The Election of 1796 The Federalists turned to Washingtons Vice
President, John Adams. Democratic- Republicans chose Thomas
Jefferson The campaign focused heavily on personalities Adams won
71-68. Jefferson became Vice President
Slide 3
Slide 4
Slide 5
He narrowly defeated Thomas Jefferson who became his vice
president. The vote was largely along regional lines with the North
favoring Adams, the South favoring Jefferson. John Adams was
elected President in 1796.
Slide 6
Americans were angered and insulted by this XYZ Affair and
sentiment against France grew. French officials identified only as
X, Y, and Z demanded bribes for the right to negotiate. Like
Britain, France began seizing American ships. Adams sent envoys to
negotiate. Early in his presidency, Adams faced a crisis with
France.
Slide 7
The XYZ Affair
Slide 8
In 1798 Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts making it a
crime to criticize the government. Immigrants, most of whom tended
to favor Democratic Republicans, could be deported. The Federalists
claimed the acts were necessary to stop unhealthy criticism that
was undermining trust in the government. Democratic Republicans
charged the acts violated the Constitution and were aimed to
silence the opposition.
Slide 9
They suggested that states can nullify or reject
unconstitutional laws. In 1798 and 1799, Jefferson and Madison
attacked the Sedition Act as unconstitutional in the Virginia and
Kentucky resolutions.
Slide 10
That the several states who formed that instrument (the
Constitution), being sovereign and independent, have the
unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and that a
nullification, by those sovereignties, of all unauthorized acts
done under colour of that instrument, is the rightful remedy
Slide 11
That this commonwealth does upon the most deliberate
reconsideration declare, that the said alien and sedition laws, are
in their opinion, palpable violations of the said constitution -The
Kentucky Resolution, Dec. 1799 (authored by Thomas Jefferson)
Slide 12
The ideas in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were similar
to arguments later made by John C. Calhoun about the power of
states to nullify federal laws.
Slide 13
Shortly before the 1800 election, President Adams sought peace
with France. This angered other Federalists, including Alexander
Hamilton who then worked against Adams bid for re-election. Despite
a tie in the electoral college, Thomas Jefferson won the
presidency.
Slide 14
Map 11-1 p204
Slide 15
The election of 1800 marked an important precedent as the first
peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another. The
election of 1800 changed the balance of power and ended the
Federalist era in government.