Marissa+-+JA+-+SP11

John Adams
Born: October 30, 1735 Braintree (Quincy), Massachusetts Death: July 4, 1826 Braintree (Quincy), Massachusetts Political Party: Federalist Term: March 4, 1797-March 4, 1801 Vice President: Thomas Jefferson (1797-1801)

Based on John Adam’s accomplishments during his presidency, he appropriately deserves a C+. Following George Washington, Adams was the second president of the United States. He is most well known for events which occurred prior to his administration such as his time served as a member of the Massachusetts legislature from 1770-1774, a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774-1777 where he was assigned to the secret Committee of Foreign Correspondence, held liable for collecting foreign aid, and assigned the responsibility of drafting the Declaration of Independence. However, among the decisions of Adams and his administration during his presidency resides the Logan Act, Alien and Sedition Acts, legislation of federal property taxes, and XYZ Affair, perhaps the most significant of all.

Serving as a member of the First and Second Continental Congress for a time during the Revolutionary War, he led the movement for independence. However, the main goals of his presidency were derived from the conflicts presented to the United States by the current war between the French and the British. Therefore, the main focus of his administration was on France, where the ruling group declined to commercial relations with America. In response, Adams sent three commissioners to France, however, word delivered that the French Foreign Minister Talleyrand and the ruling group rejected any negotiation with them, except under the circumstances that they would pay a substantial bribe. Consequently, Adams learned of this, reported the incident to Congress, and the correspondence was printed referring to the Frenchmen only as X, Y, and Z. Thus, the incident titled the XYZ Affair, turned America against France. Ill prepared to fight, Adams purposefully forwent a peaceful solution. Refusing to call declaration of war, he sent an additional peace mission, one that successfully earned the French acceptance of the United States neutrality rights at sea and released the U.S. from its obligations formed under the alliance from the American Revolution. In return, the United States became trading partners with France.

The relationship between John Adams and Congress during both terms was in Adam’s favor considering the majority party in both houses of congress was the same, Federalist. With the majority of congress being Federalist, identical to Adams, he was more popularly supported along with the ideas proposed. Between the years 1797-1801, Adams did not exercise the veto at all. Therefore, no legislation under Adams was vetoed. However, during his term, several laws were passed by legislature including the Logan Act in 1799 and Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798. The Logan Act was passed by Congress to outlaw private diplomacy in response to Dr. George Logan of Pennsylvania, who acted on his own, without approval from the United States government to enter negotiations with the French in Paris in an effort to normalize relations between the two countries, an effect of the XYZ Affair. Another significant item signed into law under Adams were the Alien and Sedition Acts, four bills thoughtfully crafted to extinguish the opposition. The bills which composed the Alien and Sedition Acts included the Naturalization Act, making it more challenging to become a U.S. citizen, the Alien Act, permitting the president to deport any alien they saw as potentially dangerous, the Alien Enemies Act, directed specifically at French immigrants, gave the president power to gather and imprison aliens during time of war, and the Sedition Act threatened anyone who “shall write, print, utter or publish…scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either House of the Congress…or the President…with intent to defame…or to bring them…into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them…the hatred of the good people of the United States” punishable with fine and imprisonment. However, the Naturalization law did not stand, with repeal in 1802.

The action of the Adam’s administration with the most negative outcome was the legislation of the Alien and Sedition Acts. The opposition claimed the acts were unconstitutional and suppressed criticism of the administration. Additionally, the Democratic-Republicans stated that the acts disregarded the rights of the states to act in agreement to the Tenth Amendment. Time proved that the four acts did not promote national unity against any country, but comparably degraded what unity did exist in the country. On the other hand, the action of the Adam’s administration with the most positive outcome was perhaps the resolving of the conflict that lingered between America and France. France certainly did not lend America it’s acceptance or alliance easily or without bribe and negotiation. However, Adams walked away successfully linking America and France together as trading partners.

The decision of John Adams to pursue peace with France as opposed to declaring war was in fact positively influential to future presidential administrations as he set the example of betterment of the country through peaceful means, not war. He made a wise decision to avoid war, lacking the money and resources to be successful. Future presidential administrations could look to the past and see the benefits the country gained through compromise and realistic thinking, rather than impulsively resorting to war. At the end of Adam’s term in office, the United States was indeed better off considering the progress made in regard to relations with France and his endurance as he guided young America through it’s early years after the Revolutionary War. It is also notable that he chose the route of peace towards France and held to it, determined to avoid a war America was not prepared to fight. Additionally, regarding Adam’s latter goals, he was mostly successful. Therefore, a C+ is fitting for John Adams who successfully led America through it’s first several years after the Revolution.

Bibliography:

DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2009. Print.

"John Adams." //The White House//. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. .

"US Presidents - John Adams." //Junto Society Home Page//. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. .