John Adams

3.5.09

Election of 1796

• Democratic Republicans : – Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr

• Federalists: – John Adams and Thomas Pinckney

• BIG ISSUES:– Jay’s Treaty– French Revolution

*****According to the constitution, the person with the most electoral votes becomes President, the next highest total becomes Vice President.*****

Candidate Political Party

Electoral Votes

John Adams Federalist 79

Thomas Pinckney

Federalist 51

Oliver Ellsworth

Federalist 11

Thomas Jefferson

Democratic-Republican

68

Aaron Burr Democratic-Republican

30

Samuel Adams

Democratic-Republican

15

So who’s President?

Vice-President?

Why is this a problem?

Maybe I should just run again?

XYZ Affair

• France objects to Jay’s Treaty• Jay’s Treaty = Britain pays U.S. for damage to ships, U.S. pays

Britain money they owed to merchants.

– “That favor’s the British! You said you were NEUTRAL!” –The French

• What does France do?– Start seizing American Ships! (just like the British

had)

• American People want war!• President John Adams wants to stay Neutral!

– Sends representatives to France to discuss the rights of neutral nations.

X Y Z

If you want to meet with Talleyrand,

give him $250,000. Then Lend France 10

Million Not a

sixpence!

XYZ Affair

• When American’s find out they are outraged• “Millions for defense, but not a cent for tribute!”

– Tribute = Bribe

• American People want war!• Adams does not ask congress for war

– But does build Frigates – Frigates = fast sailing ships with many guns

Alien and Sedition ActsThe Federalists manage to get four important laws

through congress:1. Alien Act

» President can force any alien (or foreigner), thought to be suspicious to leave

2. Naturalization Act» Must live in America for 14 years before becoming

an American

3. Alien Enemies Act» If an alien’s (foreigner’s) home land is at war with

the United States they could be sent back.

4. Sedition Act» Citizens can be fined or jailed if they criticize the

government

WHY IS THIS A PROBLEM?