in this selectian?

Apply the SkillSee the Review and Assessment at the end af thischapter.

J.

r

How did Americans respond to internal and external challenges?

Section 1Washington Takes Office

Section 3Troubles at Home and Abroad

• George Washington was inaugurated asthe first President i~ April of 1789.

• Washington and Congress organized theexecutive and judiciary branches.

• Alexander Hamilton developed a financialplan to repay the country's large war debt.

• Federal forces put down the WhiskeyRebellion in 1794.

• Washington responded forcefully to con-flict in the Northwest Territory betweensettlers and Native Americans.

• The United States remained neutral whenFrance and Britain went to war.

• In his Farewell Address, George Washingtonwarned the nation against disunity andagainst becoming involved in foreign wars.

Section 1The Birth of Political Parties

Section 4The Presidency of John Adams

• Deepening differences between factionsled to the first political parties.

• Republicans wanted a limited nationalgovernment, while Federalists favored astrong federal government.

• John Adams, a Federalist, won the presi-dency in 1796. Thomas Jefferson, a Repub-lican, won the vice presidency.

• John Adams was elected President of theUnited States in 1796.

• The United States and France avoided full-scale war under Adams but fought anundeclared naval war.

• The Federalist-sponsored Alien and Sedi-tion acts provoked a strong reaction byRepublicans in favor of states' rights.

(i) Exploring the Essential QuestionUse the online study guide toexplore the essential question.

Section 1How did President

Washington set the coursefor the new nation?

Section 2How did two political

parties emerge?

Section 3How did the actions of

Britain and France affectthe United States?

Chapter 8Essential Question

How did Americansrespond to internal and

external challenges?

Section 4How did problems withFrance intensify the splitbetween the Federalists

and the Republicans?

Quick Study Guide 303

Key TermsFill in the blanks with the correct key terms.

1. Many of the customs that Washington startedset a for how other Presidents were to actin the future.

2. Jefferson said the national bank wasbecause it was not written in the Constitutionthat Congress had authority to establish one.

3. Neither France nor Britain agreed that theUnited States could be a nation and tradewith both sides during their war.

4. The Act violated the First Amendment ofthe Constitution.

Comprehension and Critical Thinking5. (a) Recall What was the purpose of George

Washington's Cabinet?(b) Link Past and Present Why do you thinkcurrent Presidents have more advisers than thenumber required in Washington's day?

6. (a) Describe What were two internal problemsand their resolutions during Washington's sec-ond term as President?(b) Explain Problems What does the picturebelow indicate about Washington's view of theWhiskey Rebellion?

7. (a) Recall In Washington's Farewell Address,he talked about neutrality toward Europeannations. Why did Washington believe that theUnited States needed to be neutral in the warbetween France and Britain?(b) Draw Conclusions In Washington's Fare-well Address, he also talked about nationalunity. Why was building unity an importantgoal for Washington?

304 Chapter 8 Launching a New Nation

8. (a) Recall Why were the Alien and Seditionacts unpopular with many people?(b) Apply Information Would you defend oroppose the government's right to silence peo-ple who criticize it? Explain.

\!) History Reading Skill9. Analyze Comparisons George Washington is

often referred to as the Father of Our Country.What is the meaning of this metaphor? Do youthink this is a valid comparison? Explain.

Writing10. Write a paragraph about either George

Washington or John Adams.Include major events and describe your sub-ject's personality.Your paragraph should:• begin with a thesis statement;• expand on that main idea with facts,

examples, and other information;• conclude by stating what you think was your

subject's most important contribution to thenew nation.

11. Write a Narrative:Study the pictures and text in Section 1 aboutthe Whiskey Rebellion. Write a two-paragraphnarrative describing the rebellion. Write fromthe point of view of either a farmer or a soldier.

Skills for LifeDistinguish Facts From OpinionsUsethe fictional journal entry below to answer thequestions that follow.

"I am grateful that at least our Vice President,Thomas Jefferson, is a Republican. I believe thathis policies are the only hope for farmers, suchas myself and my neighbors. In my opinion, ourpolitical leaders don't have to be rich or well-educated. The people can lead aswell as follow.Of course, the Federalist Mr. Hamilton, with hisfine clothes, favors the wealthy merchants."

12. (a) Identify one fact in the journal entry.(b) How can you prove the statement is a fact?

13. (a) What is an example of an opinion?(b) How can you tell the statement is an opinion?

14. Find a statement that mixes fact and opinion.What is the fact? What is the opinion?

,.-.,

i'I

I!

i~\

\)l

~,

}-.

Test Yourself- -~---- ---~- -- ~ - -

Progress Monitoring _ nlineFor: Self-test with instant helpVisit: PHSchool.comWeb Code:mya-3046

Refer to the chart below to answer Question 3.1. Which of the following led to tensionbetween France and the United States duringAdams's presidency?

A Treaty of Greenville

B Jay TreatyC Treaty of ParisD Declaration of Independence

Refer to the quotation below to answerQuestion 2.

"It is in my judgment necessary under the circum-stances of the case to take measures for callingforth the militia in order to ... cause the laws tobe duly executed."

2. What event is the subject of the quotation?A French Revolution

B XYZ AffairC Battle of Fallen Timbers

D Whiskey Rebellion

Favored strong central F-avoredstate governmentgovernment

Emphasized manufacturing, Emphasized agricultureshipping, and trade

supported loose interpretation Supported strict interpretationof the Constitution of the Constitution

Favored national bank Opposed national bank

3. Which statement describes a fundamental dif-ference between the two parties?A Federalists believed in a strong central

government, and Republicans did not.

B Federalists believed in a strict interpretationof the Constitution, and Republicans did not.

C Republicans believed in a strong central gov-ernment, and Federalists did not.

D Republicans believed in a loose interpretationof the Constitution, and Federalists did not.

Document 2: After the XYZ Affair, newspapers pub-lished cartoons such as the one shown below. Itdepicts the United States as a young woman sur-rounded by members of the French government.What is the cartoonist's view of the XYZ Affair?

Task: Look at Documents 1 and 2, and answer theiraccompanying questions. Then, use the documentsand your knowledge of history to complete thiswriting assignment:

Write a newspaper editorial supportingor attacking President Adams's decisionto avoid war with France.

Document 1: In 1797, France began seizing Ameri-can ships. Enraged Americans called for war, butPresident John Adams urged a policy of peace.What action does Adams say he will take towardFrance?

"It is my sincere desire ... to preserve peace andfriendship with all nations; and believing that neitherthe honor nor the interest of the United States abso-lutely forbid the repetition of advances for securingthese desirable objects with France, I shall institute afresh attempt at negotiation, and shall not fail topromote and accelerate an accommodation on termscompatible with the rights, duties, interests, and honorof the nation."

Chapter Review and Assessment 305