CHAPTER 9 • SECTION 3
ANALYZING Political Cartoons
The XYZ Affair
“The Paris Monster” is the official title of this 1798 political cartoon satirizing the XYZ Affair. On
the right, the five members of the French Directory, or ruling executive body, are shown demanding
money. On the left, the three American representatives declare “Cease bawling, monster! We will
not give you sixpence!!”
ANALYZING Political Cartoons
Note that French relations with the United
States were already poor at the time, with
the French seizing U.S. ships bound for
Britain. In this case, French actions insulted
the American public, and cartoons like this
heightened anti-French feelings.
• Why do you think the figures at the right
are presented as they are? (Possible
Answer: to show that the French are
unsavory in their interests and styles)
CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER
Compare and Contrast The French
Directory is a monster complete with
weapons and many heads; the American
representatives appear normal, honest,
and unarmed.
The French Directory is a fiveheaded monster–demanding
“Money, Money, Money!!”
The Americans answer, “Cease
bawling, monster! We will not
give you sixpence!”
CRITICAL THINKING Compare and Contrast How would you contrast the cartoon’s
depiction of the American representatives with its depiction of the French Directory?
Unit 4 Resource Book
• Primary and Secondary Sources,
pp. 38–39
See Skillbuilder
Handbook,
page R24.
Marshall to Paris. Arriving there, they requested a meeting with the French
minister of foreign affairs. For weeks, they were ignored. Then three French
agents—later referred to as X, Y, and Z—took the Americans aside to tell
them the minister would hold talks. However, the talks would occur only if
the Americans agreed to loan France $10 million and to pay the minister a
bribe of $250,000. The American representatives refused.
Affair.
Adams received a full report of what became known as the XYZ Affair
After Congress and an outraged public learned of it, “Millions for defense,
not one cent for tribute!” became the popular slogan of the day. In 1798,
Congress canceled its treaties with France and allowed U.S. ships to seize
French vessels. Congress also set aside money to expand the armed forces.
More About . . .
The French Directory
France continued to attempt to construct
a new government after the French
Revolution toppled the monarchy. The
Directory was composed of five members
and lasted a total of 4 years, which was
longer than previous regimes. As well as
angering the United States, it suffered from
internal corruption, sometimes canceling
election results that didn’t support its views.
The Alien and Sedition Acts Conflict with France made Adams and the
Federalists popular with the public. Many Democratic-Republicans, however,
were sympathetic to France. One Democratic-Republican newspaper called
Adams “the blasted tyrant of America. Angered by criticism in a time of crisis,
Adams blamed the Democratic-Republican newspapers and new immigrants,
330 Chapter 9
INTERDISCIPLINARY ACTIVITIES
CONNECT
330 • Chapter 9
to Art
CONNECT
to Language Arts
Create a Poster in Support of a
Stronger Army and Navy
Write an Editorial Rejecting French
Demands for Tribute
Note that the XYZ Affair promoted strong antiFrench feelings in Congress and the American
people. Have students prepare posters from the
late 1700s that support a stronger American
army and navy in response to French offenses,
such as attacks on ships or demands for tribute
and bribes. Posters should contain strong
images and text.
Have students write editorials explaining
important reasons to reject French demands
for tribute and calling for a strong response to
French attacks on American ships. Editorials
should include vivid, forceful language.
CHAPTER 9 • SECTION 3
many of whom were sympathetic to the Democratic-Republicans. To silence
their critics, the Federalist Congress passed the Alien and Sedition Acts in
aliens, or immigrants who were not yet citizens.
1798. These acts targeted aliens
One act increased the waiting period for U.S. citizenship from 5 to 14
years. Other acts gave the president the power to arrest suspicious aliens or
sedition, or stirring up rebeldeport them in wartime. Another act outlawed sedition
lion against a government. Ten Democratic-Republican newspaper editors
were convicted of opinions damaging to the government. With these acts,
the Federalists clamped down on freedom of speech and the press and tried
to silence their opposition.
CONNECT
What political traditions and tensions
first appeared in the early years of the
new republic?
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions Jefferson and Madison looked
for a way to fight the Alien and Sedition Acts. They found it in a theory called
states’ rights
rights—the idea that states have certain rights that the federal government cannot overrule. Madison’s resolution was approved by the Virginia
legislature. Jefferson’s resolution was adopted by the Kentucky legislature.
This idea of states’ rights set a precedent for future conflicts in the nation
between the states and the national government.
CONNECT
Ask students what they have learned so far
that can help them answer this question.
Use the graphic on p. 331 or display the
transparency.
Unit 4 Transparency Book
• Essential Question Graphic, TT5
to the Essential Question
What political traditions and tensions first appeared in the early years
of the new republic?
PROBLEMS
SOLUTIONS
Washington faces many challenges
He creates first cabinet members
Authority of state and federal courts
1789
is in question
Declares U.S. neutrality in foreign affairs
1790
Nation’s finances are in crisis
Hamilton sets up National bank.
1793
French Revolution in progress:
France and Britain at war
U.S. declares neutrality in foreign affairs
Conflict arises in the Northwest
(1795) Native Americans sign Treaty of Greenville.
Britain seizes American ships.
Jays’ Treaty reduces U.S.—Britain border disputes
U.S. challenges Spanish trade
restrictions.
Pinckney’s Treaty establishes 31st parallel as U.S. southern
boundary
1794
1795
1796 Disagreements over interpretation
of the Constitution
to the Essential Question
Congress passes Federal Judiciary Act.
Point out that the nation experienced both
traditions and tensions as it worked to
establish a new type of government.
• Which traditions continue today?
(Possible Answers: appointing a cabinet,
government managing the economic
and banking system, system of tariffs
and taxes to raise money, political
parties, debate over interpretation of
Constitution)
• Do you think political parties created
more benefits than problems? (Benefits:
debate on important issues, requirement
for compromises; Problems: constant
debate rather than cooperation)
CRITICAL THINKING ANSWER
Draw Conclusions The United States
declared neutrality and used negotiations
to resolve conflicts.
Two political parties develop: Federalist Party and DemocraticRepublican Party.
More About . . .
CRITICAL THINKING Draw Conclusions How did the United States manage to
stay out of overseas wars during this period?
Launching a New Republic 331
DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION: TIERED ACTIVITIES
OBJECTIVE Describe the conflicts during Adams’s administration.
Basic
On Level
Challenge
Have students create a chart
listing the major conflicts
faced by John Adams’s
administration. Have students
write one or two sentences
about each item. Then have
them present their charts to
the class.
Have students identify conflicts that arose during the
Adams administration that
people still disagree about in
the present. Have students
create a chart to compare and
contrast the issues then and
now. Then have them present
their charts to the class.
Have students do library or
Internet research to learn what
exceptions to free speech
U.S. courts have ruled to be
allowable. Have students
create a chart to summarize
what they have learned in
a chart and present their
findings to the class.
Arrests Under the Alien and
Sedition Acts
Newspapers at the time often published
harshly worded stories supporting certain
positions, but the Alien and Sedition Acts
made it possible to arrest the writers.
Benjamin Franklin’s grandson, a newspaper
editor who had once called Adams “old,
. . . bald, blind, crippled,” was arrested
for his criticisms of Adams’s government.
Representative Matthew Lyon of Vermont
severely criticized Adams’s actions towards
France and wrote that Adams sought
“foolish adulation” and suffered “selfish
avarice.” He, too, was arrested but won
reelection while in jail.
Teacher’s Edition • 331
CHAPTER 9 • SECTION 3
The Kentucky Resolution, in particular, insisted on the principle of
nullification or the idea that a state could nullify, or cancel, any act of Congress
nullification,
and Virginia Resolutions warned
that it considered unconstitutional. The Kentucky andVirginia
of the dangers that the Alien and Sedition Acts posed to a government of
checks and balances as these checks and balances were guaranteed by the
Constitution. Jefferson and Madison were not successful in overturning the
acts while Adams was President. However, within two years the DemocraticRepublicans won control of Congress, and they either reversed the acts or let
them expire between 1800 and 1802.
More About . . .
Jefferson’s Work on the
Kentucky Resolution
As the elected vice-president for his political
opponent, John Adams, Jefferson felt he
could not be seen as vocally supporting
states’ rights in opposition to the federal
government he represented. So he worked
secretly to write and submit the Kentucky
Resolution. It was originally intended to be
considered in North Carolina, but political
changes there made it more reasonable for
it to be considered and passed in Kentucky.
4
Assess & Reteach
Assess Have students complete the Section
Assessment.
Unit 4 Resource Book
• Section Quiz, p. 45
Interactive Review
@ ClassZone.com
Power Presentations
Test Generator
Peace with France While Federalists and Democratic-Republicans battled
Answer: Americans were
divided by relations with
France and the Alien and
Sedition Acts.
at home, the United States made peace with France. Although war fever was
high, Adams reopened talks with France. This time the two sides quickly
signed the Convention of 1800, an agreement to stop all naval attacks. This
treaty cleared the way for U.S. and French ships to sail the ocean in peace.
Adams’s actions made him enemies among the Federalists. Despite this,
he was proud of having saved the nation from bloodshed. In 1800, Adams
became the first president to govern from the nation’s new capital city, Washington, D.C. In 1800, however, he lost the presidential election to Thomas
Jefferson.
MAIN IDEAS & DETAILS Explain the issues that divided Americans during
Adams’ presidency.
ONLINE QUIZ
3
Section Assessment
TERMS & NAMES
1. Explain the importance of:
• John Adams
• states’ rights
• XYZ Affair
• nullification
• Alien and Sedition
• Kentucky & Virginia
Acts
Resolutions
USING YOUR READING NOTES
2. Main Ideas and Details Complete the diagram
you started at the beginning of the section.
Reteach Have individual students prepare
an oral summary of one of the section’s main
headings and identify 2–3 main points for it. Ask
volunteers to present parts of their summary to
the class. Keep a cumulative record of the main
points on the board and add details as students
suggest them.
rise
of political
parties
Federalist
concerns
states’
rights
KEY IDEAS
3. What did Washington warn against before he left
office?
4. What led to the rise of political parties?
5. Why did Congress pass the Alien and Sedition Acts?
CRITICAL THINKING
6. Evaluate Why was Washington’s warning about
political parties not heeded?
7. Make Inferences Why do you think so many
merchants and manufacturers were Federalists?
8. Draw Conclusions How did the XYZ Affair show
the young nation’s growing confidence?
9. Synthesize How might the theory of states’ rights
undermine the federal government?
10.
Connect to Today What are some issues
that the two leading American political parties
disagree on today?
11. Writing Editorial Imagine you are a
newspaper editor in 1798. Write an editorial in
favor of, or opposed to, the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Unit 4 Resource Book
• Reteaching Activity, p. 48
Unit 4 Transparency Book
• Cause-and-Effect Chapter Summary, TT4
For test practice, go to
Interactive Review @ ClassZone.com
332 Chapter 9
SECTION 3 ASSESSMENT ANSWERS
Terms & Names
1. John Adams, p. 329; XYZ Affair, p. 330;
Alien and Sedition Acts, p. 331; states’ rights,
p. 331; nullification, p. 332; Kentucky &
Virginia Resolutions, p. 332
Using Your Reading Notes
2. Possible Answers: immigrants and criticism
during a time of crisis, war with France
Key Ideas
3. political parties, permanent alliances with
foreign countries
4. differences on how to interpret the
Constitution and on economic policy
5. to silence critics during conflicts with France
332 • Chapter 9
Critical Thinking
6. Disagreements over government continued.
7. Federalists favored government support and
encouragement of trade and manufacturing.
8. America refused to pay bribes and tribute and
prepared for war with France.
9. If states had the right to nullify federal laws,
the federal government would lose power.
10. Possible Answers: tax policy, foreign policy,
immigration
11. Editorials should include the writers’ opinions
about the Acts. Use the rubric to score
students’ editorials.
Editorial Rubric
Content
Accuracy
4
excellent; addresses all
important points
no errors
3
good; addresses some
important points
few/minor
errors
2
fair; addresses few important
points
several errors
1
poor; addresses no important
points
many errors