John Adams
Adams Becomes President 1796 campaign Adams was supported by New England and Federalists Defeated Jefferson 71-68 by Electoral College Jefferson becomes VP France and US close to war Jay s Treaty US not honoring Franco-American Treaty of 1778
Vice-President Adams Adams' 2 terms as VP were frustrating He complained to his wife Abigail, "My country has in its wisdom contrived for me the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." Later vice-presidents would share these same sentiments. It was not until more modern times that the office took on more meaning.
Fighting with France French upset by US violation of France-US treaty of 1778 Upset with Jay s Treaty toward alliance with England French warships impressed over 300 US merchant ships by 1797
Impressment Act of kidnapping and pressing or forcing them into your navy France began impressing our ships and sailors because of our Neutrality Proclamation. France upset because we violated the Franco American Treaty of 1778
Tallyrand To avoid war with France, President Adams sent 3 American representatives (John Marshall, Charles Pinckney and Elbridge Gerry) to negotiate a peace agreement US representatives were snubbed by French gov t They were not received No officials would talk with them
Eventually, 3 French representatives (referred later by US officials as X, Y and Z because they refused to give their names) Adams administration did not want to further exacerbate the situation XYZ demanded a bribe of $250,000 to merely talk with Tallyrand Also they had to agree to giving France a $12 million dollar loan
Insulted, Americans refused demands and left France US & French begin to fight an undeclared naval war: The Quasi-War America, the maiden, is being victimized by France. Britain sits up on the hill aloof, just watching. Other European leaders stand by and discuss.
President Adams on XYZ Affair: I will never send another minister to France without assurances that he will be received, respected, and honored as the representative of a great, free, powerful and independent nation.
"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute."
Federal precedent: Alien and Sedition Acts Alien Sedition - a foreigner, immigrant - speaking out against gov t; possibly stirring up a rebellion Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) Why create law? Who was it to protect? Did it simply serve Federalist interests??? Some claim it was intended to stop Democratic- Republicans from gaining power
ISSUE: ALIEN ACT: Does the US Gov t have the right to suspend your rights (Bill of Rights) in time of crisis (such as war) to protect the national security of the country? Yes there is the precedent Congress gave President Adams the power to deport any immigrant who was considered a risk to national security. Changed naturalization (immigrants to become citizens) from 5 years to 14 yrs
ISSUE: Does the US Gov t have the right to suspend your rights (Bill of Rights) in time of crisis (such as war) to protect the national security of the country? Yes there is the precedent SEDITION ACT: Congress gave President special powers to arrest anyone who spoke out against the war effort *Primarily targeted? Jefferson s Democratic/Republicans and newspaper editors who opposed the war
Federalist Witch Hunt?
That if any person shall write, print, utter, or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published, or willingly assist in any false, Scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of Congress or the President of the United States, person, being thereof convicted shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars and by imprisonment not exceeding two years
Federalists will argue (this time) that only the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional
Bill of Rights: The Bill of Rights Remember circumstances in which the Bill of Rights was promised Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Jefferson s and Madison s response to the Sedition Act... Believed Sedition Act violated 1st Amendment: freedom of speech and press. They looked at US and state s constitutions for justification for a way to legally challenge federal law Tried to convince the states not to support the Sedition Act.
DOCTRINE OF NULLIFICATION: Since States created National Government, they have the right to nullify or cancel or decide not to obey a law they believed was unconstitutional COMPACT THEORY:
Many worry this law sets a dangerous precedent
Fighting with France US had prepared for war and continued to do so Expanded Navy, creates the US Marine Corps. - Undeclared naval war with France lasted 2 years without much harm to either side - France agreed to American terms in the Convention of 1800
Forget previous treaty Franco-American Alliance of 1178 Adams deserved credit but will receive no credit - only blame: Avoided war BUT damage is done