The XYZ Affair and Federalist Split in Adams' Presidency

1. Chapter 8, Section 4 John Adams as President

2. The XYZ Affair • The French objected to Jay’s Treaty between the U.S. and France • French ships began to seize Americans ships as the British had done • Americans called for war • Adams tried to avoid war by sending diplomats to France

3. “Not a sixpence” • French foreign minister, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand would not deal directly with the Americans • He sent 3 secret agents to offer a deal • The agents wanted money, $250,000 for Talleyrand and a $10 million loan to France

4. “Not a sixpence” • Adams informed congress of the bribe but would not reveal the names of the agents • referred to them as agents XYZ • Americans were outrages by the XYZ Affair • “millions for defense but not one cent for tribute”

5. Adams avoids war • Adams did not ask Congress for war • He strengthened the navy • This convinced France to stop attacking American ships • Talleyrand assured Adams he would treat American diplomats with respect

6. The Federalist Party Splits • Hamilton criticized Adam’s peace policy • They hoped war would weaken Jefferson and the Republicans (longtime friends of France) • War also meant the U.S. would build up its army and navy lead to increased federal power

7. The Federalist Party Splits • John Adams, a Federalist would not give into Hamilton • The disagreement created a split in the Federalist party • High Federalist: Hamilton’s supporters

8. Adams sent diplomats to France again • Meet with Napoleon Bonaparte who wanted to expand French power in Europe • No time for war with the U.S. • Convention of 1800: Bonaparte promised to stop seizing American ships • Like Washington Adams kept the U.S. out of war

9. Alien and Sedition Acts • During the crisis with France High Federalist pushed several laws through Congress known as the Alien and Sedition Acts • Alien Act: allowed the President to expel any alien or foreigner thought to be dangerous

10. Alien and Sedition Acts • Another law made it harder for people to become citizens • Before white people could become citizens after 5 years, now they had to wait 14 years • Meant to keep people from voting-often for Republicans

11. Alien and Sedition Acts • Sedition means stirring up rebellion against a government • Sedition Act: citizens could be fined or jailed if they criticized the government or its officials • Republicans protest that the Sedition act violated the First Amendment • Under the new law newspaper editors and even members of Congress were jailed for their opinions

12. The Rights of States • Republicans did not turn to the Supreme Court because most Justices were Federalists • Jefferson urged the states to act • Nullify: cancel a law passed by the feral government

13. The Right of States • Kentucky and Virginia resolutions: claimed that each state has an equal right to judge for itself if a law is constitutional • Helped by Jefferson and Madison • In time the Alien and Sedition acts were charged or dropped

14. Election of 1800 • Republicans focused on 2 issues 1. Attacked Federalist for raising taxes to prepare for war 2. Opposed the Alien and Sedition Acts • Republicans choose Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for VP • Federalist choose Adams for President

15. A deadlock • Republicans won • Jefferson and Burr both received 73 electoral votes • Under the Constitution the House of Representatives decides in a tied election

16. A deadlock • The Hose was evenly split, it voted 35 times each time was a tie • Finally the House chose Thomas Jefferson for President Burr became VP • 12th Amendment: required electors to vote separately for President and Vice President

17. Federalist lose favor • Jefferson’s election marked the end of the Federalist era