Chapter 6 ID Annotations (APUSH)

Newburg Conspiracy and the Society of Cicinnati

• revolutionary war officers threaten to overthrow the AOC and establish a military dictatorship

• highlights some of the glaring problems facing the AOC and their inability to effectively deal with domestic debt. Also demonstrates the character of Washington to cool tempers and give this new Republic a chance to survive

• Washington was reminding his officers that the American Republic was much more important than personal gain

Annapolis Convention

• to discuss the problems of the AOC and to suggest solutions - this conference was focused on settling issues of interstate commerce and to better regulate international trade

  • Alexander Hamilton and James Madison form a bond that will prove useful at the Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

• a formal assembly of representatives called to revise or amend a nation’s constitution (were delegates from 12 states)

  • delegates from 12 states compromised a new constitution

  • copies were ordered and the ratification debates began

The Great Compromise

• also known as the Connecticut compromise; this ensured the Constitutional Convention and Union b/t the states would continue (was an agreement made)

  • resolved the most serious dispute at the Convention

• Blended both the Virginia and the New Jersey Plans, settling the issue of representation in Congress.

• balanced the interests of the large and small states, ensuring both had power in Congress

The Federalist Papers

• series of 85 essays written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison - written to counter the powerful arguments of those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution

  • provides the stronger arguments in favor of the New Constitution and a stronger central govt

Federalists

• “For the Constitution” - those in support of the ratification of the New Constitution and the abolition of the AOC

  • wanted stronger central govt was needed to maintain order and perserve the union

Anti-Federalists

• “Against the Constitution” - Those who were against the ratification of the new Constitution - Constitution lacks written Bill of Rights

  • proposed constitution had no bill of rights and it gave the central govt more power than the British ever had

Bill of Rights

• first 10 Amendments to the Constitution as a guarantee of rights to citizens

  • when the Federalist finally agree to these, the Anti-Federalist really don’t have any other strong argument against ratification of the Constitution

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

• financial difficulty under the Articles - demonstrates the new constitution that will be able to address issues of domestic and foreign debt

  • quickly restored the public credit

  • merchants benefited from new bank

Whiskey Rebellion

• this exercise tax on whiskey from Hamilton’s financial plan caused whiskey distillers of the backcountry western Penns to protest the new federal tax

• unlike Shay's Rebellion, this rebellion demonstrated that the new Constitution would be able to ensure domestic tranquility (domestic peace). Also, when Thomas Jefferson criticized the Washington administration for using excessive force he earned the loyalty of the farmers (many farmers will support the Republicans/Jeffersonian Republicans /Democratic-Republicans)

  • Hamilton and George Washington led around 15,000 nationalized troops to western Penns where the rebellion immeditaley dispersed

French Revolution

• inspired by the American Revolution; Americans rejoiced at the thought that their own revolution inspired the formation of another republic

• a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that overthrew its monarchy (aiming to establish a republic based on liberty, equality, and fraternity)

  • caused division in the US as Federalist supported the British and Republicans supported the French

Citizen Genet

• French minister to the US that broke a lot of diplomatic rules just to rally Americans for France

  • this incident endangered American neutrality

Proclamation of Neutrality

• first executive order in the US history - issued in 1794 in response to the war between Britain and France - France was trying to get the US to honor the 1778 Franco-American alliance

  • this kept the US out of war b/t Britain and France (at least until 1812 😬)

Jay’s Treaty

• Great Britain was impressing US ships and take cargo and sailors to serve in the British navy → John Jay was sent to England to negotiate a new commerical treaty

  • this agreement kept the US from going to war with Britain and did help open British markets to US merchants

Pickney’s Treaty

• was the direct result of the Jay’s Treaty - a 1795 agreement b/t the US and Spain that granted Americans the right to freely use the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans for trade

  • reopened the port of New Orleans

Washington’s Farewell Address

• Washington warned the Americans:

  • not to get involved with European affairs

  • not to make permanent alliances

  • not to form political parties

  • and to avoid sectionalism

Quasi War With France

• cause = XYZ affair. Undeclared naval war with France. Authorized American vessels to defend themselves against French impressement

  • US created the Department of the Navy as a result

XYZ Affair

• this war b/t Britain and France continued and the new commerical treaty negiotated b/t US and Britain → France got mad → France seized American ships → John Adams sent men out to negiotate → France demanded a bribe → was called this

  • began the Quasi War with France

Alien and Sedition Acts

• these consist of four laws passed by the Federalist Congress and signed by President Adams in 1798 in an effort to stop Republican support for the war with Britain

  • aimed to suppress dissent and control immigration during a time of tension with France

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

• written anonymously by Jefferson and Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts (was against), they declared that the states could nullify federal laws that they considered unconstitutional

  • this will put forth the theory of nullification and the belief that the states have the power to review Congressional enactments

Revolution of 1800

• refers to the election of Thomas Jefferson when power peacefully shifted from Federalists (John Adams) to the Democratic-Republicans

• was a pivotal contest in American history where Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican, defeated incumbent President John Adams, a Federalist

  • first peaceful transfer of power into rival parties

  • Jefferson emphasized unity in his inauguration speech

Midnight Appointments

• Jefferson won, alarming Federalists who feared their policies would be undone → the federalist-controlled congress expanded the federal courts (Judiciary Act of 1801) → President Adams quickly filled these new positions with Federalist Judges

• refer to the last-minute judicial appointments made by outgoing Federalist President John Adams in March 1801, shortly before his rival, Thomas Jefferson, took office

  • John Marshall was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in the last minute to pack all the federal courts with Federalists

  • strengthened the power of the federal govt over the states