Adam's foreign policy led to the division of the Federalist Party as it decided to be in a neutral stance with the war between France and England. However, France did not see neutrality in America's trade with England.
Adam's fear of France made him create a domestic policy connected with a foreign decision, the Alien and Sedition Act. In his belief, this would help prevent France from getting into American government. The people did not believe that this can be a solution to the involvement in the quasi-war. These events made the people them lose their confidence to vote Adam for President.