APUSH Chapter 5 Test

British forts

After the Revolutionary War the British continued to occupy forts which limited westward expansion and created native resistance to the Americans. This also showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and how the government could negotiate with and make demands/forcibly remove others.

Natchez and New Orleans

These were two ports on the Mississippi River that were key for American trading. They were inaccessible due to the Spanish closing of the Mississippi River to Americans. This also showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and how the government could negotiate with others.

Foreign trade problems

Right after the war America faced depression as their main manufacturer, Britain, stopped trade with the west indies and also flooded their markets with cheap goods that undercut american manufacturing (weakened them). The Articles of Confederation also did not allow the government to impose taxes or tariffs to regulate commerce.

"not worth a Continental"

Due to foreign trade problems and national debt the U.S. continental dollar lost its value leading to inflation. The Articles of Confederation did not allow the government to insert taxes to fix this issue.

Annapolis Convention

In 1786 delegates from five states met to discuss trade but ended up discussing broader issues. This led to the creation of the Continental Convention and a recognition of the Articles of Confederation's weaknesses.

Shay's Rebellion

Massachusetts farmer Daniel Shays led a rebellion against debt, taxes, and not paying veterans. Due to the weakness of the Articles of Confederation private militias needed to put down this rebellion. Most are shocked/in fear but Jefferson believes that rebellions are fine in a healthy republic.

Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton was the leader of the Federalists and the secretary of the treasury for Washington. He wanted a strong central government and was a more loose interpreter. He also created a financial plan to get the nation out of debt and trouble.

James Madison

Madison was known as the father of the constitution as he created the Virginia Plan and later drafted the bill of rights. He was initially a federalist but after the constitution he joined Jefferson in the democrat-republican party.

Constitutional Convention

Held in Philadelphia, this convention was between delegates of all states but Rhode Island to create a better system of government. It was headed by Washington and overall they made a new constitution.

Virginia Plan

Created by Madison, this plan was backed by the bigger states and wanted representation based on population and also introduced the ideas of three branches of government.

New Jersey Plan

Created by William Patterson, this plan was backed by the small states and it wanted equal representation for all states and went against the Virginia plan.

3/5 Compromise

This compromise settled the dispute as to how slaves would be counted in taxation and representation. They would be counted as ⅗ of a person and this showed the contradictions of slavery.

Slave Compromise

This compromise said that congress would wait to ban the slave trade until 1808 due to their importance in the south. It also proposed the fugitive slave clause which stated that runaway slaves had to be returned.

Commerce Compromise

This compromise allowed congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade. It also stated that they would not have the power to tax exports.

Great Compromise/Connecticut Plan

Created by Rodger Sherman, it proposed a bicameral legislature (2 houses) one with representation based on population the other equal representation. This solved the debate between the Virginia and New Jersey plans.

Bicameral legislature

A two house legislature system that would be used for checks and balances to prevent one house from growing too powerful.

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18

This was the necessary and proper clause which stated congress had the power to make all laws "necessary and proper". This also allowed the strict vs loose interpretation debate.

George Washington

The first president of the United States, he also led the constitutional convention. He established the traditions of serving only two terms, having a cabinet, and being neutral in foreign affairs.

Ben Franklin

Promoted compromise and unity at the constitutional convention and helped to develop a stable nation.

Ratification process

They needed 9 out of 13 states to ratify the constitution. Federalists wanted the ratification while anti-federalists opposed it. Delaware was first to ratify the constitution and New Hampshire ratified it to make it official. Rhode Island was last and didn't for a while.

Anti-Federalists

They were against ratification and believed that the constitution made the government too powerful. Their criticisms caused an eventual bill of rights.

Federalists

Founding Fathers like Hamilton, Jay, and Madison that were for the constitution and argued that the government would not be too powerful due to checks and balances.

Federalist Papers

Created by Hamilton, Jay, and Madison these were articles that defended the constitution and helped sway public opinion towards ratification.

New York Convention

Here there was the hardest fought battle between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over ratification of the Constitution. With the support of the Federalist Papers, the Federalists won in a close decision.

Bill of Rights

These were the first ten amendments to the constitution that were adopted in 1791. They guaranteed civil liberties and calmed the Anti-Federalists worries of an overly powerful government.

Newburgh Conspiracy

Soldiers threatened a rebellion but Washington stopped them. Pennsylvania also barricaded congress members in the state house due to outrage. Overall showed anger at unpaid pensions for soldiers.

Mount Vernon Conference

Maryland and Virginia to discuss rights to Potomac River at Washington's house. Led to annual meetings between states and decided to invite all states to next meeting (Annapolis Convention which led to Constitutional Convention)

First Congress

The first congress put the new government into action. They began by creating the bill of rights and later Hamilton's financial program

Hamilton's Financial Plan

Three main parts: Assume state debts, create national banks, and begin taxing the citizens. This system established national credit and strengthened the economy but led to a divide between those who supported Hamilton and those who supported Jefferson.

Judiciary Act of 1789

This act created the federal judiciary including the supreme court and lower level courts. It allowed the new government to maintain justice in the nation.

Tariff Act of 1789

One of the first major laws of congress, it imposed taxes on imports which generated revenue and showcased a new power of the federal government.

Report on Manufactures

A proposal by Hamilton for the government to support manufacturing and economic diversification. Showed the government's economic ambitions.

National Bank

Part of Hamilton's plan, a national bank was created to create one national currency and handle government funds. It was controversial as people debated if the government had the power to do this.

Strict construction

Belief by Jefferson that the government should only use the powers specifically allowed in the constitution.

Loose construction

Belief by Hamilton that the government should be able to use powers implied by the constitution and that they should have a looser interpretation.

Assumption Plan

Hamilton's plan to assume national debt. This led to national unity and federal credibility.

Citizen Genet

A French Envoy who tried to recruit American ships as privateers to fight against Britain. Washington put an end to this as it would have violated US neutrality.

Whiskey Rebellion

Pennsylvania farmers began a rebellion against the price of whisky. Washington quickly ended this with a strong show of force and this showed the strength of the new government under the constitution.

Jay's Treaty

Treaty between America and Britain that was negotiated by John Jay. America was paid for the ships that Britain had seized and British troops left the western forts. This showed the negotiating that the new government could do and showed the start of building relationships with other nations.

Pinckney's Treaty

Thomas Pickney negotiated a treaty with Spain that allowed Americans to use the Mississippi River as the Spanish feared America and Britain working together. Strengthened national unity and was a success at no cost to the U.S.

John Adams

The second president of the United states who dealt with many issues during his presidency which showed the struggles of a young nation/republic. Under Adams political parties were more formally created.

XYZ Affair

French agents demanded bribes from the United States envoys who were negotiating with them. This led to the Quasi-War which was an undeclared naval war with France and tested Adams but never led to an actual war.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Passed by the federalist controlled congress, these acts increased the presidential power to deport citizens and made false speech against the government illegal. Led to questions being raised about civil liberties and state vs federal power and was questioned for being against freedom of speech.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolves

Virginia was resolved by Jefferson and Kentucky by Madison that said states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws. This showed the citizens' fear of an overly powerful government and put another check on the federal government.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

General Anthony Wayne successfully defeated Native Americans in the northwest which opened the area for settlers. Showed the start of westward expansion and the strength of the national government/army.