John Adams

• Who was the president following George Washington?

  John Adams
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of following George Washington as president?

  Advantages:

  • Established credibility and trust
  • Continuation of Washington's policies

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • High expectations to meet
  • Potential for criticism and comparison
• What was problematic regarding the election of 1796?

  The President and Vice President could be from different political factions.
• What were John Adams' characteristics as a politician?

  He was an accomplished statesman but a poor politician.
• What cabinet problems did John Adams face?

  He inherited Washington's Cabinet and could not fire them.
• Who effectively controlled Adams' Cabinet?

  Alexander Hamilton
• When did Adams realize he could fire his Cabinet members?

  In 1799
• Who were the Federalist candidates in the election of 1796?

  John Adams and Thomas Pickney
• Who were the Republican candidates in the election of 1796?

  Thomas Jefferson, Aaron Burr, and George Clinton
• What issue did the election of 1796 highlight regarding the Electoral College?


  It exposed a flaw where the President and Vice President could be from different factions.
• What political party did John Adams belong to?

  Federalist
• What was the outcome of the election of 1796?

  Adams won the presidency, and Jefferson became Vice President.
• What was the main foreign policy issue during Adams' presidency?

  The XYZ Affair
• What was the historical context of the XYZ Affair?

  France and Britain were at war, and France seized US ships.
• What did Adams do in response to the XYZ Affair?

  He sent delegates to negotiate with the French.
• What bribe were the U.S. delegates asked to pay during the XYZ Affair?

  $240,000
• How did the American public react to the XYZ Affair?

  It stirred up public opinion against the French.
• What was Adams' stance on going to war after the XYZ Affair?

  He felt the country was not ready for war.
• What military actions did Adams take following the XYZ Affair?

  He pushed to enlarge the army and create a navy.
• What nickname was Adams given for his naval policies?

  'Father of the Navy'
• What was the outcome of the Quasi War with France?

  It led to an increase in Federalist power in Congress.
• What did Adams refuse to do during the Quasi War with France?

  Seek a declaration of war.
• What did Congress create in 1798 in response to the Quasi War?

  A department of the navy.
• What did Adams do in 1800 regarding negotiations with France?

  He sent another commission to negotiate with Napoleon.
• What was the result of the negotiations with Napoleon?

  A treaty was agreed upon, establishing new commercial agreements.
• What was the political context during Adams' presidency regarding dissenters?

  Political disagreement over support for the French Revolution deepened divides.
• What did the Federalists in Congress pass during Adams' presidency?

  A series of laws to restrict immigration and freedom of speech.
• What were the Alien Acts of 1798?

  They made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and easier to deport them.
• How long did immigrants have to wait to become citizens under the Alien Acts?

  14 years
• What were the Sedition Acts?

  They made it a crime to publish false or malicious writings about the government.
• What was the expiration date of the Sedition Acts?

  March 4th, 1801
• What was the impact of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

  Many foreigners chose to leave, and several Republican editors were arrested.
• What message did Adams convey by signing the Alien and Sedition Acts on July 14th, 1798?

  He prioritized national security over individual rights.
• What were the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

  They argued that the Sedition Act was unconstitutional and stressed states' rights.
• Who penned the Kentucky Resolution?

  Thomas Jefferson
• Who penned the Virginia Resolution?

  James Madison
• What was the significance of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

  They highlighted the controversy over the balance of power between states and the federal government.
• Why was the Election of 1800 known as the 'Revolution' of 1800?

  It marked a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.
• What was the historical context of the cotton gin's invention?

  The success of cotton planting was at stake due to declining tobacco profits.
• Who invented the cotton gin?

  Eli Whitney