John Adams' Presidency: Key Events and Challenges

1796 Election

First election influenced by political parties.

Federalist Candidate

John Adams represented the Federalist Party.

Republican Candidate

Thomas Jefferson represented the Republican Party.

Electoral College Votes

Adams: 71, Jefferson: 68 in 1796 election.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident involving French bribery demands.

Charles Talleyrand

French foreign minister during the XYZ Affair.

Quasi-War

Undeclared conflict with France during Adams' presidency.

U.S. Navy Actions

Captured French vessels to protect merchant ships.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws targeting immigrants and limiting dissent.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party seen as sympathetic to France.

William Vans Murray

Ambassador sent to negotiate peace with France.

Napoleon Bonaparte

New French leader who negotiated peace with Adams.

Trade Agreement

Treaty to end attacks on American shipping.

Federalist Split

Division within Federalists over war with France.

Kentucky/Virginia Resolutions

Political statements opposing Alien and Sedition Acts.

Adams' Leadership

Focused on avoiding war and maintaining peace.

Immigrant Criticism

Negative sentiment towards French-supporting immigrants.

Hamilton's Influence

Federalists wanting war looked to Alexander Hamilton.

Adams and Jefferson

Former friends turned political rivals.

Public Sentiment

Federalists accused Democratic-Republicans of treason.

Military Preparations

Adams enlarged the army to deter war.