Jay Treaty

  • Signed by President Washington in August 1795 to avoid war with Britain.

  • Needed Congressional appropriation to take effect; originated in House of Representatives.

  • Washington used executive privilege to withhold treaty documents from Congress.

  • Federalists campaigned vigorously to fund treaty, linking it to Pinckney's Treaty with Spain, which was popular.

  • House appropriated funds narrowly (51 to 48).

Partisan Divisions

  • Growing partisanship led to distinctions between Republicans and Federalists.

  • Republicans were confident, optimistic, and appealed to small farmers and artisans.

  • Federalists came mainly from commercial interests of New England, emphasized order and hierarchy.

  • Republicans were sympathetic to France; Federalists stressed alliance with Britain.

Washington's Farewell Address

  • Washington outlined U.S. foreign policy principles: avoid permanent alliances and maintain commercial ties only.

  • Warned against factional divisions which he viewed as detrimental to national unity.

Election of 1796

  • First serious presidential election; Federalists nominated John Adams and Thomas Pinckney; Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.

  • Adams won with 71 electoral votes; Jefferson became Vice President with 68, leading to a politically divided administration.

John Adams' Presidency

  • Retained Washington's cabinet, leading to perceptions of inconsistency.

  • Faced Quasi-War with France after XYZ Affair; evidence of French contempt led to increased military spending.

XYZ Affair

  • U.S. commissioners were denied negotiations until a bribe was paid; led to heightened anti-French sentiment.

  • Resulted in undeclared naval conflict between U.S. and France.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

  • Aimed to suppress dissent among recent immigrants and control political speech.

  • Included Naturalization Act, two Alien Acts, and Sedition Act targeting criticism of the government.

  • Led to prosecutions of Republicans and political opposition.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

  • Drafted by Jefferson and Madison asserting state rights to judge federal actions' constitutionality.

  • Introduced the doctrine of nullification, influencing future state rights movements.

Convention of 1800

  • Ended the Quasi-War, allowing for new negotiations with France.

  • Released the U.S. from the 1778 alliance, aligning with Washington's foreign policy vision.