US History: French Revolution, Early Presidencies, and Federalist Policies

French Revolution

Inspired by the American Revolution

Neutrality Proclamation

It stated that the United States would not take sides with any European countries that were at war

Britain's actions towards neutral American ships

Britain attacked and seized neutral American ships bringing supplies to the French

Jay's Treaty

British would pay for the goods they stole or destroyed from the American ships and abandon their forts in the Northwest, and the U.S. would pay Britain the debts they owed

Pinckney's Treaty

Spain gives up claims to western U.S., Florida-U.S. boundary set, Mississippi River open to U.S. traffic

Resistance in the Northwest Territory

Native Americans

New commander of the army in 1792

Anthony Wayne

Challenges faced by Anthony Wayne's troops

Sick with influenza and smallpox, his troops moved north and built Fort Greenville

Battle lost by Anthony Wayne's troops

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Treaty of Greenville

Gave the United States claim to most Indian lands in the northwest territory, as well as the safety of settlers there. In exchange the Native Americans got $20,000 worth of goods and an acknowledgement of the lands they still held

Washington's decision in 1796

Decided not to run for a third term because he was 'tired of public life' and 'wished for retirement'

Washington's view on true leaders

The people

Greatest dangers to America according to Washington's farewell address

Forming permanent ties to other countries, political conflicts in the country weakened the government, too much debt for the country

2nd U.S. President in 1796

Federalist John Adams

Vice-president in 1796

Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican

Sectionalism in the 1796 election

Placing regional interests above nation

French seizure of U.S. ships during Adams' presidency

French see Jay's Treaty as violation of alliance

XYZ Affair

When Adams sent his diplomats there, the French foreign minister would not speak to them and sent 3 agents asking for a $250,000 bribe and a loan of $12 million

Public perception of John Adams

Although Adams was a foreign diplomat and was a leading patriot during the Revolution, the people did not like him as much as George Washington

Alien and Sedition Acts

Four laws passed said to protect the United States, but the Federalist intended them to crush opposition to war

Controversy of the Sedition law

Banned anyone from publishing or voicing criticism of the federal government

Alien Acts

Raise residence requirements for citizenship, permit deportation, jail

Violation of rights by Alien and Sedition Acts

They violate basic rights like freedom of speech protected by the constitution

Authors of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison

Declaration of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolution

The alien and sedition laws were unconstitutional

Nullification according to the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

States have right to void laws deemed unconstitutional