Title: John Adams
1John Adams
2nd
Federalist Party
Vice Presidents Thomas Jefferson (Democratic
Republican)
2John Adams
- John Adams died on July 4th
- TRUE! This day was the 50th anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence for which Adams was
largely responsible - John Adams had 9 kids
- MYTH! He had 6
- Abigail and John wrote hundreds of letters to
each other during their marriage - TRUE! They wrote letters to each other while he
was away serving the country and he often
consulted her opinion on the most serious of
issues.
3Personal Life
- 1735-1826
- Family
- Wife Abigail Adams Remember the Ladies
- Four children including John Quincy Adams who
became the 6th president. - Career Lawyer and Diplomat
4Election of 1796
Candidates
DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN
FEDERALIST
Thomas Jefferson Received 68 electoral college
votes
John Adams Received 71 electoral college votes
- The Constitution stated that whichever candidate
received the most electoral votes became the
PRESIDENT and the runner-up became the
VICE-PRESIDENT - The country had a FEDERALIST President and a
DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN Vice President
5Significant Events
6Important Events
Election of 1800
In the election of 1800, the Republican
candidates were Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr,
the Federalist was John Adams. There were not
separate ballots for President and Vice President
though. When all of the electoral votes were
counted, it was a tie between Jefferson and Burr.
In case of a tie, the decision goes to the House
of Representatives. After four days, the House
chose Jefferson as President and Burr as Vice
President. This incident lead to the passage
of the 12th Amendment, which says that the
electors must vote for the President and Vice
President separately. Since then, power has
transferred peacefully during each election. The
Federalist party began to fade away, and lost
much of its power after its leader, Alexander
Hamilton, was killed in a duel with Aaron Burr.
7DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What kind of problems might occur with a
Federalist president and a Democratic Republican
vice-president?
8Social Domestic
9Economic Policies
10Alien and Sedition Act
- ALIEN ACT
- Immigrants had to wait 14 years to become
citizens (previously 5) - Immigrants could be expelled for making trouble
- Kept immigrants from voting (immigrants typically
supported Democratic Republicans) - SEDITION ACT
- People could be fined or jailed for criticizing
elected officials - Violated 1st Amendment
- Sedition activities aimed at weakening
established government
11DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was the government keeping close watch on
immigrants? 2. What amendment in the Bill of
Rights allows people to criticize our
government?
12DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
4. Which Amendments did Adams violate? What was
one positive thing Adams prevented in the XYZ
affair? 5. What was his political party?
138. Which of the following is a quote of a
Federalist? -
- Im for the little guy.
- I believe in a strict interpretation of the
Constitution. - I am a supporter of the National Bank.
- I feel that the rich and educated and poor
should be able to rule.
14Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798 and
1799
- Written by Madison and Jefferson
- Declared the Alien and Sedition Act
Unconstitutional - Declared that states had the right to nullify or
cancel federal law within a state. - Showed that Americans feared strong central
government that could interfere with their rights - This issue over STATES RIGHTS would continue
until the Civil War.
15DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
3 Why did some states feel they should have more
power than the central government? Why would
this cause problems?
16PROBLEMS WITH FRANCE
- Federalists supported Britain over France in a
European conflict. - French Privateers start to impress American
sailors.
17XYZ Affair
- To prevent war with France, Adams sent delegates
to negotiate with them. - The French minister refused to meet with the
delegates. - The French diplomats XYZ offered to stop and
Bribed Americans - U.S. answered by saying Millions for defense,
but not one cent for tribute. (NO)
18(No Transcript)
19UNDECLARED WAR WITH FRANCE
- Americans were angry over the XYZ Affair.
- U.S. remained neutral, but Congress strengthen
armed forces. - The U.S. began to seize French ships.
20RESULTS
- Federalists (led by Hamilton) wanted Adams
administration to declare war with France, ADAMS
REFUSED - the refusal caused the Federalist Party to split
in half - In 1800, French sign a treaty promising peace.