Political Parties Emerge

Federalists vs. Democratic Republicans

Election 1796

Federalist nominated John Adams

Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson

Adams won the election with 71 votes to 68 for Jefferson

At this time person with second highest number of votes became VP

Pres. John Adams

Spent most of his life in public service

When he took office dispute w/ France was ongoing

XYZ Affair

French viewed Jay’s Treaty, as US helping Britain

French began to seize cargo ships

Adams wanted to avoid war

He sent men to try and resolve conflict

French foreign minister Charles de Talleyrand refused to meet with Americans

XYZ Affair

Talleyrand sent three French agents that demanded money

Adams was furious and called the agents XYZ

Urged Congress to Prepare for War

Problems with France

Congress established Navy Department & increased size of Army

For 2 years France and American naval vessels clashed

Peace agreement in 1800

France had become American enemy

Alien and Sedition Acts

Americans were suspicious of aliens

1798 Alien and Sedition Acts were passed, they were a strict group of measures on immigrants and aliens

Pg. 271

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798 &

1799They said that Alien and Sedition Acts violated the Constitution

Trying to protect individual rights