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Chapter 7, Section 4 John Adams’s Presidency The Election of 1796 • New Era in United States Politics – More than one candidate ran for president • Political Parties – Groups that help elect people and shape policies – Began to form during George Washington’s presidency – In his farewell address, George Washington strongly advised against political parties, fearing that rivalries would weaken the federal government The Election of 1796 • Two Political Parties dominated the 1796 Election – Federalist Party • Founded by Alexander Hamilton • Supported a strong central government • Favored industry and trade – John Adams was not popular in the South or the West, but hoped for the support of the people after so many years of loyal public service • DemocraticRepublican Party – Founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison – Supported states’ rights and limited federal government – Favored farming/ agriculture A New President • John Adams would have to work hard to win the people’s trust – George Washington was adored by the people • At first glance, ill suited for the presidency – Even though he had been a leading Patriot during the American Revolution, a lacked Washington’s dignity – Perceived as cold, distant, and vain • Even those who opposed him respected him – Hard-working, honest, and intelligent The United States and France • John Adams wanted to improve foreign relations with France – Sent United States diplomats overseas – Upon arrival, diplomats were ignored by Foreign Minister Talleyrand and instead visited by 3 French secret agents • Agents said that a treaty would only be discussed in exchange for a $250,000 bribe and a loan of $12 million • The United States diplomats refused the demands The United States and France • In March of 1798, President John Adams told Congress that the peace-seeking mission had failed – Informed Congress of the French terms, substituting the letters X,Y, and Z for the names of the French Secret Agents – Federalists in Congress called for war with France • XYZ Affair – Americans were outraged at such disrespect Preparations for War • President John Adams asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet of more than 30 ship and called for the United States to keep a peacetime army – Congress approved both measures • President Adams did not want to go to war with France – Worried about cost – Did not ask Congress for a declaration of war – Tried to reopen peace talks with France Peace Efforts • President John Adams’s decision not to declare war stunned Federalists – John Adams stood his ground on the issue despite intense pressure from his own party • American and French ships engaged in fighting in the Caribbean • John Adams sent a representative to France and eventually, a treaty was signed – President Adams then forced two members of his cabinet to resign for trying to block his peace efforts The Alien and Sedition Acts • Democratic-Republicans continued to sympathize with France • Alien and Sedition Acts – Passed by Federalist controlled Congress – 4 laws said to protect the United States but really intended to crush opposition to war – Sedition Act • Controversial law which forbade anyone from publishing or voice criticism of the federal government • Violated freedom of speech and freedom of press The Alien and Sedition Acts • Thomas Jefferson and James Madison – Viewed acts as misuse of government power – Wrote resolutions passed by the Kentucky state legislature in 1798 and Virginia in 1799 (Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions) • Argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional • Congress did not repeal the acts, but allowed them to expire within a few years • The Resolutions supported the idea that states could challenge the federal government John Adams and Thomas Jefferson • Longtime political rivals • Abigail Adams death helped the two men to reconcile • Close and personal correspondence for the remainder of their lives • Both died on July 4, 1826 – Both architects of the document (the Declaration of Independence) that gave birth to this new Nation dead, 50 years to the day from the birth of the country they founded. – John Adams’s last words were “Thomas Jefferson survives” • Thomas Jefferson had died only a few hours earlier