3. XYZ Affair
•
France begins to capture American ships after U.S.
refuses to help them in war against Britain
•
Adams sent representatives to work out peace with
France. They were met by 3 secret agents who said
their names were “X”, “Y”, and “Z”
•
France says they won’t stop attacking ships unless U.S.
pays them off.
•
Adams refuses to pay and refuses to declare war on
France. “Not one penny for Tribute!”
•
Adams Tells American Ships they have permission to
fight back against the French.
6. War with France?!
• A. Hamilton pushed John Adams to go to war with
France.
• Adams knew America was not ready for another war.
• In February 1799, Adams sent representatives to work
out a peace treaty with France.
• Hamilton and the Federalists were furious at Adams and
turned there backs on him making him unpopular.
• Adams never regretted his decision to make peace
with France.
7. Alien and Sedition Acts
• Federalists in Congress passed the Alien and
Sedition Acts (4 laws). Created to make life
difficult for the Republicans.
– 3 of the laws made it difficult for immigrants to
become citizens and able to vote.
– 1 law made it illegal to say or print anything bad
about the government or the President.
• John Adams approved and signed them into
law.
8. Opposition to the Acts
and States’ Rights
• Thomas Jefferson bitterly opposed
the Alien and Sedition Acts as a
violation of the rights of citizens
• James Madison wrote the Virginia
and Kentucky Resolutions. It
stated that if a stated decides a
law is unconstitutional, it has the
power to nullify (cancel) that law
within its borders
9. John Adams as President
• Adams kept the United States out of war with
France even though it cost him his career in
government and politics
• The Federalist Party turned their back on
Adams and Alexander Hamilton did not
support him in the Election of 1800.
• Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans
hated the Alien and Sedition Acts because
they violated the rights of Americans.
