John Adams (1796)

Exam Review

what was the xyz affair?

diplomatic incident in 1798 in which Americans where outraged by the demand of the French for a bribe as a condition for negotiating with American diplomats. This led to the naval quasi-war.

What was the alien act and who did it target?

the alien act threatened to deport foreigners and made it harder to become a u.s. citizen and vote. It targeted immigrants.

what was the sedition act and who opposed it?

the act stated that it was a federal crime to print anything “scandalous or false” against the government. Republicans opposed it saying it was against freedom of speech.

what was the nullification crisis?

when Jefferson and Madison argued about weather or not the alien and sedition acts should be nullified.

what where the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions?

Drafted by Madison and Jefferson against the alien and sedition acts. It argued that states had the right to declare federal laws unconstitutional and to their citizens to prevent the enforcement of laws. Republicans used it as a political tool to gain party advantage.