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Jefferson and Madison responded by drafting strong state resolutions (Kentucky and Virginia, respectively) to "nullify" or declare the Acts unconstitutional, viewing the act primarily as an attack on their Democratic-Republican party by Adams' Federalists.  They invoked state sovereignty, claiming that a state does not have to obey an unconstitutional federal law.  This unintentionally provided a basis for states in the South later to try to "nullify" other federal laws, leading to the Civil War.

Jefferson and Madison responded by drafting strong state resolutions (Kentucky and Virginia, respectively) to "nullify" or declare the Acts unconstitutional, viewing the act primarily as an attack on their Democratic-Republican party by Adams' Federalists.  They invoked state sovereignty, claiming that a state does not have to obey an unconstitutional federal law.  This unintentionally provided a basis for states in the South later to try to "nullify" other federal laws, leading to the Civil War.

The Adams Administration went from bad to worse.  In 1798 through 1800, there was an undeclared naval war with France, which was the result of the United States aligning itself with France's enemy, England, on the high seas.  Specifically, American accepted British naval protection, and that resulted in conflicts with the French.  (England and France were enemies throughout the 1700s and 1800s).

The Adams Administration went from bad to worse.  In 1798 through 1800, there was an undeclared naval war with France, which was the result of the United States aligning itself with France's enemy, England, on the high seas.  Specifically, American accepted British naval protection, and that resulted in conflicts with the French.  (England and France were enemies throughout the 1700s and 1800s).

One final act by President Adams angered his political opponents further.  There was a five-month delay between the presidential election and the swearing in of a new president (the gap is only about two months now).  After Thomas Jefferson crushed Adams in the election of 1800, Adams appointed a bunch of "midnight judges" just before Adams was replaced by Jefferson.  Jefferson was so angry by this "lame duck" action (something done by a politician after he is defeated before just before he is replaced by the winner) that Jefferson refused to pay these judges.

One final act by President Adams angered his political opponents further.  There was a five-month delay between the presidential election and the swearing in of a new president (the gap is only about two months now).  After Thomas Jefferson crushed Adams in the election of 1800, Adams appointed a bunch of "midnight judges" just before Adams was replaced by Jefferson.  Jefferson was so angry by this "lame duck" action (something done by a politician after he is defeated before just before he is replaced by the winner) that Jefferson refused to pay these judges.

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]