Campaign 1796 Thomas Jefferson vs John Adams

Campaign 1796 Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams

Newspapers Gazette of the United States supported Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists National Gazette supported Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans

The National Gazette n Jefferson for President You might see this slogan: “Elect the fearless Jefferson, support the French revolution”

Gazette of the United States n Adams for President You might see this slogan: “Just try to fathom… America without Adams”

Meet the Contestants Federalists candidates - John Adams for President - Thomas Pinckney for VP Republican candidates - Thomas Jefferson for President - Aaron Burr for VP

The Results n President = candidate with most electoral votes n VP = candidate with second most electoral votes Candidate Electoral Votes Position John Adams 71 President Thomas Jefferson 68 VP Thomas Pinckney 58

Problems n What problem do you see with this system of choosing a Vice President? - President and Vice President are from two different political parties.

The Voting

Going overseas

John Jay n Chief Justice In 1795 he went to Britain because they had captured 250 U. S. ships trading with France Jay’s Treaty: - Prevented War with Britain - Angered the French

XYZ Affair n France responded to Jay’s Treaty by seizing American ships Americans cry out for War!!! - Adams sends diplomats to France

X, Y, and Z n The diplomats are met by three secret agents from France X Y Z They offer a bribe for peace: - $250, 000 gift to the foreign minister - $10 million loan to France

American Response What would be your response? “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute” Adams decides not to pay the bribe Builds up the Navy in order to protect American ships

Alien and Sedition Acts n Immigrant: person who comes from another country to settle – New Laws: § President could expel any foreigner thought to be dangerous § Must live in US for 14 years before becoming a citizen § WHY? n Sedition: stirring up rebellion n Freedom of Speech

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions States n Jefferson wants states to take strong action against Alien and Sedition Acts n Nullify: cancel n KT and VA wrote resolutions claiming that states “have an equal right to decide for themselves” whether a law is constitutional n What is the big question raised by the KT and VA resolutions? ?

Should the States have the right to declare Federal Laws unconstitutional? -Jefferson thought states should have more power -Eventually the Alien and Sedition Acts were repealed

Election of 1800 n Republicans focused on two issues – Raising taxes to prepare for war – Alien and Sedition Acts Republican Thomas Jefferson Federalist John Adams Aaron Burr – Jefferson and Burr tied Electoral votes – House of Representatives breaks the tie – What’s the big deal? ? ?

12 th Amendment n Electors must vote separately for President and Vice President