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Launching the Nation
Section 4
HSS 8.5
MAIN IDEAS
1. The rise of political parties created competition in the election of 1796.
2. The XYZ affair caused problems for
President John Adams.
3 Controversy broke out over the Alien and
Sedition Acts.
Students understand the
foundations of the American
political system and the ways
in which citizens participate
in it.
Key Terms and People
groups that help elect people and shape politics
Federalist Party wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and
trade
Democratic-Republican Party wanted to limit the federal government’s powers
XYZ affair a French demand for a $250,000 bribe and a $12 million loan in exchange
for a treaty
Alien and Sedition Acts acts that punished supporters of France and deprived people
of the freedom to say and write what they believed.
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions said that the Alien and Sedition Acts were
unconstitutional
political parties
Section Summary
THE ELECTION OF 1796
In the election of 1796, more than one candidate
ran for president. Political parties had started during Washington’s presidency. Washington cautioned
against party rivalry in his farewell, but rivalry
dominated the 1796 election. Alexander Hamilton
was key in founding the Federalist Party. John
Adams and Thomas Pinckney were the Federalist
candidates. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison
helped found the Democratic-Republican Party.
That party selected Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr as its candidates. Business people in cities tended to support Adams. Farmers generally
favored Jefferson. Both sides attacked each other.
Adams won; Jefferson was second. He and Jefferson
then had to serve as president and vice president.
Who helped start the Federalist
Party?
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Section 4, continued
PRESIDENT ADAMS AND THE XYZ AFFAIR
Adams made improving the relationship between
the United States and France a high priority. France
was unhappy when the United States refused to let
its citizens join in the war against Britain. Adams
sent U.S. diplomats to repair that problem and
make a treaty to guard U.S. shipping. The French
foreign minister refused to meet with them. Three
French agents said that the minister would discuss a treaty only if America paid a $250,000 bribe
and gave a $12 million loan. The American public
became furious about the XYZ affair. Still, Adams
did not declare war on France. This angered many
other Federalists. At last the United States and
France did negotiate a peace treaty.
THE ALIEN AND SEDITION ACT
The Alien and Sedition Acts, passed by Federalists
in Congress, became law in 1798. The Alien Act
empowered the president to remove foreign residents he decided were involved in any treasonable
or secret plots against the government. The Sedition
Act forbid U.S. residents to “write, print, utter, or
publish” false or critical words against the government. The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
stated that the acts were unconstitutional. Jefferson
and James Madison said that the states could disobey unconstitutional federal laws. Congress did
not repeal the acts, though they were not renewed.
The resolutions presented the view that states could
dispute the federal government. Later politicians
would say this idea meant that the states could
declare laws or actions of the federal government to
be illegal.
In the end, what occurred between
the United States and France?
Underline the sentence that
explains what the Sedition Act did.
CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Critical Thinking: Predicting Do some research to discover when in U.S.
history states would say that they could declare federal law to be illegal.
Write a brief essay explaining both sides of the argument.
HSS Analysis Skills CS 1, CS 5, HI 2, HI 3
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Answer Key
Chapter 6 Launching the Nation
CHAPTER SUMMARY
1. Federalist Party, Democratic-Republican Party
2. The Alien Act allowed the president to remove foreign residents he believed were involved
in secret plots against the government. The Sedition Act forbid U.S. citizens to write, say, or
publish anything that criticized the government.
3. Answers will vary.
SECTION 1 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Accept any responses that incorporate details from Washington’s inauguration and that correctly
use the letter format.
SECTION 2 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Students’ speeches should show an understanding of Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s views of people.
The speeches should be persuasive and they should incorporate details from the text.
SECTION 3 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
1790 Little Turtle leads Native American forces over U.S. forces
1791 Whiskey Rebellion breaks out when Congress passes a tax on American-made whiskey
1793 George Washington issues the Neutrality Proclamation
1793 Secretary of State Jefferson resigns
1794 United States and Great Britain sign Jay’s Treaty
1794 American Indians defeated in the Battle of Fallen Timbers
1795 United States and Spain agree to Pinckney’s Treaty
1795 Treaty of Greenville gives the United States entry to American Indian lands in the Northwest
Territory
SECTION 4 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Essays should state that in 1798, the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions declared it was the right
of the states to declare federal laws illegal. Essays should demonstrate an understanding of the
arguments for and against granting these powers to the states.
Chapter 7 The Jefferson Era
CHAPTER SUMMARY
1. War Hawks in Congress wanted to go to war with Britain because they resented British
restraints on U.S. trade. They also were concerned with British influence on Native
Americans.
2. Answers will vary. Responses should show an understanding of the War of 1812.
3. Answers will vary but may say that the size of the United States nearly doubled, opening more
western lands for settlers.
SECTION 1 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Speeches should show that students understand the issues of the 1800 campaign and how campaigns are waged today.
SECTION 2 CHALLENGE ACTIVITY
Students’ diary entries should incorporate details from the text about the Lewis and Clark
expedition.
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