John Adams Administration Crisis to Crisis Election of

John Adams Administration Crisis to Crisis

Election of 1796 1 st partisan election • Federalists---(Mass) John Adams—Pres. ; (SC) Thomas Pinckney VP • Republicans—(VA) Jefferson—Pres. ; (NY) Aaron Burr VP • Adams— 71 (N’rn votes) Jefferson— 68 (S’rn Votes) Pre-12 th amendment

Crisis I – Foreign policy • Threat of war with FR (FR seized US Vessels) • Refused to accept US ambassador sent by Adams(FR angry over Jay’s Treaty) • Federalist Party Supports war w/FR • Adams wants to wait it out—refuses to start anything w/FR • Claimed US wasn’t ready (took Washington’s advice)

Crisis I – Foreign policy con’t. • Adams Sends 3 agents to FR to Negotiate • FR minister Demands Bribe ($250, 000) • Leads to “XYZ” affair---Angers Public— get information through papers. Papers used X, Y, Z instead of the names

Crisis I – Foreign policy con’t. • Leads to undeclared naval war w/FR • Congress votes to create Dept of Navy--enlarge military • Increase size of US Army –George Washington put in charge • 1799 ---New gov’t in FR—Adams sends 3 reps—Ruins Adams w/ Fed Party • Trying to avoid war

Crisis II-Constitutional • Alien and Sedition Act • Alien Acts 4 new laws limiting citizenship increased waiting period from 5 yrs-14 to be citizen Deportation by Presidential Order Allowed aliens to be jailed w/out trial in war time

Crisis II-Constitutional Con’t. • Sedition Act Made it illegal to speak or write w/the intent of defaming or bringing contempt to President or members of Gov’t • HUGE Violation of 1 st Amendment • Used against Rep Newspapers (papers were very important—only real way to get information to public) Big issue in 1800 election

Crisis III—Union • Virginia and Kentucky. Resolution – Reaction to Alien & Sedition Acts • Sectionalism and Partisan—Big Issue over states’ rights. • States never surrendered rights to judge constitutionality of Federal Actions

Crisis III—Union cont’d. • Doctrine of Nullification 1. Union composed of Independent States 2. Union is an agency of the States 3. Any act of Congress can be declared null and void A state can choose to secede from the Union *Foundation for State’s Rights Philosophy

Election of 1800 Controversy btwn Pres & VP • Federalist—Adams Dem/Repub’ns--Jefferson • 1 st place Pres 2 nd place VP • Election Outcome – Jefferson 73 Adams 65 – Hamilton’s “tinkering” with votes Burr 73 • Decision goes to House of Representatives for Final Decision • House controlled by Democratic Republicans • 12 Amendment separate ballots for pres and VP

Lame Duck Session Midnight appointments • Adams makes Federal Appointments to courts • Federalist’s #’s increased by outgoing congress • “Retreat to the Judiciary”--Lost stronghold in legislative & Executive branches; he used Judiciary to retain power • Appointment of John Marshall to Chief Justice -- Others made @ last minute

Marbury v Madison (1801) • Madison (Sec of State) refused to deliver commission to Marbury • Marbury petitioned S. Crt to force Madison to deliver commission (Judiciary Act) • Creates problem for Chf Justice Marshal • He wants to help a fellow Federalist • The Judicial Branch doesn’t enforce law

Marbury v Madison (1801) cont’d. • Unconstitutional—violates constitutional requirements for Original Jurisdiction • What is Original Jurisdiction? What kind of cases have O. J. with the Supreme Court? • Establishes Judicial Review--Right to declare laws unconstitutional.