ADAM'S PRESIDENCY: DIALECTICAL RESPONSES

Learn about John Adams' challenging presidency, the XYZ Affair, and key laws.

Adam's Historical Significance John Adams was an important figure throughout the revolution and the early years of the presidency. He was one of only two presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence. The crisis with France dominated most of his time in office. He was faced with opposition to actions he took concerning France from both parties. However, his perseverance allowed the fledgling United States to avoid war giving it more time to build and grow before having to worry about military action. Why should Adam's be remembered? Election of 1796: As Washington's Vice President, Adams was the next logical Federalist candidate. He was opposed by Thomas Jefferson in a fierce campaign. Adams was in favor of a strong national government and felt France was a greater concern to national security than Britain while Jefferson felt the opposite.At that time, whoever received the most votes became president and second most became Vice President. The two enemies were elected together; John Adams received 71 electoral votes and Jefferson got 68. This led to the passing of the 12th Amendment, which separated candidates on ballots. Why did the 12th amendment need to be passed? Two candidates from different political parties were chosen as President and Vice President Most Americans were literate and needed the ballot read to them Because voting was so confusing for American citizens Events and Accomplishments of John Adam's Presidency Adams' major accomplishment was to keep America out of war with France and normalize relations between the two countries.When he became president, relations were strained between the United States and France mainly because the French were making raids on American ships.In 1797, Adams sent three representatives to try and work things out. However, the French would not accept the representatives. Instead, the French Minister Talleyrand sent three men to ask for $250,000 in order to resolve their differences. This event became known as the XYZ Affair and caused public uproar against France. Adams had to act quickly to avoid war by sending another group of representatives to France to try and preserve the peace. This time they were able to meet and come to an agreement allowing the US to be protected on the seas in exchange for granting France special trading privileges.During the ramp up for possible war, Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Acts consisted of measures designed to limit immigration and free speech. Fears had grown throughout America about the threat of foreign enemies and criticisms about Adams as president also began to rise.Naturalization= you had to live in America for 14 years before you could become a citizenAlien= If you came to American illegally and were found out then you could be jailed without lawyer, trial, or jury,Sedition= Anyone (Alien or not) that Speak or prints falsehoods lies or speak outs against the government in a way that damages it or weakens it can be jailed. Who did Adam's keep America out of war with? England Spain France What was the XYZ Affair? The debt's France owe to America for help during their revolution France's attempt to get a bribe out of America Compensation for the war between England and France The Alien an Sedition Acts was the government attempt to... limit immigration and free speech open America's borders to displaced unfortunate French citizens To show neutrality in foreign matters Vocabulary Match the following vocabulary terms to their meanings Naturalization you had to live in America for 14 years before you could become a citizen Alien If you came to American illegally and were found out then you could be jailed without lawyer trial or jury Sedition Anyone (Alien or not) that Speak or prints falsehoods lies or speak outs against the government in a way that damages it or weakens it can be jailed The Kentucky Virginia Resolutions The Kentucky Virginia Resolutions were passed just after the Alien ad Sedition Acts and claimed that they were unconstitutional b it violated the people first amendment right to freedom of speech and press. Also that Adams had no right to use implied (assumed) powers and called for the nullification (canceling) of the Acts.Americans began to fear the power of the government and how strong it was becoming. The issue of states’ rights would become a big debate topic for many years. What was the main message of the Kentucky Virginia Resolutions? to point out how the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional To gain support for the Acts to become part of the constitution To force the states to arrest anyone suspected of not being America The final decisions of a president John Adams spent the last few months of his term in office in the new, unfinished mansion in Washington, D.C. that would be eventually called the White House.He did not attend Jefferson's inauguration and instead spent his last hours in office appointing numerous Federalist judges and other office holders based on the Judiciary Act of 1801 (created Federal Judge or circuit Judge positions to help take the load off of Supreme Court Justices).These would be known as the "midnight appointments." Jefferson removed many of them, and the Supreme Court case Marbury vs. Madison(1803) ruled the Judiciary Act unconstitutional resulting in the right of Judicial Review. On February 24, 1803, the Court rendered a unanimous (4–0) decision, that Marbury had the right to his commission but the court did not have the power to force Madison to deliver the commissionAdams was unsuccessful in his bid for reelection, being opposed not only by the Democratic-Republicans under Jefferson but also by Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton, a Federalist, actively campaigned against Adams hoping that Vice Presidential nominee, Thomas Pinckney, would win. However, Jefferson won the presidency and Adams retired from the presidency. What did Marbury vs Madison determine? That Adam's should have won the election and not Jefferson That the Supreme Court has no power over the executive branch That the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional The power of the Supreme Court is called? Midnight Judges Marbury Judicial Review Post Presidential Period John Adams lived for over 25 years after failing to be reelected to the presidency. He returned home to Massachusetts. He spent his time learning and corresponding with old friends including mending fences with Thomas Jefferson and beginning a vibrant letter friendship. He lived to see his son, John Quincy Adams, to become president. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day as Jefferson’s death. Why should Adams be remembered?