John Adams Presidency (1797-1801)

• John Adams was the second U.S. president, serving from 1797-1801.
• His presidency was largely dictated by foreign policy, particularly the Quasi-War with France.
• Adams attempted to ease tensions with France via the XYZ Affair.
• The U.S. envoy was met by French foreign minister representatives known as X, Y, and Z.
• These representatives demanded a bribe and other concessions, which were viewed as insulting.
• The Quasi-War led the Federalist Congress to pass the Alien and Sedition Acts.
• These acts were largely seen as unconstitutional.
• Adams lost his reelection to Thomas Jefferson as a result.
• The Alien and Sedition Acts comprised four laws: the Naturalization Act, Alien Friends Act, Alien Enemies Act, and Sedition Act.
• In his final months, Adams appointed numerous judges to the federal judiciary, known as the Midnight Appointments.
• This ensured Federalist representation in the government's judicial branch.
• President Thomas Jefferson took office in 1801 and promised to reduce the government's size, including executive powers.
• Jefferson resumed the capitol building project and designed additions to the White House.
• The 1803 Louisiana Purchase sparked controversy, with many questioning the president's constitutional authority to make such a decision.
• His political adversaries in the Essex Junto conspired with Vice President Aaron Burr in a plot for New York to secede.
• Burr fled west and hatched the Burr Conspiracy, aiming to seize land from Spain.
• Jefferson attempted to convict Burr of treason but lacked sufficient evidence.
• The Lewis and Clark Expedition returned from exploring the Louisiana Territory, spurring westward migration.
• The Pike Expedition explored the southern border of the territory and acquired military intelligence on the Spanish empire in North America after being arrested.
• President Jefferson signed a bill banning the importation of slaves into the U.S. starting in 1808.
• The War of 1812 was a conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain in the early 19th century.
• In the early 19th century, Britain was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.
• The United States was caught between France and Britain as they attempted to cut off trade with one another.
• Native American peoples, led by Tecumseh, resisted American westward expansion.
• Future President William Henry Harrison led a militia against Tecumseh's forces at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
• James Madison succeeded Thomas Jefferson as the 4th president in 1809.
• Madison declared war against Great Britain on June 18, 1812, due to pressure from Congressional War Hawks.
• President Madison thought the War of 1812 would be quick because the British were occupied with war with France.
• Early American invasions of British Canada failed.
• A major naval victory occurred at the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813.
• The British captured and burned Washington, D.C. in August 1814.
• The Americans defended Fort McHenry at nearby Baltimore.
• The Americans, led by future President Andrew Jackson, won a major victory at the Battle of New Orleans, after the war had ended.
• The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, restoring the pre-war status quo.
• Native American peoples had significantly less power to resist American westward expansion after the war.
• A framework for improved relations between Great Britain and the United States was created.
• The U.S. and Great Britain would gradually become strong allies.
• The Whig Party existed in the U.S. from 1834 to 1854.
• During the Era of Good Feelings, the Democratic Party splintered between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson in the 1828 election.
• Andrew Jackson advocated for the average American and defied Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court.
• The Whig Party formed in response to Jackson's king-like actions.
• The Whigs took their name from the Scottish term whiggamore, originating from defiance against the British monarchy.
• The Whigs opposed Jackson's use of the spoils system, over usage of vetos, defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court over Native American removal, and disregard for Congress.
• The core value of the Whig Party was opposition to Andrew Jackson.
• The Whigs also supported the Second National Bank, protective tariffs for manufacturing, and controlled westward expansion.
• The elections of 1840 and 1848 saw Whig presidential victories.
• Division over slavery was a key issue, with some Whigs opposing expansion and others supporting it.
• The Whig Party ended in 1854 with the adoption of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act supported popular sovereignty, or the states' right to vote on the issue of slavery.
• When the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was repealed, many anti-slavery Whig members joined together and formed the Republican Party in 1854.
• The battle over the Bank of the United States was part of the political struggles of Andrew Jackson's administration.
• This battle left a lasting legacy on America's financial future.
• The Industrial Revolution in America occurred roughly from 1865 to 1900.
• The process of industrialization in the United States spanned a longer period of time.
• The industrial revolution started in Great Britain in the early-to-mid 19th century.
• Several British inventions were brought to the U.S. and inspired the industrialization of different industries.
• The cotton gin significantly increased cotton production and was invented by Eli Whitney.
• New goods and products were transported by steamboats on rivers and canals.
• Over time, the railroad industry expanded, replaced steamboats, and drastically improved transportation.
• The Industrial Revolution impacted production methods like the assembly line and interchangeable parts, leading to mass production of goods.
• Interchangeable parts were a cost-effective and productive method of the American system.
• Factory life involved long hours and poor working conditions.
• Without health and safety regulations, factory owners did not have any guidelines regarding the conditions in their factories.

John Adams, the second U.S. president, faced challenges primarily in foreign policy, including the Quasi-War with France and the controversial XYZ Affair. The Federalist Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, widely seen as unconstitutional. In his final months, Adams made numerous Midnight Appointments to maintain Federalist representation.