John Adams Presidency: The XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts | History with Ms. H

Summary

This video explores key events during John Adams' presidency, focusing on the XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Adams faced foreign challenges, including tensions with France, leading to the XYZ Affair, where French diplomats demanded bribes. Domestically, the controversial Alien and Sedition Acts aimed to control immigrants and limit dissent, prompting backlash from Jefferson and Madison, who argued these laws were unconstitutional. This video discusses the emergence of political parties, Adams' presidency, and the doctrine of nullification, which would later influence U.S. history.

Takeaways

• 📜 John Adams became the second U.S. president in 1796, representing the Federalist Party, while Thomas Jefferson represented the Democratic-Republican Party.
• ⚖️ Adams was elected president with 51% of the electoral vote, with Jefferson, the runner-up, becoming vice president.
• 🌍 The major foreign policy issue during Adams' presidency was the XYZ Affair, a diplomatic conflict with France.
• 🇫🇷 The XYZ Affair began when French diplomats demanded a bribe from American envoys to stop the impressment of U.S. sailors.
• 💰 Americans were outraged by the bribe demand, leading to the slogan: 'Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute.'
• 🛑 The Alien and Sedition Acts were enacted in response to fears of foreign influence and espionage, targeting immigrants and limiting free speech.
• ⏳ The Alien Acts extended the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 14 years and allowed the president to deport suspicious non-citizens.
• 📰 The Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize the president or Congress in the press, sparking controversy over freedom of speech.
• 📜 The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, written by Jefferson and Madison, argued that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.
• ⚠️ The doctrine of nullification introduced in the Resolutions became a recurring issue, eventually leading to tensions before the Civil War.

Q & A

What was the XYZ Affair?

The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic conflict between the United States and France during John Adams' presidency. French diplomats demanded a bribe from American envoys to stop the impressment of American sailors, which outraged Americans and increased tensions between the two nations.

Why were the French angry about Jay's Treaty?

The French were angry about Jay's Treaty because they saw it as a sign that the U.S. was aligning with Britain, their enemy during the ongoing war. The U.S. claimed neutrality, but the treaty enhanced trade relations with Britain, leading France to retaliate by impressing American sailors.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

The Alien and Sedition Acts were laws passed by the Federalists to weaken the Democratic-Republican Party and increase federal power. The Alien Acts extended the residency requirement for citizenship, and gave the government the power to deport non-citizens. The Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize the government.

How did the XYZ Affair impact American politics?

The XYZ Affair heightened fear of foreign influence, particularly from French immigrants. As a result, the Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, which targeted immigrants and limited freedom of the press, aiming to reduce the influence of Democratic-Republicans who supported France.

What was the purpose of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. They introduced the doctrine of nullification, asserting that states could overturn federal laws that exceeded constitutional limits.

Why were the Alien Acts passed, and what did they aim to achieve?

The Alien Acts were passed to reduce the influence of immigrants, particularly those who supported the Democratic-Republican Party. The laws extended the time required for immigrants to become citizens and gave the president power to deport non-citizens, especially in times of war.

What was the significance of the Sedition Act?

The Sedition Act was significant because it made it illegal to publish criticism of the president or Congress, directly limiting freedom of the press. It targeted Democratic-Republican critics, making it one of the most controversial laws passed during Adams' presidency.

How did the political party system evolve during John Adams' presidency?

During John Adams' presidency, clear divisions emerged between the Federalists, led by Adams, and the Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson. These two parties represented differing views on government power, foreign policy, and civil liberties, marking the beginning of the U.S. political party system.

Why did John Adams only serve one term as president?

John Adams served only one term because his presidency was marred by conflicts like the XYZ Affair and the unpopular Alien and Sedition Acts, which alienated both political opponents and many citizens. In the 1800 election, Thomas Jefferson defeated him, marking the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

What was the doctrine of nullification, and why was it important?

The doctrine of nullification, introduced in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, argued that states had the right to nullify or overturn federal laws deemed unconstitutional. This idea became increasingly significant leading up to the Civil War, as states used it to resist federal authority.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to John Adams' Presidency and Key Questions

The video begins by introducing the topic of John Adams' presidency, highlighting key foreign and domestic policy concerns. Viewers are instructed to answer three important questions by the end: the XYZ Affair, the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Additionally, the speaker encourages interaction by leaving comments for questions and subscribing for more history content.

05:01

🇺🇸 John Adams: The First Single-Term President and Election of 1796

John Adams became the second U.S. president after Washington, winning the 1796 election as the Federalist candidate. His main opponent, Thomas Jefferson, represented the Democratic-Republican Party. Adams won 51% of the electoral vote, securing the presidency, while Jefferson, receiving the second-highest votes, became vice president, despite their differing political affiliations. The emerging division between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties became evident during this period.

⚖️ Early Election Procedures and Political Rivalries

The election process at the time differed significantly from today, with the vice president being the runner-up in the electoral vote count. This resulted in a situation where Adams, a Federalist, had Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, as his vice president. The speaker notes the tension between having leaders from two opposing parties in the same administration, hinting that this dynamic was problematic during Adams' presidency.

🌍 Foreign Policy Focus: The XYZ Affair

The primary foreign policy issue during Adams' presidency was the XYZ Affair. Tensions with France arose after the U.S. signed Jay's Treaty with Britain, angering the French who were at war with Britain. In retaliation, France began impressing American sailors. Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France, but they were met with demands for a bribe, known as the XYZ Affair. This insulted Americans, leading to cries of 'millions for defense, not a cent for tribute.' Although war was avoided, this event had significant political consequences at home.

📰 Domestic Impact: Alien and Sedition Acts

In response to the XYZ Affair and fears of French influence, Federalists passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws aimed to weaken the Democratic-Republican Party by targeting immigrants, many of whom supported the party. The Alien Acts extended the time required for immigrants to apply for citizenship and gave the president authority to deport non-citizens suspected of anti-government activities. Though no immigrants were deported, these acts slowed the growth of the Democratic-Republicans.

✒️ The Controversial Sedition Act

The Sedition Act was the most infamous of the Alien and Sedition Acts. It made it illegal to criticize the president or Congress in print, though it notably excluded criticism of the vice president, who was Thomas Jefferson. This act was seen as a blatant attempt by the Federalists to suppress dissent, particularly against their political rivals.

📜 Jefferson's and Madison's Response: Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

In reaction to the Alien and Sedition Acts, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison authored the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. They argued that the federal government had overstepped its constitutional authority, as the acts violated the First Amendment and limited states' rights. The resolutions introduced the concept of nullification, claiming that states could overturn unconstitutional federal laws. This doctrine would later resurface in U.S. history, particularly as tensions grew toward the Civil War.

🎥 Conclusion and Preview of Future Topics

The video wraps up by emphasizing the importance of the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions as the first instance of nullification, a theme that would continue to be relevant as the U.S. approached the Civil War. The speaker hints that this topic will be explored in future videos and encourages viewers to participate in class discussions.

Keywords

💡XYZ Affair

The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between the United States and France during John Adams' presidency. It occurred when French diplomats demanded a bribe from American representatives in order to negotiate peace. This led to public outrage in the U.S. and contributed to tensions with France. The affair is central to the video's discussion on foreign policy and how it affected the relationship between the U.S. and France.

💡Alien and Sedition Acts

The Alien and Sedition Acts were a series of laws passed by the Federalists during John Adams' presidency. These acts extended the residency requirement for immigrants and gave the government power to deport foreign nationals and punish those who criticized the government. The Sedition Act, in particular, made it illegal to criticize the president, which raised concerns about freedom of speech. These acts are discussed as a response to fears of foreign influence and internal dissent.

💡Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were political statements written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. They argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. This doctrine of nullification became significant later in U.S. history, particularly in the lead-up to the Civil War. In the video, it is used to illustrate the growing tension between state and federal powers.

💡Federalists

The Federalists were one of the first political parties in the United States, led by figures like John Adams. They supported a strong central government and were often in favor of policies that strengthened federal authority. In the video, the Federalists are portrayed as being in power during Adams' presidency, and they passed controversial legislation such as the Alien and Sedition Acts to maintain control.

💡Democratic-Republicans

The Democratic-Republican Party, led by Thomas Jefferson, was the political rival to the Federalists. They favored a more decentralized government and opposed many of the Federalist policies, including the Alien and Sedition Acts. The video discusses the tension between these two parties, especially the fact that Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, was Adams' vice president, creating conflict in the administration.

💡Impressment

Impressment refers to the act of forcing individuals into military service, particularly sailors. In the context of the video, the impressment of American sailors by both the British and the French is a significant foreign policy issue. This practice by the French during Adams' presidency led to diplomatic tensions and ultimately the XYZ Affair.

💡Nullification

Nullification is the idea that states have the right to invalidate any federal law deemed unconstitutional. This concept was introduced in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. The video highlights nullification as an important legal and political doctrine that would resurface throughout U.S. history, especially in the context of states' rights and the Civil War.

💡Electoral Vote

The electoral vote is the system used to elect the president of the United States. During the 1796 election, John Adams won the presidency by securing the majority of electoral votes, but the system at the time also made Thomas Jefferson, from the opposing party, his vice president. This system, which has since been changed, created political tensions between the president and vice president.

💡Jay's Treaty

Jay's Treaty was an agreement between the U.S. and Britain that aimed to resolve lingering conflicts from the American Revolutionary War and improve trade relations. However, it angered France, which viewed the treaty as a betrayal. The video discusses how the treaty contributed to the XYZ Affair and the strained relations between the U.S. and France during Adams' presidency.

💡First Amendment

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedoms of speech, press, and assembly. In the video, the Sedition Act is criticized as a violation of the First Amendment because it made it illegal to publish criticism of the president or Congress. This infringement on free speech was a central issue for the Democratic-Republicans and led to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.

Highlights

Introduction to John Adams' presidency and key foreign and domestic policy concerns.

By the end of the video, viewers should be able to answer three key questions: What was the XYZ affair? What were the Alien and Sedition Acts? What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

John Adams became the first and only Federalist president of the United States after winning 51% of the electoral vote in 1796.

Political divisions were emerging during Adams' presidency, with Adams representing the Federalists and Thomas Jefferson leading the Democratic-Republicans.

Foreign policy: The XYZ affair was a major diplomatic incident where French diplomats demanded a bribe from American negotiators, leading to outrage in the U.S.

The XYZ affair escalated tensions between the U.S. and France, and despite not going to war, it had significant political repercussions.

The Federalist Party, fearful of French immigrants, passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in response to growing tensions.

The Alien Acts extended the residency requirement for immigrants to become U.S. citizens from 5 to 14 years and gave the president power to deport immigrants from enemy nations.

The Sedition Act made it illegal to publish anything critical of the president, Congress, or government laws, infringing on the freedom of the press.

The Sedition Act did not protect criticism of Vice President Thomas Jefferson, leading to further political controversy.

In response to the Alien and Sedition Acts, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison authored the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.

The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions argued that the federal government had overstepped its constitutional authority by passing the Alien and Sedition Acts.

The Resolutions introduced the concept of 'nullification,' where states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

The XYZ affair, Alien and Sedition Acts, and Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions all contributed to deepening political divisions in the U.S.

The ideas of nullification from the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions would resurface later in U.S. history, especially as the country approached the Civil War.

Transcripts

Hi and welcome to class today. Today we're going to be going over the major

foreign and domestic policy concerns from John Adams

presidency. At the end of the video, they're going to be three

things you'll need to be able to tell me, so let's get started while

you're watching the video today. If you have any questions, do not hesitate

to leave them in the comments below. I'll get back to you as soon as

possible. And don't forget to hit subscribe so you can be notified

about more history videos coming your way. By the

end of the video, there are three questions you'll need to be able to answer.

First, what was the XYZ affair? Second,

what were alien and sedition acts acts? And third,

what were the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions?

John Adams was the second president of the United States.

He was elected after Washington stepped down from office

in 1796 and was our first single term

president. During the election of 1796,

we begin to see clear divisions in the young United States

and the emergence of political parties. John Adams

represented the federalist party, while Thomas Jefferson represented

the Democratic Republican Party. Adams won

many of the northern states, while Jefferson won most

of the south. In the end, John Adams won

51% of the electoral vote, becoming the

first and only federalist president.

At the time, elections were held differently than they are today.

John Adams got a majority of the electoral votes, so he became president.

We still do that today. But John Adams

didn't run with a running mate like presidents do today. Instead,

the vice president was selected by the person who got the second

most electoral vote. So adams'vice president became

Thomas Federalist vs. Democratic Republicans can you

imagine if the president and the vice president were from two

different political parties today? Things would

not go well and it didn't then either. We'll come back to

this later in the video. We're going to start by focusing

on the major foreign policy issue during Adam's presidency.

Remember, foreign policy are the things that impact the

United States and other countries. The major

foreign policy event that happened during Adam's presidency was

the XYZ affair.

Think back to Washington's presidency. Britain was impressing

or kidnapping american sailors. To solve this

issue, Britain and the United States signed Jay's

treaty. This made the French angry because they viewed the

treaty as the United States siding with Britain while Britain and

France were at war. The US claimed to be neutral,

but they were signing treaties with Britain that helped trade between the

two countries. So France retaliated by impressing american

sailors. John Adams sent three diplomats to France to

try and negotiate peace and avoid war. He was trying to

follow Washington's advice to stay neutral and stay out. XYZ affair

in Europe during the meeting, the french diplomats demanded

a bribe from the Americans to stop the impressment of sailors.

Not the best plan they could have come up with. American newspapers

began publishing what the French had done, referring to the french diplomats

as X, Y, and Z, hence calling it the XYZ

affair. Americans were outraged, insulted by

the demands. People cried, millions for defense,

not $0.01 for tribute. Meaning they would rather spend millions fighting

a war than pay the French a bribe. Washington himself

was even ready to come out of retirement to fight the French.

Months later, the diplomats met again and were able to reach

a peace agreement. Even though they didn't

go to war, the XYZ affair still had a major impact on

politics at home. Federalists began to

see immigrants, especially those from France,

as possible threats and spies leading a french

invasion. As response to this fear,

the Federalists in Congress passed alien and Sedition

acts. Acts. These were a series of laws that were designed,

in part, to strengthen the power of the Federalists and

weaken the democratic Republicans who were led by

Jefferson. The alien Acts did three things.

First, they extended the time immigrants had to live

in the United States before they could apply for citizenship,

from five years to 14 years. Second,

they gave Congress the power to arrest or deport any

male citizen from a foreign country with which the

United States was at war. This means that if the

US had gone to war with France, Congress could arrest or deport

any male french immigrant, even if they had not broken the law.

And finally, they gave the president the power to deport any non

citizen suspected of plotting against the US

for the next two years. Because the United States

didn't end up going to war with anyone, and due to the time constraints

on the alien Acts, no immigrants were actually deported.

However, because most immigrants supported the Democratic

Republican Party, party, growth slowed as a result of the alien

acts. While the alien acts were controversial, the Sedition

act became the most infamous part of these laws.

The Sedition act made it illegal to publish anything that

criticized the president, Congress, or the laws

it created. Interestingly enough,

the vice president was not protected from criticism.

Remember, the vice president was Thomas Jefferson. Who? Federalist vs.

Democratic Republicans and not a federalist.

This seems a bit fishy. In response to the alien in

sedition, X, Jefferson and James Madison, another prominent

Democratic Republican, wrote the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions.

These argued that the government's power was limited to only

what the Constitution said it could do. Since the Constitution did

not give the federal government power to limit immigration or the

press. Their actions were unconstitutional.

The sedition acts were a direct violation of the First Amendment

protection of freedom of the press. And since the Alien

and Sedition acts were unconstitutional, the states had the

right to nullify or legally overturn the alien and

Sedition acts. The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions would become

very important because they were the first instance of the doctrine of

nullification. This idea that the states can nullify

federal laws will come back again and again as the US

inches closer and closer to the civil war.

More on that in later videos and I will see you in class.