US History - The Presidency of John Adams

From LearnSocialStudies

EQ What obstacles did John Adams face as president and how did he manage them?

Do Now: SEL: A Daily Creative Companion Your Feelings at this Moment? (Slide 7)


Lesson Overview
Utilized Activity Time Allocated Mode of Activity
____ Do Now _________ / 2-5 Min (Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____ Mini Lesson _________/ 15-20 Min (Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____ Activity _________ / 20-30 Min (Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #_____)
____ Discussion/Exit Ticket _________ / 5-10 Min (Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____ Assessment _________ / 10-40 Min (Individual / Think-Pair-Share / Pair / Group #____)
____ Conferencing _________ Min (Individual / Pair / Group #____ / Throughout Class Period)

John Adams

John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States (1797–1801). Hailing from New England, Adams, a prominent lawyer and public figure in Boston, was highly educated and represented Enlightenment values promoting republicanism. A Federalist, he was highly influential and one of the key Founding Fathers of the United States.

Alien & Sedition Acts

The Naturalization Act (officially An act supplementary to, and to amend the act to establish a uniform rule of naturalization; and to repeal the act heretofore passed on that subject; repealed and replaced the Naturalization Act of 1795 to extend the duration of residence required for aliens to become citizens of the United States from five years to fourteen years.


The Alien Act (officially An Act Concerning Aliens; authorized the president to deport any resident alien considered "dangerous to the peace and safety of the United States." It was activated June 25, 1798, with a two year expiration date.


The Alien Enemies Act (officially An Act Respecting Alien Enemies; authorized the president to apprehend and deport resident aliens if their home countries were at war with the United States of America. Enacted July 6, 1798, and providing no sunset provision, the act remains intact today as 50 U.S.C. §§ 21 At the time, war was considered likely between the U.S. and France.


The Sedition Act (officially An Act in Addition to the Act Entitled "An Act for the Punishment of Certain Crimes against the United States"; made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or certain officials. It was enacted July 14, 1798, with an expiration date of March 3, 1801 (the day before Adams' presidential term was to end).

XYZ Affair

The XYZ Affair was a 1798 diplomatic episode during the administration of John Adams that Americans interpreted as an insult from France. It led to an undeclared naval war called the Quasi-War, which raged at sea from 1797 to 1800. The Federalist Party took advantage of the national anger to build an army and pass the Alien and Sedition Acts to damage the rival Democratic Republican Party.

Classwork & Homework

Lesson PowerPoint: Presidency of John Adams

Lesson Activity: Write a summary paragraph (5-10) sentences on the challenges faced by John Adams and the events of his presidency. Submit on Paper, Not Electronically.