History Test- President John Adams

Question 1

What political party was John Adams? Explain. How many electoral votes did Adams win?

Answer 1

John Adams was from the political party of Federalists. He supported a strong centralized government and big business. Adams won 71 electoral votes.

Question 2

How long was Adams term for? What was he the first president to be elected by?

Answer 2

Adams was a one term President, for 4 years and left in the cloud of controversy. Adams was the first President to be elected by the entire country.

Question 3

Where was John Adams from? What is that state in? What does that mean?

Answer 3

John Adams is from Massachusetts and that is considered to be in the North. He didn’t enslave people as he was from the North. Enslaving people in the Northern states basically ended around 1808.

Question 4

Who was Adams the Vice President under?

Answer 4

Adams was the Vice President of President Washington, Adams got the second most amount of votes, runner up.

Question 5

Who was the Vice President under Adams? Why is this the case?

Answer 5

Thomas Jefferson was the Vice President under Adams. There was no 12th Amendment yet, was in 1804 and states specifically who is running for Vice President and President.

Question 6

Who was Thomas Jefferson? (From where, what does that mean, what party, how many electoral votes did he win?)

Answer 6

Thomas Jefferson was from Virginia- the South, which means Jefferson owned plantations and he enslaved people. He was a Democratic-Republican (was the runner up- can be from a different political party) and won 68 electoral votes.

Question 7

Where did Adams live in his presidency and why?

Answer 7

Adams was the first president to live in the White House in Washington, D.C.- It was finished being built. (Remember the Dinner Compromise between Jefferson and Hamilton). The White House was built by enslaved people. - Was a meaningful moment for Obama.

Question 8

Who was Abigail Adams?

Answer 8

-Abigail Adams was a political advisor to John. He asked for her opinions on various topics. (Abigail was John’s wife, so she was the first lady- didn’t have power, but was very bright.)
-She was vocal that she wanted women to have rights, including land ownership and voting. - Women couldn’t vote until 1920.
-She advocated ending enslaving people.

Question 9

Who was the Secretary of State? What is that job?

Answer 9

Timothy Pickering was the Secretary of State, he was an American diplomat- which means he would meet with other countries, on behalf of the President.

Question 10

Who was the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court? How many were there and what happened to John Jay?

Answer 10

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (6 members in total) was John Marshall (John Jay retired and became the second governor of NY)

Question 11

Who was the Attorney General? Explain the job.

Answer 11

Charles Lee was the Attorney General and his job is to to investigate high crimes that effect the entire country and is elected by the President, but approved by the Senate.

Question 12

When a new president is elected what do they change? Explain who they do not change.

Answer 12

When a new President is elected, they change cabinet members, but they do not change the Chief Justice, only if the Chief Justice dies or retires in their term, then a new one can be chosen.

Question 13

From 1798-1800 what do we almost have with France? What does France have going on?

Answer 13

We have a Quasi (almost) war with France. (France has the French Revolution, fighting GB, and the Haitian wars all going on).

Question 14

Due to Jay’s Treaty, who are we allied with? What is an advantage of being allied with this country?

Answer 14

Due to Jay’s Treaty, the US allied itself with GB. (An advantage of being allied with GB is that we have trade, are our biggest trading partner.

Question 15

What does the US being allied with GB go against and why?

Answer 15

The US being allied with GB goes against George Washington’s Farewell Address because he wanted us to be neutral and to not be permanently allied with any country.

Question 16

What were the three reasons France was mad at the US?

Answer 16

France was mad at the US because:
1. The US had a strong alliance with GB & King George III.
2. The US would not pay its war debt to France from the American Revolution. The US felt since there was no leader in France, there was no need to pay back the debt. (1799- Napoleon Bonaparte- leader)
3. France was still experiencing a civil war and fighting the British; the Americans would not help the French people.

Question 17

Who was impressing the US Sailors? What did they continue to do?

Answer 17

Not only Britain was impressing our sailors, but France was too! (France and Great Britain continued to seize American ships in the Caribbean and took impressments.)

Question 18

How many ships had France impressed? How many sailors did they take?

Answer 18

The French had impressed 300 ships taking close to one thousand US sailors. (A lot!)

Question 19

Who did Adams send to France to try and put a stop to the impressments? What precedent? What is similar to when John Jay was sent?

Answer 19

President Adams sent the Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering, Supreme Court Justice John Marshall, and Diplomat Elbridge Gerry, to France to try to convince them to stop impressing American sailors. Precedent that Washington set- negociate before war- last stop. (Again, a member of the Supreme Court, John Marshall, is used as a diplomat. It’s still unclear what the job of the Supreme Court will be. - still waiting for cases)

Question 20

What happened when the “diplomats” got to France?

Answer 20

The French foreign minister (their secretary of state), Talleyrand, refused to meet with the American diplomats unless he was given a bribe of about $250,000 (10 million dollars today). - Since we didn’t pay our war debts to them when they didn’t have a leader, was the amount we owed them from American Revolution. (Three French diplomats discussed the bribe with the American diplomats. )

Question 21

Why didn’t President Adams want to pay a bribe to France?

Answer 21

President Adams did not want to pay a bribe to France because the French foreign minister, Talleyrand completely disrespected Adams by refusing to meet and instead Talleyrand sent three agents to discuss a treaty for a huge bribe. (Precedent- Never going to pay bribes- didn’t want to start a trend)

Question 22

What precedent would be set if the U.S. paid a bribe to another country to get them to stop doing something?

Answer 22

The precedent that would be set if the U.S paid a bribe to another country to stop doing something is that if we pay one, we have to pay all bribes. Didn’t want to start a trend.- Even today!

Question 23

As a result of the French wanting America to pay a bribe what did Adams do (smaller action) and why was France so disrespectful?

Answer 23

Adams was FURIOUS and referred to the French diplomats as X, Y, and Z. This is known as the “X, Y, Z Affair.” So mad- he didn’t want to known their names. France was so disrespectful because they wanted the US to pay a bribe, but they were still impressing the US sailors.

Question 24

As a result of the French wanting America to pay a bribe what did Adams do (bigger action)? What is this an example of? What did __ do in reaction to Adams request?

Answer 24

Adams urged Congress to prepare for war- Article 1- Checks and Balances. (Congress then expanded the navy, we might go to war»)

Question 25

What is Adams considered to be? Who established it, when, and what was in initially called?

Answer 25

Adams is considered the “Father of the ‘modern’ American navy.” John Paul Jones had established the navy during the American Revolution and was initially called the “Father of the American navy.”

Question 26

Who is this quote by and what does it mean: “Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute.”

Answer 26

This quote by Pinckney/Pickering explains that the US will spend millions to defend its country, but not one cent to pay a bribe. -Precedent

Question 27

What act did Congress pass, when, and what did it signal?

Answer 27

Congress passed the Alien (Immigrants/Foreign) and Sedition (Asleep/put you down/Rebellion) Act in 1798- It signaled that the US is getting ready for war with France.

Question 28

Why did Adams create the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Answer 28

President Adams was angry with the Democratic-Republicans (Old Anti-federalists) and immigrants for criticizing Adams’ opposition to France. - But he really didn’t have to worry. (To shut up/Aimed at the press and french immigrants)

Question 29

Who was most of Congress?

Answer 29

Most of Congress were Federalists making it biased, so whatever Adams wanted to get passed, he would get passed.

Question 30

Who were the immigrants (aliens) that were forced to deport? Why was that weird?

Answer 30

The France people living in America, but that was weird because they had chosen to live here and wanted to be here, why they didn’t commit any crimes.

Question 31

What did the Alien and Sedition Act law allow for?

Answer 31

-Allowed the president to deport or imprison immigrants (aliens). (And French people born in the US- Don’t NEED)
-Speaking out or opposing the government (sedition) in any way was illegal. (No freedom of speech and no freedom of press)

Question 32

Why were the Democratic- Republicans upset about this law? Fourth Estate?

Answer 32

-Many Democratic-Republicans were very angry about the Alien and Sedition Acts because it took away civil liberties guaranteed by the Constitution, was an abuse of power, and was unconstitutional. (First ten Amendments/ Bill of Rights).
-Many Democratic-Republican newspaper reporters were arrested for writing articles that were against Adams or the government.
The Fourth Estate- the Press, not a real branch of government, a ghost branch, keeps government honest, hold everything up!

Question 33

Today, countries that arrest people for speaking out are: (How do they maintain power?)

Answer 33

Russia, North Korea, and China arrest their citizens for speaking out against government or writing against the government.- In broad daylight to intimidate and to scare others. They censor- silence their people. (Only see the bad in other countries on TV, government controls the internet.) Dictators- maintaining power by keeping people in the dark. (Propaganda- no internet)

Question 34

Are the Alien and Sedition Acts Unconstitutional?

Answer 34

Yes, the acts are unconstitutional because they go against Amendment 1 of the Bill of Rights.

Question 35

Many immigrants were opposed to war with France, so what did Adams do?

Answer 35

Many immigrants were opposed to war with France, so by arresting or deporting them, they couldn’t vote in elections.

Question 36

Jefferson and Madison, the Democratic- Republicans believed states should have the power to make important decisions, so what did they do? Why is that not a good idea?

Answer 36

They had Kentucky and Virginia (South) wrote legislation against the Alien & Sedition Acts. Madison and Jefferson, both Democratic-Republicans & both from Virginia, helped those states write the legislation. But, that is not a good idea because the Federal Government is always supreme over the states; Article 6, Supremacy Clause. (States’ rights versus the power of the Federal government (Amendment 9 versus 10 & Article IV versus Article VI)

Question 37

What is the hypocrisy of Jefferson and Madison?

Answer 37

Jefferson and Madison are arguing that people should have rights, but they both own slaves.

Question 38

What did the Democratic- Republicans and states believe in?

Answer 38

The states felt that the Bill of Rights must be respected, AND people of states should not fear being arrested for exercising their rights.

Question 39

Do the states still have issues/ differing opinions with the FD? What are some examples?

Answer 39

Yes, we still do and some examples are Marwana use, Gun Laws, and LGBTQ rights.

Question 40

Explain Fries’ Rebellion. What pays for war?

Answer 40

1799: Farmers in Eastern Pennsylvania were angry that Adams was getting ready for war (might go to war against France) and increasing taxes in all the states to pay for the war. Taxes pay for war!! The farmers in Eastern Pennsylvania rebelled. It was called Fries’ Rebellion.

Question 41

How was the rebellion put down?

Answer 41

The rebellion was put down by the military. Again, the Constitution worked due to having a leader, military, and paid miltiary.

Question 42

What are the three tax rebellions?

Answer 42

Shays’ (1787)- Massachusetts before the Constitution (Articles of Confederation)
Whiskey (1794)- Western Pennsylvania (President Washington)
Fries’ (1799)-Eastern Pennsylvania (President Adams)

Question 43

War hawks

Answer 43

Want war. Ex, Hamilton- Federalist wanted a declaration of war against France.

Question 44

Peace dove

Answer 44

Want peace. Ex, Jefferson and Adams- on the fence.

Question 45

How was the army expanded?

Answer 45

Taxes are used to expand the army.

Question 46

What is not odd at all that happened during Adams term?

Answer 46

Retired President Washington advised Adams to appoint Hamilton as second in command.

Question 47

Why couldn’t Hamilton run for President? Also..

Answer 47

Hamilton couldn’t run for President because he was not born in the U.S, he was born in the Bahamas. (Also, had an affair and it became a major scandal- not smart to run and could not)

Question 48

What is an example of people being from the same party, but not liking each other and why. Why didn’t Adams want to declare war.

Answer 48

Even though Hamilton & Adams were from the same party (Federalists), they didn’t like each other because Hamilton felt that Adams dragged his feet (hesitated) on a declaration of war against France.- Hamilton wanted to strengthen our relationship with GB- showing that they are our ally. (Adams did not want to declare war- we were a young country)

Question 49

Finally, ___ was made in 1799 with Napoleon Bonaparte.

Answer 49

Finally, peace was made in 1799 with Napoleon Bonaparte (the new leader of France).

Question 50

Why was it the end of the Quasi War?

Answer 50

It was the end of the Quasi War because we no longer have to go to war because France stopped the impressments. (So did Britain)

Question 51

Why did Hamilton and other Federalists like the expansion of the military?

Answer 51

Hamilton and other Federalists liked the expansion of the military- war hawk- puts you in a strong position, and Congress’s response to military requests from the President→ war gave more power to the Federal government (very Federalist)–> they were disappointed that we didn’t go to war to show our superiority→ also angry with the “weakness” of Adams, a Federalist.- too much on the fence.

Question 52

The Alien and Sedition Acts continued until Adams left office, so what will Jefferson have to do?

Answer 52

Jefferson will have to put an end to it.

Question 53

Why did Adams dislike Jefferson?

Answer 53

Adams disliked Jefferson because Adams and Jefferson had gone against each other in elections, 1st Adams won and Jefferson became Vice and 2nd Jefferson won and Adams was Vice.- was really mad he lost (Also, have differing opinions.)

Question 54

Did the Democratic- Republicans dislike Adams?

Answer 54

The Democratic-Republicans really disliked (not all) Adams and wanted a Democratic-Republican to be voted into office.

Question 55

Right before Adams term was over, what did he approve?

Answer 55

Right before Adams term was over, he approved the Judiciary Act of 1801- are struggling with what to do with the Supreme court.

Question 56

Explain the midnight judge appointments.

Answer 56

“Midnight Judges” Adams appointed sixteen new judgeships (one judge per state, there were 16 states in the highest court of appeals in that state), all filled with Federalists.- To limit Jeffersons power.
Congress was filled with Federalists, so they wanted favoritism in the courts.
Adams reduced the number of Supreme Court judges from 6 to 5, so if a judge died or retired, Jefferson could not appoint a new Supreme Court Justice.- Sounds unconstitutional.

Question 57

Adams perceived weaknesses as a President? List 4.

Answer 57

1. The X, Y, Z Affair- He delayed a strong response (war). - He was on the fence.
2. The Alien and Sedition Act- Disrespected the First Amendment. -Like a king (no freedom of speech and press)
3. Raising taxes to pay for the “quasi-war” with France. (Didn’t lower them)
4. Revenge appointments of Midnight Judges. - Like a monarchy- to prevent Jeffersons power- corrupt.

Question 58

What did John Adams do (American Revolution) before he became President? Why is that ironic? What does that prove?

Answer 58

John Adams defended the British during the Boston Massacre to show the colonists what Democracy looks like- showed the people how they could expect fair trials, how we need to break away, and the people have the right to be represented. It is ironic because he argued what democracy looked like, but when he became President he passed the Alien and Sedition Act. It proves that power changes people and power corrupts people.

Question 59

Explain a peaceful transfer of power. Ex, when there wasn’t a peaceful transfer of power.

Answer 59

In a peaceful transfer of power whether the people are different parties or not, the President leaves and the new President gets sworn in, there is no rebellion and no war. The only time there was not a peaceful transfer of power was President Trump to President Biden, people raided/the march on the Capitol.

Question 60

What are types of war?

Answer 60

Physical and Cyber- ransomeware Russia can shut down red lights, our internet, hack!!

Question 61

Explain: Those who make the rules should not control the road of information to the people. Why is it dangerous?

Answer 61

The press should not be controlled by the leader and if you censor the press, what keeps government honest the government will become a dictatorship. The Fourth Estate is like I can’t stand you, but I want you to have the right to do what you want to do. - Dangerous- if they limit one view of politics it could mean they could limit every view.