Thomas Jefferson And John Adams: The Revolution Of 1800

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Jessica Gonzalez
Professor Haas
April 22, 2014
The Revolution of 1800
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had been close friends despite their political differences. In fact they both grew up in wealthy families and lived as aristocrats. They both attended prestigious universities, attended law school and became lawyers. They also made a difference as presidents in different ways. John Adams was elected president in the year 1796 and served a term, before losing to Jefferson in the election of 1800. Adams influences were of the Federalist Party, which were “portrayed as the party of aristocrats (Democratic-Republican).” It was said that Adams wanted to keep the federal authority at a high level. Prior to being elected for president, Adams term did not seem promising because the war against France was near. In an effort to keep the peace with France, Adams sent three people from the commissioners to negotiate and keep the peace with France, yet France declined. Instead France was looking for and bribe from the United States. When the people of the United States became aware of the XYZ Affair, an effort to keep the peace with France they did not agree became outraged and began to dislike Adams. Adams’ policy was to “prepare for war, but work for peace (CYPRESS).” In the fulfillment of the policy Adams’ political party with many influences from Hamilton increased taxes and passed the Alien and Sedition Act (1978). The Alien and Sedation Act raised the number of years that a foreigner would need to live in the country prior to becoming an American Citizen from five years to fourteen years. The Act also gave the president the authority to imprison those who were considered dangerous to the safety of the people of the United States. All o...

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...ams was the vice president and Jefferson the first secretary of state for President Washington. There is a lot of controversy of when Jefferson and Adams dissolved their friendship some say that it was a particular event that dissolved their friendship, other say that it was an overall set of events. They dissolved their friendship, because Thomas Jefferson won the presidency in the Election of 1800. Adams did not attend the inauguration of Jefferson and went to retire with his wife Abigail in their Braintree farm. Adams didn’t speak to Jefferson for years until Abigail wrote a letter to Jefferson sending her condolences to him due to the passing of Jefferson’s daughter Polly. That’s when Adams and Jefferson rekindled their friendship through letters and continued to write to each other throughout the years leading to their deaths just hours apart on July 4th 1824.

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