Kenneth (kensmind) wrote in potus_geeks,
Kenneth
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John Adams and the Quasi-War

As we have seen from the two previous posts in this series, polarizing political issues are not something of recent invention. It seems that George Washington's vision of a nation undivided by factions lasted about a minute before Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were gathering up sides for their positions on such polarizing issues as England vs. France vs. neutrality, a strong central government vs. states' rights, and rule by legislature vs. popular vote. When John Adams succeeded George Washington in 1797, residual resentment remained from the perceived shortcomings of the Jay Treaty. Adams also had to deal with a new issue: French reaction to the treaty and to America's unwillingness to come to France's aid in its conflict with Britain. This led to something that has come to be known as the "Quasi-War" with France.



In a letter that John Adams wrote to James Lloyd in January of 1815, the second president told his friend, "I desire no other inscription over my gravestone than: Here lies John Adams, who took upon himself the responsibility of the peace with France in the year 1800." One might imagine that not starting a war was something reasonably expected, but for Adams who had to contend with significant political pressure, by not taking his nation into war, he paid a political price in order to do the right thing.

Peace with France was not the obvious choice for Adams, given the times. During Adams' term, he struggled to keep the United States out of the expanding conflicts taking place in Europe, especially the war between Britain and France. Alexander Hamilton and the Federalists favored Britain, while Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans favored France. The French wanted Jefferson to be elected president, and when he lost the election of 1796, the French displayed antagonism against the Adams administration. When Adams entered office, he realized the importance of continuing Washington's policy of staying out of the European war. This was difficult because many Americans felt short-changed by the Jay Treaty of 1795. This polarized politics within the nation.

The French saw America as too closely allied with Britain and as a result, they began seizing American merchant ships that were trading with the British. Many Americans remained pro-French, because of France's assistance during the Revolutionary War. Because of this, many Americans turned against Adams. But support for France declined with an incident that became known as the "XYZ Affair."

When an American team of diplomats were sent to France to negotiate a solution to French seizure of American ships, the French demanded huge bribes before any discussions could commence. When Americans learned of this, support for France in the United States rapidly declined. The Jeffersonians, who were friends to France, lost popularity and many Americans called for war with France. Adams and his advisers knew that America would be unable to win a war against such a strong military nation. Instead, Adams pursued a strategy in which American ships harassed French ships in an effort to stop the French assaults on American interests. This was in effect an undeclared naval war between the U.S. and France that became known as the Quasi-War, which began in 1798.

Fearing the danger of invasion from the much larger and more powerful French forces, Adams and the Federalist Congress built up the army, bringing back George Washington at its head. Washington wanted Hamilton to be his second-in-command and, given Washington's fame, Adams reluctantly agreed. Adams also built up the US Navy, adding six fast, powerful frigates, most notably the USS Constitution. To pay for the new Army and Navy, Congress imposed new taxes on property, known as the Direct Tax of 1798. This in turn angered taxpayers. In southeast Pennsylvania, the bloodless Fries's Rebellion broke out among rural German-speaking farmers.

As Hamilton asserted greater control over the War department, the rift between Adams and Hamilton's supporters grew wider. Hamilton tried to usurp presidential power by demanding that he control the army. He refused to recognize the necessity of giving prominent Democratic-Republicans positions in the army, while Adams wanted to balance power in order to gain Democratic-Republican support. Many became uncomfortable with Hamilton building a large standing army, adding to political divisions in the nation.

Adams knew victory in an all out war against imperial France would be folly. In spite of the adverse affect on his popularity, Adams sought peace with France. In February 1799, he sent diplomat William Vans Murray on a peace mission to France. Napoleon, not wishing to spread his army too thin, realized that the conflict was unwise, and expressed a willingness for friendly relations. At the Convention of 1800, a peace was achieved. Adams demobilized the emergency army.



Adams avoided war, but in the process, he split his own party. Peace hurt his popularity and probably cost him a second term in office. Nevertheless, Adams found satisfaction at having kept the nation out of what could have been a costly and potentially disastrous war.
Tags: alexander hamilton, george washington, john adams, thomas jefferson
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