8th Grade Civics

1. In 1793, with revolution still
happening, the French declared war
on Great Britain, Spain, and Holland.
The declaration of war presented a
challenge for President Washington
We have too
many problems
to deal with a
war oversees

2. Thomas Jefferson was strongly
opposed to any U.S. action that
might interfere with the French
Revolution
Don’t mess
with the
French
Hamilton, reminded
Washington that Great Britain
was the main trading partner
of the United States.
Remember
the
economy
We will remain
neutral

3. Washington’s declaration of neutrality
did not stop the British navy from
boarding U.S. ships leaving the
French West Indies. The British then
claimed (took) the cargo on these
ships
More problems, I
cannot wait to
retire

4. Washington sent John Jay, chief
justice of the Supreme Court, to
England for negotiations with the
British.
Jay reached an agreement with the
British called Jay’s Treaty. As part of this
treaty, the British agreed to leave the
Northwest Territory by 1796.
They also agreed to pay damages to
American traders whose cargoes had
been seized and to allow the United
States to establish trade with England
and the British East Indies.
Jay failed to persuade the British to
open trade between the British West
Indies and the United States
Maybe, not a
great deal

5. 1796

6. XYZ Affair
Cause: Tension with France
The situation became more strained when France began
seizing American ships.
These French agents tried to extort a large bribe from the
Americans, stating that the money would be the only thing to
repair relations between the two countries.
In an effort to keep peace, President John Adams
sent three diplomats to France in 1797.
The American diplomats were unable to meet with France’s
foreign minister. Instead, they met with French secret
agents. Adams later named these agents X, Y, and Z.

7. XYZ Affair
Effect: After this affair, which was made public in 1798,
many Federalists wanted to declare war on France.
President Adams worked to stay officially neutral, but the
United States still found itself in an undeclared conflict with
France
In the Convention of 1800, the issues were finally settled.
The shaky alliance between the two countries was
tempered, and the conflict came to an end.

8. The Alien and Sedition Acts were four laws passed by the U.S.
Congress, which at the time was controlled by the Federalist
Party, in 1798.
One of the laws was a naturalization act. It stated that foreigners
had to live in the United States for 14 years before they could
become citizens
Another law, the Alien Act, stated that the president could
deport any foreigner who was seen as dangerous.
The fourth act, the Sedition Act, stated that the government
could punish people who conspired against or published lies
about the government.
The third law, the Alien Enemies Act, stated that citizens of
countries that were enemies of the United States could be
arrested or deported.
Vs.

9. Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions said the Constitution
was created by an agreement of the states.
Because of that States had the right to rule on whether or
not a law was constitutional.
In this case, they said that the Alien and Sedition Acts
were not constitutional because they violated the Bill of
Rights.
The resolutions did not have the power to change the
federal laws, but they supported the idea of greater
states’ rights in terms of federal power.
Nullify---deprive of legal force, a law
passed by Congress
Things are
finally
going my
way