John Adams Presidency: Challenges and Decisions — Reading Comprehension

John Adams became the second President of the United States in 1797, following George Washington’s two terms. The nation was young and fragile, facing both internal disagreements and foreign threats. Adams, a strong supporter of the Constitution and a leader among the Federalists, believed in a powerful central government to keep the country stable. However, his presidency was marked by serious challenges that tested his leadership and the new nation’s principles.

A major issue during Adams’s time was the growing tension between the United States and France. The French government, angry about American neutrality during its war with Britain, began seizing American ships. Adams sent diplomats to France to negotiate peace, leading to the infamous XYZ Affair. French agents demanded bribes before any talks could happen. This insult angered Americans and increased calls for war. Adams faced a difficult decision: should he listen to Federalists who wanted war, or try to keep the peace?

Despite political pressure, Adams chose negotiation over war. He strengthened the navy but continued diplomatic efforts. In a letter to his wife Abigail, Adams wrote, "Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war." This primary source reveals Adams’s belief that war should be avoided if possible, even when it seemed popular or patriotic. His decision prevented a full conflict with France, but it also upset some Federalists who accused him of weakness.

Domestically, Adams faced fierce political opposition from the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson. They argued that Adams and the Federalists threatened individual liberty. The most controversial laws of his presidency, the Alien and Sedition Acts, were passed in 1798. These laws gave the president power to deport foreigners and made it illegal to criticize the government. Federalists defended these acts as necessary for national security, especially during a time of international crisis. However, Democratic-Republicans saw them as attacks on free speech and the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

The passage of these laws revealed deep divisions in American society. Supporters believed that strong action was needed to protect the country from foreign influence and internal rebellion. Critics saw the laws as evidence of government overreach and a threat to democracy. Ordinary citizens, newspaper editors, and immigrants were directly affected. Some were jailed for criticizing Adams’s administration, which sparked public protests and heated debates about the meaning of liberty and security.

Adams’s presidency highlighted the complexities of leadership in a democracy. He was forced to balance national security with civil liberties, party loyalty with the public good, and personal beliefs with political realities. While his choices made him unpopular with some groups, historians now see Adams as a leader who placed the nation’s long-term interests above temporary popularity. The conflicts and contradictions of his presidency helped shape the way Americans debate questions of power, rights, and dissent even today.

Interesting Fact: Adams was the first president to live in the White House. He moved in while it was still unfinished, writing to Abigail, “May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof.”

Who was the second U.S. president?

What foreign country clashed with Adams?

What controversial laws were passed in 1798?

Why did Adams avoid war with France?

What was one effect of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

What did the Democratic-Republicans believe?

Adams was the first to live in the White House. True or false?

What does 'contradictions' mean in the passage?