Final answer:
John Adams' presidency tested the Constitution through his response to the XYZ Affair and the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, sparking debates on executive authority and individual rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Adams' presidency tested the Constitution in several ways. One of the main challenges was the XYZ Affair, where French officials demanded bribes from American diplomats. Adams resisted and pursued diplomacy rather than war, upholding the power of the executive branch. Another test came with the passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts, which limited free speech and targeted immigrants. While controversial, these acts highlighted the tension between national security and individual rights, raising debates on the constitutional limits of government power.
Learn more about John Adams' presidency and its impact on the Constitution