1798

  • News of "XYZ" is made public and embroils the nation.
    The Department of the Navy, with cabinet status is created.
    Congress repeals treaties with France.

  • Congress pass the Alien and Sedition Acts. With the US engaged in an undeclared naval war with France, and the French agents and spies know to be operating in the country, Congress declared that national security required passage of the Alien (Friends) Act, Alien Enemies Act, Naturalization Act and Sedition Act. Although enacted at a time when war with France seemed imminent, most of the laws were drafted so they could be used to minimize the Democractic Party criticism of the Federalist Party in the 1800 election.
  • The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions attack the Alien and Sedition Acts on constitutional grounds.
    gearmotion     Eli Whitney revolutionizes the manufacturing of firearms by introducing standardized assembly of interchangeable parts.

1799

• The Death of George Washinton

 

1800

  • The presidential election was a bitter contest between the Federalists, riddled with factional strife and the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson. An unprecedented number of voters were driven to the polls as a result of Jefferson's "get out the vote" campaign.
  • France and America sign the Convention of 1800 nullifying their treaty of 1778.Washington, D.C., becomes the national capital.

  • Congress pass the Alien and Sedition Acts. With the US engaged in an undeclared naval war with France, and the French agents and spies know to be operating in the country, Congress declared that national security required passage of the Alien (Friends) Act, Alien Enemies Act, Naturalization Act and Sedition Act. Although enacted at a time when war with France seemed imminent, most of the laws were drafted so they could be used to minimize the Democractic Party criticism of the Federalist Party in the 1800 election.
  • Gabriel Prosser Revolt. Born to an African mother, Gabriel grew up as the slave of Thomas H. Prosser. He was a deeply religious man and strongly influenced by biblical example. In the spring and summer of 1800, he laid plans for the first American slave insurrection. His purpose was to create an independent black state in Virginia with himself as king. He planned a three-pronged attack on Richmond, Va., that would seize the arsenal, take the powder house, and kill all whites except Frenchmen, Methodists, and Quakers. It is believed by some historians, that Gabriel's army of 1,000 slaves (estimates range from 2,000 to 50,000), assembled 6 miles outside the city on the appointed night, might have succeeded had it not been for a violent rainstorm that washed out bridges and inundated roads. Before the rebel forces could be reassembled, Governor James Monroe was informed of the plot and ordered out the state militia. Gabriel and about 34 of his companions were subsequently arrested, tried, and hanged. His abortive revolt greatly increased the whites' fear of the slave population throughout the South

 previousPrevious Page  home   Next Page  next

Anti-French cartoon
Anti-French Sentiment

This cartoon depicts a five-headed monster (leaders of France) demanding a bribe from American diplomats in the "XYZ" Affair.



John Adams, second president of the United States
John Adams, Federalist
2nd President (1797-1801)

"If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable, it is when it is when it springs not from power or riches, gradeur or glory, but from conviction of national innocence, information, and benevolence."

 
previous