John Adams:Our 2nd President

Adams' biggest struggle

Adams really struggled with foreign affairs.

Washington had set the precedent of staying out of foreign affairs and remaining neutral.

France was really upset with the United States for signing Jay's Treaty with England who was their enemy. The French started seizing our ships. The US sent diplomats but the French prime minister refused to see them.

The XYZ AffairInstead Talleyrand (the French

foreign minister) sent three secret agents to offer the Americans a deal. In order to even start talks with the United States, Talleyrand demanded a bribe of $250,000 for himself as well as a loan of $10 Million for France.

The diplomats told Adams of their meeting with agents X, Y, and Z. Adams in turn told Congress.

Americans were outraged that our former allies were demanding such a bribe.

Americans disagree with AdamsAt this point many Americans wanted war with

France. Adams, still trying to follow Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, resisted.

Instead he did two things:1. First he strengthened the Military.2. He also increased the Navy. It was at this time that the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, was built.

As a result of our newer, stronger Navy the French temporarily stopped attacking our ships. They also agreed to respect our ambassadors.

The Federalist PartyMany of the members of the Federalist Party

were upset with Adams' actions. They wanted war. They didn't understand why Adams kept avoiding the war.

These Federalists saw that war would:1. Weaken the Democratic Republican party - who were supporters of France.2. It would also boost the military.3. A stronger military would make the Federal government stronger.

As a result of these arguments Alexander Hamilton and a group of his supporters decided to break off and form the High Federalist Party.

Adams and Napoleon

Napoleon confessed that he did not have time for a war with the United States. He was too busy trying to build an Empire in Europe. He signed an agreement with the United States known as the Convention of 1800 in which he agreed to stop attacking our ships.

The Threat of War DiminishedWith the signing of the Convention of 1800, the

threat of war with France was gone. The Federalist Party started to lose power. In the election of 1800 Democratic Republicans won control of the Congress. In the presidential race Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson tied in the electoral college. Where there is a tie, the House of Representatives gets to choose the President and they chose Jefferson. The Federalists' power was virtually gone.

Last Straw for the FederalistsAlexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were bitter rivals from New York. Alexander Hamilton was shot and killed in a duel by Aaron Burr.(You do not need to copy this down, its just a "Did You Know")

**The pistols from the duel are on display at the JP Morgan Chase Building in New York City. Chase Bank can trace its roots to Aaron Burr's Bank of Manhattan