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The XYZ affair
The French tried to bribe the Americans for them to stop attacking American ships. This was a massive insult to the national honor and many people called for war against France. However John Adams, the president and a federalist, didn't want to declare war and instead built up the armed forces. This was very unpopular and led to the eventual downfall of the federalists. The press began to insult Adams and called him a "Mock Monarch." -
The Sedition Act
The Alien and Sedition Acts were an attempt to silence Federalist opposition, the Republicans. The Sedition Act was a law that made it illegal to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious" criticism of the government. This was used by the Federalists to try to systematically silence Republican newspapers. This law steps on the toes of the First Amendment in the Constitution, leading to the downfall of the Federalist party. -
Jefferson's Inaugaration
Before Jefferson became president in 1801, John Adams appointed several Federalist judges into the Supreme Court. This enraged Thomas Jefferson, who at the time was extremely popular, leading him to look for any way to get back at the Federalist Party, especially because of the Marbury v. Madison trial. -
Election of 1800
Jefferson and Burr were tied with 73 electoral votes. The Federalists controlled 6 states and had divided control in 2 states. Most Federalists wanted to elect Burr. however, Hamilton secured the election of Jefferson. States rights advocates began filling previous republican spots. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson went through with the Louisiana purchase, and it was so popular, even in New England where Federalists were popular, that it basically guaranteed his re election. This made it much harder for Federalist candidates to get votes. -
Essex Junto group
A group led by Timothy Pickering organized in 1804 and made a scheme to break away from the Union and establish a "northern confederacy." They decided to support Aaron Burr to do so, Burr lost the election and the scheme collapsed. This made the federalists look bad because they wanted to commit treason and also failed -
Hamilton's death
Hamilton died in a duel against Aaron Burr. Hamilton was the major leader of the federalist party and without his leadership the party began a downward spiral. -
War of 1812
By the end of the War of 1812, the Federalist party had dissolved. Most Federalists opposed the war because they made their living on trade and this conflict cut short their trade with England. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans happened in December of 1814. The American and British kept fighting even though the treaty of Ghent had already been signed, ending the war. This was blamed on the Federalists, because they couldn't communicate fast enough. December 23, 1814 - January 8, 1815 -
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The Hartford Convention
Before the news of the Treaty of Ghent reached back over to America, Federalists of New England met at the Hartford Convention. At these conventions, Federalists planned on protesting the war of 1812 by not providing aid to militia, not lending money for the war effort, and even for some extremists, seceding from the union. These views went against the status quo of the public's view, leading to their downfall.
