DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=TX-A SECTION VT John Adams’s 4 NH 6 MA 4 NY 16 12 RI TEKS 5A, 5C, 5E Presidency 4 PA CT DR-14 NJ 9 F-1 7 What You Will Learn… TERRITORY NORTHWEST DE 3 70º W If YOU were there... OF OHIO RIVER Main Ideas You are a newspaper editor in Virginia in 1798. You’ve joined Jef- VA MD DR-20 DR-4 1. The rise of political parties ferson’s political party, which opposes the new president. In fact, KY F-1 F-7 created competition in the 4 NC DR-11 election of 1796. your paper has printed many articles that criticize him, calling him TN F-1 3 2. The XYZ affair caused greedy and foolish. You believe that’s your right in a free country. SC problems for President 8 John Adams. But now Congress has passed a law that makes it illegal to criticize SOUTHWEST GA 3. Controversy broke out over the government. You could be arrested for your articles! TERRITORY 4 the Alien and Sedition Acts. Would you stop criticizing the government? Why? The Big Idea N The development of political par- E ties in the United States contrib- 90º W W S uted to differing ideas about the BUILDING BACKGROUND People within the new United States role of the federal government. had differing viewpoints on many issues. Personal rivalries among political leaders also created divisions in the new nation. Trying to Key Terms limit dissent in the country, the federal government passed several political parties, p. 250 unpopular laws. Federalist Party, p. 250 Democratic-Republican Party, p. 250 XYZ affair, p. 252 Alien and Sedition Acts, p. 253 The Election of 1796 Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, The election of 1796 began a new era in U.S. politics. For the first p. 253 time, more than one candidate ran for president. Political parties, groups that help elect people and shape policies, had begun to form HRW Middle School American History during Washington’s presidency. Despite Washington’sah06se_c06map0 warnings 11 ga.ai They are 2 separate rivers - Potomac and Tennessee River about political parties, the rivalry between two parties Fedominatedderalists & Republicans Map Live Area: 8.25” wide X 5.5” high + 10p each side Use the graphic organizer online the 1796 election. F3 - 11 /02/04, 12/01/04 to take notes on the two political Alexander Hamilton helped found the Federalist Party, which parties that emerged during the wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and election of 1796, their views of government, their candidates, and trade. The Federalists chose John Adams and Thomas Pinckney as the outcome of the election. candidates. Adams knew he was not well liked in the South or the West, but he hoped people would support him after they thought about his years of loyal public service. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison founded the Democratic- Republican Party. Its members, called Republicans, wanted to limit the federal government’s power. (This party is not related to today’s Republican Party.) They chose Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr as their candidates. 250 CHAPTER 7 DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=TX-A The First Political Parties, 1796 VT 4 NH 6 MA NY 16 Federalists/North 12 RI 4 PA CT DR-14 NJ 9 F-1 7 TERRITORY NORTHWEST DE 3 70º W OF OHIO RIVER VA MD DR-20 DR-4 KY F-1 F-7 4 NC DR-11 Alexander Hamilton John Adams John Jay TN F-1 3 SC 8 Republicans/South SOUTHWEST GA Federalist TERRITORY 4 (Adams) Democratic- Republican (Jefferson) 11 Number of electoral votes N 0 150 300 Miles E W 90º W 0 150 300 Kilometers S Thomas Jefferson James Madison Albert Gallatin GEOGRAPHY SKILLS INTERPRETING MAPS Region Which political party had more electoral votes in 1796? Party differences were based partly on President Adams and the where and how people lived. Businesspeople in the cities tended to support the Federalists. XYZ Affair ah06se_c06map011ga_leg.ai Federalists & Republicans Legend John Adams had the challenging task of fol- Farmers in more isolated areas generally Map Live Area: 8.25" wide x 5.5" high + 10p each side favored the Democratic-Republicans. Both sides lowing Washington as president. The peoplefinal proof: 08/26/04 HRW Middle School American History attacked each other. Republicans called Adams had adored Washington. Adams would have ah06se_c06map011 ga.ai a royalist—an insult to a man so involved in Theyto arework 2 separate hard to rivers win - thePotomac people’s and Tennessee trust. River Federalists & Republicans Map Live Area: 8.25” wide X 5.5” high +the 10p Revolution. each side The Federalists accused the F3 - 11 /02/04, 12/01/04 Republicans of favoring the French. A New President In the end, Adams defeated Jefferson. At first glance, John Adams did not appear At the time, the person who came in sec- well suited for the presidency. Although ond in a presidential election became vice Adams had been a leading Patriot dur- president. So, after months of campaigning ing the American Revolution and had against one another, Adams and Jefferson later served as a foreign diplomat, he lacked took office together. Washington’s dignity, and most people saw him as a cold and distant person. Still, many READING CHECK Finding Main Ideas people—even those who opposed him— How did the election of 1796 change the nature respected Adams. They recognized his hard of politics in the United States? work, honesty, and intelligence. LAUNCHING THE NATION 251 DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=TX-A Primary Source The French government also wanted a loan of $12 million. The amazed diplomats POLITICAL CARTOON refused these demands. The XYZ Affair In March 1798 President Adams told Congress that the peace-seeking mission had After the XYZ affair, French ships continued to attack American merchant ships. In this cartoon, the United States is repre- failed. He described the French terms, substi- sented by the woman. The men, symbolizing the French, are tuting the letters X, Y, and Z for the names taking valuables from her. The people in the distance are of the French agents. Upon hearing the dis- other European nations. graceful news, Federalists in Congress called for war with France. The XYZ affair, as the French demand for a bribe came to be called, outraged the American public. “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute!” became the rally- ing cry of the American people. Preparations for War Fearing war, Adams asked Congress to expand the navy to a fleet of more than 30 ships. He thought war with France might be unavoidable. He also decided the United These people aren’t States should keep a peacetime army. Con- helping the woman. What gress approved both measures. Why do you think this do you think the cartoon Although Adams had asked Congress is suggesting by this? man is encouraging the for military support, he did not want to go woman to look away? to war with France. He was worried about ANALYSIS its cost. And he remembered Washington’s SKILL INTERPRETING POLITICAL CARTOONS warning to remain neutral. So he did not ask How does the cartoon show that America is being Congress to declare war. Instead, he tried to preyed upon by the French? reopen peace talks with France. The United States and France Peace Efforts One of Adams’s first goals as president was to Adams’s decision not to declare war stunned improve the relationship between the United Federalists. Despite intense pressure from States and France. You may remember that members of his own party, Adams refused to the French had once tried to hire American change his mind. privateers to help them fight Great Britain, a American and French ships, however, practice Washington frowned upon. Adams began fighting each other in the Caribbean. sent U.S. diplomats to Paris to smooth over Adams sent a representative to France to the conflict and to negotiate a treaty to pro- engage in talks to try to end the fighting. The tect U.S. shipping. United States and France eventually signed a When the diplomats arrived in France, treaty. Adams then forced two members of they learned that French foreign minis- his cabinet to resign for trying to block his ter Talleyrand would not speak to them. peace efforts. Instead, they had a strange and secret visit from three French agents. Shockingly, the READING CHECK Identifying Points of View agents said that Talleyrand would discuss a What did Americans mean when they said treaty only in exchange for a $250,000 bribe. “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute”? 252 CHAPTER 7 DO NOT EDIT--Changes must be made through “File info” CorrectionKey=TX-B The Alien and Sedition Acts argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. They stated that the federal Many Democratic-Republicans continued to government could not pass these acts because sympathize with France. Federalists, angered they interfered with state government. Madi- by their stand, called them “democrats, mob- son and Jefferson pressured Congress to ocrats, and all other kinds of rats.” repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts. Congress In 1798 the Federalist-controlled Con- did not, although it allowed the acts to expire gress passed four laws known together as the within a few years. Alien and Sedition Acts. These laws were said The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions to protect the United States, but the Federal- did not have the force of national law, but ists intended them to crush opposition to war.