THE END OF WASHINGTONS PRESIDENCY AND THE START

THE END OF WASHINGTON’S PRESIDENCY AND THE START OF JOHN ADAMS’ PRESIDENCY George Washington John Adams Eliseo Lugo III

FOREIGN POLICY UNDER WASHINGTON Revolution in France divides America 1793 - Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation (England vs France) Impressments of American ships Impressment is the act of seizing someone and forcing them into service Jay’s Treaty (1794) Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) Chaos in France

WESTERN EXPANSION UNDER WASHINGTON Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794): American troops vs native confederation In the 1780 s and 1790 s the area between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi River are settled rapidly This settlement would lead to conflicts with Native. Americans in Northwest Territory

WASHINGTON LEAVES OFFICE Washington asked to run for 3 rd term, refuses (precedent) In Washington’s Farewell Address he warns against sectionalism, political parties, and becoming too involved in foreign affairs Washington retires to Mount Vernon after serving as President

THE PRESIDENCY OF JOHN ADAMS, THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

JOHN ADAMS THE MAN John Adams Long record of patriotism, extensive background Bright and capable, but he was difficult to deal with He had a tough act to follow (George Washington) Barely defeated Jefferson in 1796 election, then was forced into having Jefferson be his Vice President. His presidency will immediately have to face a crisis

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION CREATES TENSION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE Adams presidency is almost immediately faced with a crisis over strained relations with France The French are upset with the United States position of neutrality in the war between France and England. Why? The French were also upset with the United States by the Jay Treaty since they felt it put the United States on the side of the British.

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION CREATES TENSION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND FRANCE CONTINUED The Jay Treaty repaired relations between Great Britain, which the United States needed economically. (American trade with Great Britain would be necessary for American prosperity) As a result, American merchant ships began being seized by French warships Adams sends delegates to France to negotiate a peace. This mission would lead to the XYZ Affair French ministers (X, Y, & Z) requested bribes in order to enter into negotiations

THE XYZ AFFAIR q q q The United States sends delegates to France. XYZ Affair-Three French agents attempt to make the United States pay money before discussing French seizure of neutral American ships. In other words, they tried to bribe the United States before they would consider stopping their Impressment of American ships Adams told Congress about the proposal but did not name the agents, instead he called them X, Y, and Z.

FALLOUT FROM XYZ AFFAIR q As a result of the XYZ Affair, Federalists demanded that Adams ask Congress to declare war on France. q The people were outraged and demanded war with France q Adams refused and wanted to keep the U. S. out of foreign affairs, essentially following Washington’s advise. q As a result he built frigates. Frigates are fast-sailing ships with many guns

FALLOUT FROM XYZ AFFAIR CONTINUED Adams builds these frigates to convince France to stop attacking and impressing their sailors. q Adams then sent delegates once again to France in an effort to avoid war with them q Since France was preoccupied with their war in Europe, the agreed in 1800 to stop seizing and impressing American ships. q In the United States, the fallout from the XYZ Affair increased tensions between the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. q This tension would lead to the Naturalization Act and the Alien and Sedition Acts. q

NATURALIZATION ACT What did it do? Increases from five to fourteen number of years required to qualify for U. S. citizenship Why would it favor the Federalists? Most immigrants voted with the Democratic-Republicans

THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS What did it do? Authorized the president to deport any aliens considered to be dangerous Authorized the president to detain any enemy aliens in a time of war Why would it favor the Federalists? Democratic-Republicans the French Revolution sympathetic to

ALIEN AND SEDITION ACTS What did it do? Makes it illegal for newspapers to criticize the president or Congress Imposed heavy penalties for editors who violated the new law with either fines or imprisonment Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont, arrested under the Sedition Act of 1798, attacking a fellow congressman

JOHN ADAMS CONCLUSION Dislike for the Federalist Congress and the Alien and Sedition Acts cost Adams his reelection and gave control of Congress to the Republicans. But in weighing his presidency, we have to consider the negative along with the positive: Relationship with France damaged New taxes imposed Party politics become entrenched Keeps U. S. out of war, preserves neutrality Strengthens the Navy Peaceful transfer of power in 1800