John Adams PDF

BACKGROUND October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826 Teacher turned lawyer from Massachusetts Married to Abigail Adams; 6 children Represented the British soldiers of the Boston Massacre; six were acquitted and two convicted Helped write Declaration of Independence; Served as Vic...

BACKGROUND October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826 Teacher turned lawyer from Massachusetts Married to Abigail Adams; 6 children Represented the British soldiers of the Boston Massacre; six were acquitted and two convicted Helped write Declaration of Independence; Served as Vice President for eight years; Federalist  Odd 1/3 ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS While Adams was in office, Congress passed a series of laws known as the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Alien Acts : targeted non-citizens (called “aliens”) by lengthening the time it took to become a citizen and allowing the president to either jail or deport aliens who were suspected of stirring up trouble.  Even 2/3 ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS The Sedition Acts : made sedition - encouraging rebellion against the government - a crime. Hamilton approved this law thinking it would punish those who published vicious lies intended to destroy the government. Instead, these laws were used to punish Republican newspaper editors who insulted Adams.  Odd 3/3 ALIEN & SEDITION ACTS (Democratic-) Republicans viewed the Sedition Act as an attack on freedom of speech and the press. They argued that they were UNCONSTITUTIONAL and that states therefore had the duty to nullify (not follow, or cancel) these laws. Jefferson and Madison drafted state resolutions: which argued about that states had the right to judge whether the federal government is acting CONSTITUTIONALLY. This was the first example of the the conflict between the states and the federal government, and no solution was found.  Odd 1/1 FOREIGN POLICY Cause: Adams attempted to follow Washington’s policy of neutrality, but it proved difficult when dealing with France and England. While in office, Washington had negotiated a peace treaty with England regarding lands in the Ohio Valley. France viewed this treaty as a betrayal by the United States and over the next year, they seized over three hundred U.S. ships. Adams sent three representatives to France to negotiate peace. French Foreign Minister Talleyrand refused to meet them and sent secret agents to the U.S. instead.  Even 1/2 XYZ AFFAIR Cause Continued: While French ships were attacking US ships, the spies sent from France (called X, Y and Z) told Adams that no peace talks would start unless the US paid France a large tribute (money). X Y Z Americans were outraged by France’s actions and soon, war fever was sweeping the nation. As the nation prepared for war with France, Adams suddenly found himself widely popular with the people. Still, Adams worried about whether war was really the best thing for the new country.  Odd 2/2 XYZ AFFAIR Decision: In February 1799, Adams announced that he was sending a peace mission to France. The new French leader, Napoleon, was eager to make peace but also decided to end France’s alliance with the United States. Effect: In exchange for peace, Adams agreed not to make France pay for the ships they’d seized; this meant that the U.S. government had to pay the ship owners for their lost property. Adams considered this a small price to pay for peace, but he also lost popularity, and ultimately, reelection.  Even 1/1 END OF TERM Cause: Adams’ decision to work for peace with France cost him his political popularity and caused strong disagreements within the Federalist party. When Adams ran for reelection in 1800, he lost to Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, and watched as his Federalist Party slowly faded away. Decision/Effect: Adams left the nation at peace and with no permanent alliance that might drag it into war. He remained proud of his accomplishments despite his negative reputation. NO REGRETS RAGRATS I will defend my missions to France, as long as I have an eye to direct my hand, or a finger to hold my pen...I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: “Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of the peace with France in the PUT IT year 1800.” ON MY Facts are stubborn things; and GRAVE whatever may be our wishes, BRUH our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts or evidence. In politics, the middle way is none at all.  DEATH ON THE 4TH OF JULY Although Adams and Jefferson had become political rivals, they both sought to renew their friendship in retirement. As the last two surviving American revolutionaries, they began to write each other. On July 4, 1826, when Adams was on his deathbed, the last words he muttered were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” He was wrong. Jefferson had died just five hours earlier at Monticello, his estate in Virginia.