John Adams

John Adams domestic affairs?

alien & sedition acts, Kentuky & Virginia resolves, & Judriciary act of 1801

John Adams foreign affairs?

XYZ affair, Quasi War, Convetion of 1800

XYZ affair

The French Navy was seizing US ships that were trading with England. In an attempt to avoid war, Adams sends 3 envoys to France to negiotiate.  Marquis de Talleyrand asked the US envoys to pay a tribute of $250,000 & make a loan of $12 million. In response, Pinckney, Gerry & Marshall send a message to Adams detailing the request. The Federalists in the US were outraged but Adams refused to ask for a declaration of war. 

Quasi war

Congress authorized the  US naval frigates to attack french ships. Adams was criticized by the Federalists who wanted war and the DM’s who did not want war. Adams still resists & pursues peace with France by passing the Alien & Sedition act to curb dissent. Ultaimtely, Napoleon accepted peace with the US as he was currently battling England & Russia.

Convention of 1800

treaty of Morfeintaine was created that details the stop seizure of US ships, terminating the US/French Treaty of Alliance, US drops demands for compensation

Judiciary act of 1801

create additional federal judgeships, federalists plan to controll 1 branch, leads to the Marbury vs Madison case

Alien act

president could expel any alien (dangerous) person & immigrants must wait 14 years instead of 5 to become a citizen

Sedition act

citizens will be fined/jailed if they print or speak criticisms of the government (false, scandalous, malicious statements)

Virginia & Kentucky Resolution

argues for nullification → state level ressitane to stop federal power

midnight judges

Adams passed the Judiciary Act of 1801 & stayed up until midnight in the last night of his presidency in order to nominate federalists for judge posistions

Election of 1796

Adams’ vice president was of the opposite party