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President: John Adams
Theme: American Identity Born: October 30, 1735 Died: July 4, 1826 Political Party: Federalist Term of presidency: 1797-1801 (2nd president) Vice president: Thomas Jefferson (1797-1801)

Rating: ﻿B

John Adams, took presidency after George Washington, becoming our second known president in history. Adam made positive and negative actions, but all related to keep his nation away from a possible risk of war of incoming aliens.Adam focused on strengthing the government especially trying to expand the navy and army. He rightfully deserves an A even though he had served as vice president to George Washington for two terms, giving him experience in what choices to take, his abilities to deal with foreign forces against America that were against the ideas based off the political party. Adam's goals for America were to make the nation more union with itself and a peaceful relation with outside countries. He stated in his Inauguration Address of making peace with france, by refusing to participate in a war against Britain. He send three American representatives to negotiate with the French MinisterTalleyrand and the Directory, but in return France denied any negotiations sending in three agents named x,y,z by Adam, later known as the XYZ Affair. The agents reported France would not accept any terms without payments being made towards them. The Democratic Republicans favored in France until the huge bribe of money was established, demanding a war against the French. Adam, knonwing well at that time, France was the leading army to win against European countries, seeked for a peaceful way out. In return, France began to seize American ships after being denied to pay the ridiculous sum of money they asked. Adam focused on strengthing the naval department, creating the Quasi-War that was successful in clearing out sea-lanes by the 1800. During the presidency of Adam in America, congress had difficulty to side with Adam due to the fact that Adam did not follow the ideas of what the political parties had in mind. HIs signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798, created by Federalists, was furiously disapproved by the Republicans who in return created the Kentucky and VIrginia Resolutions. The Alien and Sedition Acts was seen necessary to force alien immigrants to wait a certain amount of time to become citizens, who naturailized citizens seemed to vote mostly for the democratic-republicans. Adam did violate the Bill of RIghts after signing in four powerful acts which was seen crucial to keep out french-sympatizing aliens. There was also a stir up after Adam passed the tax law to provide for the naval department by the Republicans. The choice of President John Adams to keep out of European War, had to be one of the best positive outcomes during his term. The decision to keep peace with France was unevitable the best choice at the time, considering political parties in congress had agreed to a full out scale war. He understood America was not ready to face any wars especially not against France whom at that time was succesful in its victories against other countries. This strategy shaped the American Identity which may have contributed to other foreign policies in the future. As well established the peace between present day France and America. On the other hand, even with Adam's determination to keep peace with France, the most negative outcome was the Alien and Sedition Acts that allowed permission the arrestment of any immigrants or aliens that were suspiciousl going against thye government decisions in secret or any unwanted statements related to the government to keep his goal of a more central government and remove republican opponents. John Adam's choices in 1797 through 1801 left achievements to be influential to any future presidents in his peace actions related with France. If he had not chosen to take another route out from war with France, America would not have been the same. This set a peaceful term between the two which has been kept up unti this very present day and the advancement in teh naval department was also a step to improvement to keep America more safe. On the other hand, even though he had not taken action to veto the Alien and Sedition Acts, this contributed to the Bill of Rights. The acts had given a limitation to immigration which was important to the growth of America which lead me to rate a B for both of these outcomes. Adam's deicisons taken after his term had ended had been beneficial to the country. Although some Acts passed by him and his political party had degraded him to a B, his actions to keep America out of war at that time contributed to the development of a improved navy and peace between France earning him a ranking still in between which he deserves for his achievemnets during 1797-1801.