1. CH9 Section 4notes
How did John Adams handle the conflict with France?
• France objected to Jay’s Treaty. The French said it favored Britain.
• French ships began to seize American ships.
• Adams sent diplomats to Paris to discuss the rights of neutral nations.
• The French foreign minister sent three agents to offer the Americans a deal. The agents asked for a
$250,000 bribe and a $10 million loan to France before they would talk.
• Adams told Congress. Because he called the French agents X, Y, and Z, the incident became
known as the XYZ Affair.
• The country would not pay the bribe, but Adams refused to ask Congress to declare war on France.
• Instead, Adams strengthened the navy by building frigates, fast-sailing ships with many guns.
Why did the Federalist party split?
The Federalist Party Splits
Hamilton and his Federalist supporters wanted a Adams and his Federalist supporters wanted to
war with France. avoid war with France.
• War with France would weaken the • Adams wanted to keep the country out of
Republican party. European affairs.
• War would force the United States to build • He sent American diplomats to France. The
up its military forces. This would increase new French leader agreed to stop seizing
federal power. American ships.
How did the Alien and Sedition acts raise the issue of the rights
of states?
During the crisis with France, Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition acts.
Alien Act
• The President could expel any alien thought to be dangerous to the country.
• The number of years immigrants had to wait to become citizens was raised from 5 to 14.
Sedition Act
• Sedition means stirring up rebellion against a government. Under this law, citizens could be fined
or jailed for criticizing the government or its officials.
Jefferson and the Republicans opposed the Alien and Sedition acts. Jefferson argued that states had the right to
nullify, or cancel, a law passed by the federal government. Kentucky and Virginia passed resolutions supporting
Jefferson’s view.
Kentucky and Virginia resolutions
• These resolutions claimed that each state “has an equal right to judge for itself” whether a law is
constitutional.
• If a state decides a law is unconstitutional, the state can nullify that law within its borders.These
resolutions raised the issue of states’ rights. Does the federal government have only those powers listed in
the Constitution? If so, the states possess all other powers.
What role did Congress play in the election of 1800?
• Republicans backed Thomas Jefferson for President and Aaron Burr for Vice President. Federalists supported John
Adams.
• Republicans won the popular vote.
• In the electoral college, Jefferson and Burr each received 73 votes.
• The election went to the House of Representatives to decide.
• After four days and 36 votes, the House chose Jefferson as President and Burr as Vice President.