Grant+-+JA+-+SP13

Grant Pierce ** John Adams ** October 30th, 1735 in present day Quincy, Massachusetts – July 4th, 1826 in his hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts Political Party: Federalist In Office: March 4th, 1797- March 4th, 1801 Vice President First and Only Term: Thomas Jefferson- 1797-1801 Citizenship was drastically altered during Adams’ presidency. A lack of unity at home and facing a time of War Adams brought into effect a series of invasive and controversial Laws that changed the American ideals of citizenship, however briefly. The Alien Acts gave the president the right to legally deport anyone he thought harmful to the nation which is not too bad a notion considering America was priming for war with France. Coinciding with the Alien Acts was the Sedition Act that made it a federal offense to defame or speak out in a bad manner towards the government or officials, offenders faced steep fines and jail time. Last but not least the Naturalization Act increased the years it took to become a naturalized citizen to 14 making it more difficult to become a citizen and even discouraging some immigrants. These acts turned many immigrants and even some French sympathizers away and made many oppose or dislike the Federalists. In addition to those acts Adams also changed things up by going into wartime mode by creating a Navy and Marine Corps. Even though they were much needed for protection, the new additions caused a spike in taxes and gave the government more control causing much outrage throughout much of America resulting in Fries’ Rebellion in Pennsylvania. John Adams definitely mixed up what it meant to be an American Citizen and not in a good way. His handling of domestic affairs lowered his status to a B.
 * Thematic Context**

John Adams and his fellow administration deserve a solid B for the duration of their time in office. With the French Revolution still raging and tensions still high in Europe he was caught in the middle of European affairs but handled them quite well. Facing a lot of opposition, John Adams remained independent in his decisions and was able to quickly resolve issues with France and preventing a long hopeless war with the world power. His terms were practically an extension of Washington’s time in office and much of his decisions reflected that. During the unofficial Quasi War one good thing did come about, the creation of America’s Navy and also a provisional army including the organizations of the Marine Corps. On the other hand Adams did sign of on some quite controversial Laws including the Alien and Sedition Acts that caused an outrage with French sympathizers and the rivaling Democratic-Republicans that would take over in the ensuing years. While he handled foreign affairs well for the most part he left domestic affairs to Congress and also had a few controversial notions making him slightly above the average president.
 * Thesis**

John Adams was very insistent on improving the unity in America while also bettering foreign relations, specifically with France and England. “The determination to maintain peace and inviolable faith with all nations, and that system of neutrality and impartiality among the belligerent powers of Europe which has been adopted by this Government ,” were his exact words in his inaugural address. Things were going fine as America remained neutral for a while then things went south when America and England made trade agreements that France took for an alliance against them. Thus, the brief Quasi-War that ended almost as quickly as it began and gaining America respect for going toe to toe with a world power. On the home front the lack of unity was one of the biggest problems. With New England even threatening succession a lot was at stake. Towards the end of his term he enacted the highly controversial Alien and Sedition Acts along with a few others that did not seem to aid the situation.
 * Goals**

For the most part it seemed as though Adams was quite independent of Congress in that he took to handling foreign affairs because of his diplomatic experience and left domestic affairs to Congress. In most cases this was a good thing because if Congress had their way we would have been enthralled in all out war with France, England or both. He went his own separate way most of the time excluding the Laws that he passed later on that he merely signed and had little to no involvement in drawing up. Congress began to dislike him more and more for his independence and also that he was a federalist, as they were primarily democratic-republican. Despite his not always agreeing with congress the fact that he avoided major war by going against them is what helped him earn a B.
 * Relationship with Congress**

By far attaining peace with France was John Adams biggest achievement as commander-in-chief. He said it himself, "I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of the peace with France in the year 1800,” and that he did. While for a brief time America was unofficially at war with France Adams did manage to successfully and for the most part peacefully avoided a major conflict with its once ally. For a time France wouldn’t even allow American diplomats permission to speak with them. But even when war seemed inevitable Adams continually pressured France in negotiations and eventually won out when Napoleon took control of post revolution France. His handlings of the war are one of the primary reasons he achieved a B.
 * Positive Event**

The four acts that were passed in succession were definitely what dragged down Adams grade. First was the Alien and Sedition Acts that were signed in 1798 then came the Naturalization Act, the Alien Act, and the Alien Enemies Act, all pertaining to citizenship and highly controversial both then and present day. The Naturalization Act increased the length of time it took to become a naturalized citizen, coincidentally most newly naturalized citizens tended to vote for Democratic-Republicans. Both of the Alien Acts gave the president the executive power to deport any foreigner he thought a traitor or dangerous to the state. Encroaching on our rights to free speech was the Sedition Act made it illegal to publish false and outrageous remarks about the government and its officials. To this day they have expired but still they are shrouded in controversy. While it was war time these acts were outrageous and trespassed on the very liberties Adams set out to protect.
 * Negative Event**

A big decision that has greatly impacted his successors was his construction of a Navy and the introduction of the Marines. While bracing for war with France he saw to it that America would be prepared no matter what the outcome. In order to stand with the alpha dogs of Europe Adams recognized that America needed a (national) Navy and a first line of defense. In the formation of the Navy and Marines he caused an increase in taxes that many did not approve of. He was a strong-willed Federalist and believed in a strengthened central government and added to that in the creation of a Navy and the Marines. Till this day we have a navy, the best Navy in fact and it all started with John Adams another factor in getting a B.
 * Influential Decision**

When Adams came into office overseas relations were not faring well at all and he remained neutral until the Quasi-War which was brief and for the most part harmless, yet proved America had what it took. America took a big leap forward when Adams sought to forming a national Navy and the Marine corps. There was still a great lack of unity among the states and the stakes were upped with talks of New England succeeding from the young nation. Although New England did not separate from America there was still a sense of division and segregation among the states. The Alien and Sedition Acts did not help his case and even pushed some people to leave without even being forced to. At the end of his term tensions were still seemingly high at home and abroad. All in all Adams served his time decently well and left his mark on the country and keeping her out of harm’s way earning him a B.
 * Conclusion**


 * Bibliography**

"American President: John Adams." //Miller Center//. University of Virginia, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. .

"John Adams." //ushistory.org//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. .

"John Adams." //Wikipedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. .

"John Adams: Inaugural Address." //The American Presidency Project//. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. .

"Presidents: John Adams." //The White House//. United States Government, n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. .

"The Second President of the United States." //Presidents of America//. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Feb. 2013. .