Elected President

John Adams

in 1796 as a
FEDERALIST
Vice-Pres.

Thomas Jefferson
(Republican)
President for one

term

Foreign Policy: Conflicts with France

XYZ Affair

France begins to capture American ships after U.S.

refuses to help them in war against Britain

Adams sent representatives to work out peace with

France. They were met by 3 secret agents who said
their names were X, Y, and Z

France says they wont stop attacking ships unless

U.S. pays them off.

Adams refuses to pay and refuses to declare war on

France. Not one penny for Tribute!

Adams Tells American Ships they have permission to

fight back against the French.

War with France?!

I feel that John Adams

should choose to
because

War with France?!

A. Hamilton pushed John Adams to go to war with
France.
Adams knew America was not ready for another war.
In February 1799, Adams sent representatives to
work out a peace treaty with France.
Hamilton and the Federalists were furious at Adams
and turned there backs on him making him
unpopular.
Adams never regretted his decision to make peace
with France.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Federalists in Congress passed the Alien and
Sedition Acts (4 laws). Created to make life
difficult for the Republicans.
3 of the laws made it difficult for immigrants to
become citizens and able to vote.
1 law made it illegal to say or print anything bad
about the government or the President.

John Adams approved and signed them into

law.

Opposition to the Acts

and States Rights
Thomas Jefferson bitterly opposed
the Alien and Sedition Acts as a
violation of the rights of citizens
James Madison wrote the Virginia
and Kentucky Resolutions. It
stated that if a stated decides a
law is unconstitutional, it has the
power to nullify (cancel) that law
within its borders

John Adams as President

Adams kept the United States out of war with
France even though it cost him his career in
government and politics
The Federalist Party turned their back on Adams
and Alexander Hamilton did not support him in
the Election of 1800.
Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans hated the
Alien and Sedition Acts because they violated
the rights of Americans.

Grading John Adams

I feel John Adams

earned (A, B, C, or F)
as President because