Political Parties and the Peaceful Transition of Power

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Political Parties and the Peaceful Transition of
Power
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A. John Adams becomes the 2nd President of the
United States

1. John Adams (Federalists) defeats Thomas Jefferson
   (Democratic Republican) by the narrowest margins
   to become President. The runner up would become
   Vice President.

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B. Jay Treaty causes tension with France

1. The Jay Treaty (1795) appeared to put the US on
   the side of the British during the French
   Revolutionary Wars. France began attacking
   American merchant ships.

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C. XYZ Affair

1. In 1797, Adams sent 3 diplomats to France. The
   agents from the French government demanded the US
   pay a bribe of 250,000. The names of the French
   agents were secret so they were nicknamed Agents
   X,Y, and Z.

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D. Adams increases the size of the Military and
avoids War

• Federalists wanted war with France after XYZ
  Affair
• Adams had 2 requests for Congress
• Increase the size of the army
• Rebuild the Navy and create a separate Department
  of the Navy

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• Between 1798-1800, US fought an undeclared naval
  war with France
• A US diplomat convinced Frances leader Napoleon
  Bonaparte to stop seizing ships, which avoided
  war.

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E. Political Turmoil for Adams

1. After the conflict with France, Federalists were
   fearful of immigrants that might try to overthrow
   the government. Federalists also feared that
   they would back the Democratic Republicans.

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1. Congress passed two acts to restore order at home
   and destroy their political opponents.

1. Alien Act-Increased length of time to become
   citizens from 5 to 14 years.
2. Sedition Act-Made it a crime for anyone to
   say/write harsh or untrue statements about the
   President, Congress, or the government.

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• Republicans denounced the Alien and Sedition Acts
  as they violated the 1st Amendment of the
  Constitution.
• Judicial review was not established so the
  Republicans used State legislatures to oppose the
  laws.

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1. The Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions were passed
   declaring the Alien and Sedition Acts as
   unconstitutional, believing they can nullify or
   overrule federal law.

1. No other state backed the two resolutions, but
   the Alien and Sedition Acts would both expire
   before 1802.

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F. Election of 1800

1. Thomas Jefferson would defeat the Incumbent
   President John Adams. Although he tied with his
   running mate, the House of Representatives chose
   Jefferson.

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1. It was the 1st transfer of power from one
   political party to the next.
2. Important because it was a peaceful transfer of
   power not known around the world.

• Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one
  heart and one mind.Every difference of opinion
  is not a difference of principle.We are all
  Republicans we are all Federalists.
• Thomas Jefferson,
• 1st Inaugural Address

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G. Revolution of 1800

• President Jeffersons goals
• Laissez Faire policy with the economy
• Reduced the size of the military and the
  government
• Limit federal governments power over the states
  and its citizens

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H. Marbury v. Madison

1. William Marbury was appointed as a federal judge
   by outgoing President John Adams.
2. James Madison, Jeffersons Secretary of State,
   was ordered to stop all appointments.

• Marbury sued under the Judiciary Act of 1789
• John Marshall, Chief Justice, speaking on behalf
  of the Supreme Court declared the Judiciary Act
  of 1789 as unconstitutional as the Supreme Court
  gets its power from the Constitution not from
  Congress.
• THIS DECISION CREATED JUDICIAL REVIEW