John Adams: President #2

• Refresher:• What were the

positives and negatives of Adam’s presidency?

• When Washington left office he gave a famous farewell speech.

• He warned the country about two things:– The USA should mind its

own business. Leave other countries alone!

– Don’t form rival political parties!

Washington’s Farewell Address

President Washington’s Cabinet

• Alexander Hamilton:– Secretary of Treasury– He deals with USA’s

economy, banks, and businesses

– He thinks the federal government should have more power.

• Thomas Jefferson:– Secretary of State– He’s supposed to deal

with other countries– He thinks the states

should have more power.

First Political Parties (p.7-8)

Federalists• Alexander Hamilton:– They think the federal

government should have more power.

Democratic-Republicans• Thomas Jefferson:– They think the states

should have more power.

• Sedition Act: made it illegal to criticize the government when at war.

• Think: What rights does this violate?

• Alien Act: President can deport (kick out of USA) any troublesome foreigners.

• The Alien & Sedition Acts make Adams very unpopular…why?

Alien & Sedition Acts

• Kentucky & Virginia passed laws which said Alien & Sedition laws were unconstitutional

• Do the states have the power to declare laws unconstitutional?

• States claimed power to “nullify,” or erase, laws that went against the Constitution

Kentucky & Virginia

Resolutions

• Laws passed while Adams was president

• Established Supreme Court

• Made it powerful

Judiciary Acts

• France and Britain went to war. The USA wanted to keep trading with both countries.

• France attacked U.S. ships heading to Britain

• Adams tries to avoid war with France and sends people to cut a deal.

• (continued)

XYZ Affair

• Three French officials known as “X, Y, & Z” demanded bribes for peace.

• Many in USA wanted war

• Adams avoided war with France

• Think: Could the USA win that war?

XYZ Affair

Where do I fall on the Federalism

Spectrum?