washington – monroe open ended

Why did Alexander Hamilton want to create a Bank for the United States, and how did he counter Jefferson's argument that the Constitution gave congress no specific power to create such a bank?

Hamilton’s reasons:

• He believed a national bank would help the country manage its debts and create a strong economy.

• The bank could lend money to the government and businesses to help them grow.

• It would create a stable national currency, making trade easier between states.

• The bank could collect taxes and keep government money safe.

Jefferson’s reasons:

• The Constitution didn’t say Congress could create a bank, so he believed they shouldn’t do it.

• He thought the government should only have powers that were clearly written in the Constitution.

• He worried a national bank would give the government too much power.

Explain and give an example of George Washington and John Adams’ philosophy of foreign policy. Then apply this philosophy to the United States’ recent military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. Would Washington and Adams have approved?

Their policies:

• They believed in staying neutral and avoiding getting involved in other countries’ conflicts.

• Washington’s Farewell Address warned against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations.

• Adams also avoided war, choosing diplomacy instead, like in the XYZ Affair, where he avoided war with France.

• Their goal was to keep the U.S. independent and focused on its own growth rather than getting dragged into foreign wars.

Approval:

• Probably not, since they believed in avoiding foreign conflicts unless the U.S. was directly threatened.

• They might have supported defending the U.S. from terrorism, but they would likely have opposed long-term military involvement in other countries.

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 say? Why did the Federalist-dominated government pass the Alien and Sedition Acts? Overall, did they work?

What the Alien and Sedition Acts Said:

• The Alien Acts made it harder for immigrants to become U.S. citizens (increased wait time from 5 to 14 years) and allowed the president to deport foreigners seen as a threat.

• The Sedition Act made it illegal to criticize the government in newspapers or speeches. People could be fined or jailed for speaking out against the government.

Why the Federalists Passed These Acts:

• They worried immigrants would support their political opponents.

• They wanted to weaken critics of the government.

• They claimed the laws would help protect the country from threats, especially from France.

Did They Work?

• They backfired—many Americans saw them as an attack on free speech and democracy.

• The laws angered Democratic-Republicans and helped Thomas Jefferson win the presidency in 1800.

• The acts were mostly repealed or expired within a few years.

How did the 12th Amendment, adopted in 1804, change the Constitution, and why did the elections of 1796 and 1800 make this amendment necessary? [Answer using the chart below. Then explain how the 12th Amendment changed how we voted for President.]

How the 12th Amendment Changed the Constitution:

• Before, the candidate with the most votes became president, and the runner-up became vice president (even if they were from different parties).

• The 12th Amendment made it so electors voted separately for president and vice president, preventing confusion and party conflicts.

What are two reasons James Madison asked congress for a declaration of was in 1812? If you were president in 1812, would you have asked congress for a declaration of war?

Two Reasons James Madison Asked for War in 1812:

1. British attacks on American ships – The British were seizing American ships and forcing American sailors to serve in the British navy (a practice called impressment).

2. British support for Native American resistance – The British were helping Native American tribes fight against American settlers moving west.

Would I ask congress to declare war?:

• I would because they are causing problems with the us.

What does status quo antebellum mean, and how does it relate to the war of 1812?

• Meaning of "Status Quo Antebellum":

  • A Latin phrase meaning "the way things were before the war."

• How It Relates to the War of 1812:

  • The Treaty of Ghent (1814), which ended the war, restored things back to how they were before the war started.

  • No land changed hands, and neither the U.S. nor Britain gained or lost territory.

  • Issues like British impressment and Native American conflicts were not directly resolved, but fighting stopped, and trade resumed.

Answer the following questions about the American System:

-Who devised it?

-How did it work, in theory?

-What role did the government play in implementing the American System?

• Who Devised It?

  • Henry Clay, a Kentucky senator and Speaker of the House, created the American System.

• How Did It Work, in Theory?

  • It aimed to strengthen the U.S. economy by connecting different regions.

  • It had three main parts:

    1. Protective tariffs

    2. A national bank

    3. Internal improvements

• What Role Did the Government Play?

  • The government set tariffs to protect U.S. industries.

How did the Missouri Compromise resolve the issue of slavery in the United States? Was this a good solution? Why?

• How It Resolved Slavery Issues:

  • Missouri became a slave state, and Maine became a free state to keep things equal.

  • Slavery was banned north of the 36°30' line in the Louisiana Territory (except Missouri).

• Was It a Good Solution?

  • Short-term: Yes, because it kept peace between the North and South.

  • Long-term: No, because it didn’t fix the slavery debate and caused more problems later.