United States Presidents have made crucial decisions over the course of American History.

Through challenges, presidents are forced to take action and create policies and regulations that they feel will help our nation. John Adams, the second President of the United States, served for one term from 1797 to 1801 and was part of the Federalist Party, which favored a strong central government. He had lasting effects on our country with his decisions. Adams took action to establish the Alien and Sedition acts of 1798 regarding citizens within the United States. Also, establishing our Navy as a reaction to the Quasi-War, Adams improved the United States strength against foreign nations for years to come. The Napoleonic Wars, a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing alliances, lasted from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars during the French Revolution of 1789, Napoleon revolutionized European armies and played out on an extraordinary scale, mainly because of the application of modern mass recruitment. French power rose quickly as Napoleon's armies conquered much of Europe but collapsed rapidly after France's disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon's empire ultimately suffered complete military defeat resulting in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in France. As a direct result of the Napoleonic wars, the British Empire became the foremost world power for the next century. The Democratic-Republicans supporting France before this threatened the U.S. Some Democratic-Republicans wanted such events equivalent to the French Revolution to come to the United States and overthrow the Federalists. French immigrants began traveling to the U.S. as paranoia swept Europe. Through these actions, the government was concerned with American citizenship and the problems it would soon bring about. Laws were authorized in attempt to decease the Democratic-Republican Party, such as the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 (Alien & Sedition Acts).

John Adams and the Federalists in Congress had to take action against the laws pertaining to U.S. citizenship, hoping to strengthen our nation as a whole. They developed a domestic policy, which consisted of a series of laws called the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798. This act encompassed four principle laws effecting the requirements of citizenship, the placement of stricter laws on immigrants chances of being deported, and limiting the rights of freedom of the press and assembly for citizens of the United States in preparation for the Napoleonic Wars. The addition of this act provided a safer nation and improved security within our country (Alien and Sedition Acts 1798).

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives whenever there shall be

a declared war between the United States and any foreign nationif any incursion shall be perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United Statesbeing males of the age of fourteen years and upwardsshall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured and removed, as alien enemies (Alien and Sedition Acts 1798). This segment of the act, called the Alien Enemies Act, stood to establish the Presidents domestic power, which allows him to remove any citizen of the United States and prosecute them, if by any chance they are suspected of threatening our country in any way. The addition of this act helps our nation as a whole become stronger Federalists, as it removes any Republican supporters in the act of attacking or threatening our country (Alien and Sedition Acts 1798). The second segment of this act was called the Alien Friends Act. Like the Alien Enemies Act, it allowed citizens of friendly nations also to be removed by the president if suspected of threatening our country. This would allow absolute security among our nation

and provide the government an assured feeling about the strength of federalism within the country (Combs, Jerald A.). As a means of citizenship requirements in the United States, Adams established the Naturalization Act. This specific act required all immigrants or aliens to register for the United States when they arrived and it placed all foreign aliens in the power of the government. The government then took another step towards weakening the DemocraticRepublican Party, raising the number of years needed to have lived in the United States from 5 to 14 years, before one could become a citizen. By this being added to the Alien and Sedition Act, it caused many aliens to move out of the U.S., as it took them 9 years longer to become a citizen, which became tough for many of the immigrants (Miller, John C.). The fourth Segment of the Act was named the Sedition Act. Adams constituted this law in order to prohibit the publishing of any false or inaccurate press that could be considered an act against the government. This could prevent any distorted information about our government with intentions to hurt or attack our nation that members of the Republican Party published (Borden, Morton). In contrast, the Democratic-Republicans brought this Sedition Act up as a violation of their 1st amendment. It violated their freedom of speech and freedom of press, though it never made it to the Supreme Court, which in turn would have been upheld by the justices during Adams presidency (Miller, John C.) The result of these acts was exactly what John Adams had intended. The Alien Acts led our nation to a stronger feeling of security, and the prevention of possible foreign attacks. As suspected in the Sedition Act, the Republican Party began to fear the consequences of what they saw as freedom of the press, and stopped publishing writings about the government

(Miller, John C.). Adams domestic policy put in place certainly changed the Republicans within the United States and affected our country for many years. As a president, challenges are faced in which they must take action for the better of their country, both foreign and domestically. The Alien and Sedition Acts, as one of John Adams domestic policies, affected the way foreigners were handled during his presidency. On the other hand, a foreign policy Adams put in place was during the Quasi War of 1798; establishing the U.S. Navy, in attempt to stop the Anglo-American trade conflicts in France. Beginning in 1793, France was in a continuous battle with England over allowing foreign ships to enter English ports for trade. The cause of the abrupt tension between France and England was the signing of the Jay Treaty in 1794. This was signed between the United States and Great Britain and declared limitations on trade eliminating British control in western ports, and decreasing the threat of war within the U.S. The French saw Jays Treaty as a threat, and began stopping American ships entering English ports for trade (Quasi-War with France). This war was never officially declared between the United States and France but had much importance, for it was the first overseas battle fought by ships. John Adams established the first Navy and provided our country with armed forces needed for protection from foreign countries. Without the addition of this Navy, our country was considered too weak (QuasiWar). Captain John Paul said, Without a Respectable Navy--Alas America! With this, he meant that without a strong navy, our country is nothing. We dont stand a chance against foreign nations, for the protection of our citizens (Federal/Quasi War).

As a result of the conflicts with France stopping English trade ships, Adams, asked for funds from the Congress to create this Navy for protecting our country. With funds, he would provide creation of the Navy, and a better defensive line on U.S. coasts. Also, he demanded the power to send up to 80,000 men to fight for our country when needed (American President: John Adams). The official launch of the U.S. Navy was on May 18, 1798 when he acknowledged Benjamin Stoddert as the secretary of the entire Navy (Launching the New Navy). As expected, the result of Adams creation of the Navy was extremely beneficial to the United States. While battles were occurring overseas, many Americans hoped that the war would build up and France and its government would be torn apart. Though, John Adams longed for peace in the end and creating a resolution with the French government. Eventually both countries agreed on a resolution, the Treaty Mortefontaine, which concluded the Quasi War in France and any future conflicts regarding the Republican Party. This had long term affects on the United States as it gave our country the much-needed strength to support our governmental actions. Also the U.S. was now seen as a threat to foreign nations during conflicts overseas (American President: John Adams). The Alien and Sedition Acts and establishment of the United States Navy were foreign and domestic policies set in place by Adams in attempts of resolving conflicts within our country. Every president faces major challenges and at times, is forced to make crucial decisions for the benefit of our nation. Adams creation of the Alien and Sedition Acts changed the security within our country, and opposed the Republican Party in support of

France. His establishment of the Navy gave our country the support and protection needed at times of conflict overseas, and the ability to enforce regulations regarding trade. Both the Alien and Sedition Acts and establishment of the Navy certainly affected our country as a whole, and are considered beneficial to the United States today.