American Presidents

A Site to Complement C-SPAN's 20th Anniversary Television Series, American Presidents: Life Portraits
March-December 1999

Key Events in President John Adams's Administration


• XYZ Affair—a diplomatic dispute that came to head after France hassled American ships and attempted to bribe America; it almost lead to war with France.
• Midnight Appointments---In an attempt to leave his mark on the next administration, Adams spent his final hours in office appointing judges and lesser court officials.

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