Unit One Lesson Six

Unit One Lesson Six:The Second President and the Alien and Sedition Acts : 

Unit One Lesson Six:The Second President and the Alien and Sedition Acts

Key Terms : 

Key Terms XYZ Affair Frigate Alien and Sedition Act Sedition Nullify Kentucky and Virginia Resolution States’ Rights

Background : 

Background John Adams was very different than George Washington. Washington spoke only a little and chose his words carefully. Adams was very outspoken. Despite his temper, Adams was an honest and able leader. He always tried to act in the best interest of the nation, even when he knew that his actions would hurt him politically. He took the chance and stood up to members of his political party and to public opinion.

Conflict with France : 

Conflict with France Almost as soon as he took office he faced a conflict with France. The French objected to Jay’s Treaty. They felt that it favored Britain In 1797 they began seizing American ships as the British had done. Once again Americans called for war.

Slide 5: 

To avoid war, Adams sent diplomats to Paris to discuss the rights of a neutral nation. The French foreign minister did not deal directly with the Americans. Instead, he sent three agents to offer the Americans a deal. Before the foreign minster would even begin talks the agents told the Americans that he wanted $250,000 for himself and a $10 million loan to France. Adams informed Congress of the offer. He did not reveal the names of agents and referred to them as X, Y, and Z.

Slide 6: 

This was known as the X Y Z Affair. This affair ignited a sense of war in the country. Adams refused the cries for war and took Washington’s advice and tried desperately to keep America out of war. He could not ignore the French attacks on U.S. ships. He strengthened the navy by building frigates, fast-sailing ships with many guns. This move helped France decide to stop attacking American ships.

Federalist Party Splits : 

Federalist Party Splits Led by Hamilton, many Federalists criticized Adams. They supported war with France. They felt that a war would cause a build up of the military causing an increase in the power of the federal government. Although Adams was a Federalist, he wanted to keep the U.S. out of war.

Napoleon Bonaparte : 

Napoleon Bonaparte Adams sent more diplomats France. There they met an ambitious young army officer named Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon was planning for war against some European powers. He had no time for war with the U.S. He signed an agreement to stop seizing American ships. ***Adams successfully kept America out of war!

Alien and Sedition Acts : 

Alien and Sedition Acts During the conflict with France, Congress passed several laws. These laws were known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The President had the power to expel any alien, or foreigner thought to be dangerous to the country. Another law made it more difficult for an immigrant to become a citizen of the United States. The Federalists passed this law because it would keep immigrants, who often supported Jefferson, from voting for years.

Slide 10: 

Republicans grew very angry about these laws. They were even angrier when Congress passed the Sedition Act. Sedition means stirring up rebellion against the government. Under this law citizens could be jailed or fined for criticizing the government or its officials. Republicans protested that the Sedition Act violated the Constitution. Jefferson warned that these new laws threatened American liberties.

Rights of States : 

Rights of States Vice President Jefferson bitterly opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts. He could not take action against the laws because the Federalists controlled the courts, so asked states to take strong action against the acts. He said that the states had the right to nullify, or cancel a law, passed by the federal government. This way, the states could resist the power of the federal government.

Slide 12: 

With help from Jefferson and Madison, Kentucky and Virginia passed the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions. Claimed that each state “has an equal right to judge for itself” whether a law is constitutional. If a state decides that the law is unconstitutional, they have the right to nullify the law within its borders. These resolutions raised the issue of states’ rights. Within a few years, the Alien and Sedition Acts were dropped.