Download Chapter 9 Section 4

Chapter 9 Section 4
The Second President
John Adams
Trouble with France
• The French objected to Jay’s Treaty
between the United States and Britain.
• In 1797, French ships began to seize
American ships in the West Indies.
The XYZ Affair
• French foreign minister Charles Maurice
de Talleyrand would not deal directly with
the Americans. Instead, he sent 3 secret
agents:
“Not a sixpence!”
• “You must pay money. You must pay a
great deal of money.”
• Before Talleyrand would begin talks, he
wanted $250,000 for himself and a loan to
France of $10 million.
• The diplomats informed President Adams
about the bribe. He informed Congress.
“Millions for defense, but not
one cent for tribute!
• When Americans heard about the XYZ
Affair in 1798, they were furious.
• They were willing to spend money to
defend their country, but they refused to
pay a bribe to another nation.
Adams avoids war.
• Adams strengthened the
American navy.
• Shipyards built frigatesfast-sailing ships with
guns.
• This convinced France to
stop attacking American
ships.
• Talleyrand assured
Adams that he would
treat American diplomats
with respect.
Alien and Sedition Acts
• In 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts were
passed.
Alien and Sedition Acts
• Alien Act
– Allowed the President
to expel any foreigner
thought to be
dangerous to the
country.
– White people could
become citizens after
14 years instead of 5
years.
• Sedition Act
– Stirring up rebellion
against the
government.
– Citizens could be
fined or jailed if they
criticized the
government.
What happened as a result of
these laws?
• Republicans protested that the Sedition Act
violated the Constitution.
• Several Republican newspaper editors and even
members of Congress were fined and jailed for
their opinions.
• “If this goes down, we shall immediately see
attempted another act of Congress, declaring that
the President shall continue in office during life,
and after that other laws giving both the President
and the Congress life terms in office.”
• Thomas Jefferson
The Rights of States
• Jefferson urged the states to act. He said
that the states had the right to nullify, or
cancel, a law passed by the federal
government.
Kentucky and Virginia
Resolutions
• Helped by Jefferson and
Madison, in 1798 and
1799, these were passed.
They claimed that each
state has an equal right to
judge for itself whether a
law is constitutional.
• If the state decides that
the law is
unconstitutional, it can
nullify the law.
• Does the state have this
right?
John Adams vs. Thomas Jefferson
and Aaron Burr- Election of 1800
• In the race for President, the Republicans won.
However, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes.
• In this case, the House of Representatives votes to
find a winner. After more than 35 times and four
days, Thomas Jefferson was finally chosen as
President.
• Go to http://www.presidentelect.org/e1800.html#top
to find out more information about the Election of
1800.
Twelfth Amendment
• The Twelfth Amendment required electors
to vote separately for President and Vice
President.
• The states ratified the amendment in 1804.
Fun Facts
• Did you know that the population of the United
States in 1800 was 5,308,483, which is less than
present day New York City?
• Did you know that the White House was in such
bad shape when John and Abigail Adams moved
in that Mrs. Adams hung her laundry in the East
Room to dry?
• Did you know that the presidential elections of
1800, 1824, 1876, and 2000 were resolved by the
House of Representatives?
Interactive Quiz
•
1. How did Americans react to the XYZ
Affair?
A. They ignored it.
B. They thought it was the government’s
problem.
C. They were outraged.
Answer to Question #1
• Letter C.- They were outraged.
Question #2
• 2. How long did it take for eligible white
people to become citizens after the Alien
Act was passed?
• A. 5 years
• B. 14 years
• C. 20 years
Answer to Question #2
• Letter B.- 14 years
Question #3
• 3. True or false? After the Sedition Act
was passed, citizens could be fined or
jailed if they criticized the government or
its officials.
Answer to Question #3
• True- Citizens could be jailed for violating
the Sedition Act.
Question #4
• 4. Who was the winner of the Election of
1800?
• A. Thomas Jefferson
• B. John Adams
• C. Aaron Burr
Answer to Question #4
• Letter A. Thomas Jefferson
• Aaron Burr was his Vice President.