John Adams Presidency

By Asha123456

  • XYZ Affair, 1797

    The XYZ Affair was a series of diplomatic events that involved the U.S. and France during the late 1790s and was one of the most pressing issues during John Adams’ presidency. This incident resulted in an undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. Peace was restored with the Convention of 1800 also known as the Treaty of Mortefontaine.

  • Naturalization Act, 1798

    The Naturalization Act, passed by the United States Congress on June 18, 1798 (1 Stat. 566), increased the period necessary for immigrants to become naturalized citizens in the United States from 5 to 14 years.

  • Alien Act, Sedition Act, 1798

    Signed into law by President John Adams in 1798, the Alien and Sedition Acts consisted of four laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress as America prepared for war with France

  • Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, 1798

    The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (or Resolves) were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799, in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. The resolutions argued that the states had the right and the duty to declare unconstitutional any acts of Congress that were not authorized by the Constitution. In doing so, they argued for states' rights and strict constructionism of the Constitution.

  • "Midnight Appointments"/Judiciary Act of 1801

    The Midnight Judges Act (also known as the Judiciary Act of 1801; 2 Stat. 89, or the Midnight Appointments) represented an effort to solve an issue in the U.S. Supreme Court during the early 19th century. There was concern, beginning in 1789, about the system that required the Justices of the Supreme Court to “ride circuit” and reiterate decisions made in the appellate level courts.