consider: Should the president, as the elected leader of the U.S., do what the people of the U.S. want? essential question: How did the precedents and other important accomplishments of the Federalist Period (1789-1820) help make the United States what it is today? PART 2: ADAM’S PRESIDENCY The XYZ Affair • the problem: the U.S. faced its most serious foreign affair yet—an undeclared naval war with France USS Boston, a 700ton 28-gun frigate, was built at Boston, Massachusetts, paid for by public subscription during the undeclared war with France. • what it was: when Adams sent a negotiating team to France, three French representative (later known as X, Y, and Z) demanded the U.S. pay a $250,000 bribe and provide a $10 million loan just to speak to someone Original caption: Cinque-tetes, or the Paris Monster. Political cartoon on the XYZ Affair showing staunch Americans resisting the threats and demands for money from Revolutionary France. • why this made Adams unpopular: this “XYZ affair” led to a popular demand for war, though Adams kept us out of war with France Booo-o-oo! Use the space provided to design a bumper sticker for your buggy that has a slogan that expresses the popular reaction to the XYZ Affair. Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute! The Alien and Sedition Acts • the problem: Adams, a Federalist, wanted to weaken the Republicans (most Republicans supported France) I’ll get you, Jefferson! • what they were: laws that made it tougher for immigrants (aliens) to become a citizens and vote; laws that made it a crime to speak out against the government (sedition) • why this made Adams unpopular: these gave the Federalists a reputation for abusing power to weaken their rivals How did the Alien Act weaken the Democratic-Republicans? How did the Sedition Act weaken the Democratic-Republicans? Write a comment that could get you arrested under the Alien and Sedition Acts (please keep it clean). Example: “Adams should be tarred and feathered.” The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions • the problem: Thomas Jefferson and James Madison wanted to speak out against Adams without violating the Sedition Act Don’t tell Adams we said it, but the Alien and Sedition Acts are wack! • what they were: Jefferson and Madison wrote resolutions criticizing the Alien and Sedition Acts; they then had the Virginia and Kentucky’s state legislatures adopt these resolutions; here, we first see the idea of nullification (states can declare a federal law null and void) • why this made Adams unpopular: these said the Acts violated the 1st Amendment right to freedom of expression; Adams looked bad because he could not enforce the Sedition Act against both states’ legislatures How would John Adams have reacted to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions? Why? Do you agree with the idea of nullification? Why or why not? Write the following terms in the blank where the term is being described: XYZ Affair; Alien and Sedition Acts; Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. Each term will be used more than once. How did each of these make Adams unpopular? This made Adams unpopular because he could not enforce the very laws he and his party passed. This made Adams unpopular because he did not go to war when American voters wanted to fight. This made Adams unpopular because he used his position in government to attack his political enemies. What did each define about the young U.S.? Presidents will often make a decision that they think is right rather than a popular decision. Elected officials sometimes abuse their power in order to limit the power of those that oppose them. Any laws that limit freedoms will meet resistance in America. State governments will often try to find ways to stop an unpopular federal law in their state.