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Jay Treaty
On November 19, 1794 representatives of the United States and Great Britain signed Jay’s Treaty, which sought to settle outstanding issues between the two countries that had been left unresolved since American independence. The treaty proved unpopular with the American public but did accomplish the goal of maintaining peace between the two. nations and preserving U.S. neutrality. john jays treaty -
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XYZ Affair
France began capturing American merchant ships in 1796. In retaliation John Adams sent Envoys to Paris to talk about having peace. Three French officials codenamed X, Y, and Z began demanding terms that would offend America and and demanding $250,000. As a result Adams broke all negotiations with France, called the XYZ Affair. XYZ Affair -
Adams Wins Election
John Adams was the Federalist candidate in the 1796 election, with Thomas Jefferson being the Democratic-Republican Candidate. John Adams had nearly all the votes from the northern states while Jefferson had most of the southern states going for him. John Adams wins the electioin by 3 votes. Due to The Constitution Jefferson being the second place winner becomes the Vice President. -
Alien Act
The alien act made it so the President can arrest and deport non-citizens. Since most non-citizen immigrants were Democratic Republicans, the Federalists made it harder for them to become citizens. This made it so that the illegal immigrants could not vote. -
Sedition Act
The Sedition Act made it a crime for the citizens to criticize the government in public. They did this because they didn't want citizens to try and undermine the government. The Federalists used this act to silence the Democratic Republicans. -
Virginia Resolution
Written by Thomas Jefferson, it stated that the Sedition Act was unconstitutional. He thought it was a violation of the freedom of speech. VirginiaResolution -
Kentucky Resolution
Same as Virgina Resolution, but drafted by James Madison. This had the same message as the Virgina Resolution. No other states adopted this but instead the Presidential election of 1800 would. Kentucky Resolution -
Revolution of 1800
Some observers have regarded Jefferson's election in 1800 as revolutionary. This may be true in a restrained sense of the word, since the change from Federalist leadership to Republican was entirely legal and bloodless. Nevertheless, the changes were profound. The Federalists lost control of both the presidency and the Congress and by 1800, the American people were ready for a change. -
Election of 1800
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were running for President in 1800. The votes were meant for Jefferson to become President and for Aaron Burr to becaome Vice President, but because the constitution didn't allow a distinction between electoral votes The House of representatives had to decide. Election of 1800 -
Decision of Presidential Power
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied the election in 1800, so the congressmen had to decide who to make president and who to make vice-president. They decided that Jefferson would be a better fit, and Burr would be best suited as vice-president. -
Burr Kills Hamilton
Burr became vice president, that year, Hamilton campaigned against Burr with great fervor, and Burr lost the Federalist nomination and then, running as an independent for governor, the election. In the campaign, Burr’s character was savagely attacked by Hamilton and others, and after the election he resolved to restore his reputation by challenging Hamilton to a duel, or an “affair of honor". Burr shot Hamilton and he died a few hours later. -
Constitutional Amendment
The Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, which provided the original procedure by which the Electoral College functioned. -
Debt Cut
Federal spending rose substantially under Presidents George Washington and John Adams, but then flattened under Jefferson between 1801 and 1809. Federal debt fell from $83 million in 1801 to $57 million in 1809. The drop in debt was impressive, especially considering that the government swallowed $13 million of added debt during that period from the Louisiana purchase. debt cut -
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