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==The Presidency of John Adams==

==The Presidency of John Adams==

[[John Adams]], born to a prosperous farmer in Massachusetts, became president the second president of the United States after George Washington, who was a "tough act to follow" (i.e., no one could be as respected as Washington was).  John Adams was elected president as the Federalist Party's candidate in 1796, and served from 1797-1801.   

[[John Adams]], born to a prosperous farmer in Massachusetts, became the second president of the United States after George Washington, who was a "tough act to follow" (i.e., no one could be as respected as Washington was).  John Adams was elected president as the Federalist Party's candidate in 1796, and served from 1797-1801.   

He served just one term (four years) and his presidency was a failure due primarily to foreign policy humiliations.  The problem was that no one in Europe respected this new country called the United States, and Adams had to deal with that lack of respect.  For example, in 1798 there was the "XYZ Affair," in which American diplomats went to France to demand an end to French attacks on American ships.  Instead of being received in a dignified manner, three French agents referred to anonymously as "XYZ" demanded that a bribe be given to them in order to consider the American request.  News of this demand for a bribe reached the United States and it was humiliating.

He served just one term (four years) and his presidency was a failure due primarily to foreign policy humiliations.  The problem was that no one in Europe respected this new country called the United States, and Adams had to deal with that lack of respect.  For example, in 1798 there was the "XYZ Affair," in which American diplomats went to France to demand an end to French attacks on American ships.  Instead of being received in a dignified manner, three French agents referred to anonymously as "XYZ" demanded that a bribe be given to them in order to consider the American request.  News of this demand for a bribe reached the United States and it was humiliating.

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 just before he is replaced by the winner) that Jefferson refused to pay these judges.

[[Category:United States History]]

[[Category:United States History]]