A Time for Dilemma: John Adams and the French Problem

President John Adams

The XYZ Affair

The Alien and Sedition Acts

The Election of 1796

Hamilton was the first Federalists choice for president but he was considered to controversial to run

Adams (Federalist) is chosen and is elected president in 1796

President Adams will be asked by both France and Britain to join their side against the other

The XYZ Affair

The French are angered by Jay’s Treaty and begin attacking American ships

Adams send agents to to enter in a treaty with the French as well

The XYZ Affair

French agents demand a bride before they talk to the American agents about a treaty

Adams embarrasses the Republicans by announcing to the nation how the French behaved

The nation prepares for a possible war

His Presidency

Adams was strong willed and disliked the Jeffersonian Republicans

Adams’ personality makes it hard for him to unify the Federalists

He’s perceived as weak when threatened by France with war and does not act on their threat

Trouble on The High Seas

The Alien and Sedition Acts

Federalists fear that Republicans and the French will become allies

French and British refugees are coming to the United States to escape the war

The Federalists will pass several laws to keep the Republicans for complaining against how the Federalist are running things

The Alien and Sedition Acts

June 18, 1798 The Naturalization Act requires a longer amount of residence to become a citizen

June 25, 1798 Alien Act gave the president the power to expel foreigners (used against the French)

July 14, 1798 Sedition Act made it a crime to publish criticisms of the government

Politicians can be vindictive

The Federalists (Adam’s party) attempted to silence criticism from the Republican party by enforcing the Sedition Act

Ben Franklin’s son is actually arrested for violating the Act

The Kentucky and Virginia Resolves,1798

Jefferson and Madison believe that the Sedition Act violates the 1st Amendment

They argue that states can nullify a federal law if the state believes it to be unconstitutional

The Resolves were a ploy to jumpstart Jefferson’s bid for president in the next election