US 11H New Nation/Early Presidents Vocabulary List

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and definitions from the US 11H New Nation/Early Presidents lecture notes.

George Washington

Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797.

Precedent

An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the structure of the federal judiciary, creating a system of district and circuit courts under the Supreme Court.

Cabinet

A group of people with the constitutional or legal task to rule a country or state, or advise a head of state, usually from the executive branch.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

A series of measures to stabilize the new American economy, including the federal government's assumption of state debts and the creation of a national bank.

Whiskey Rebellion

A violent tax protest in the United States from 1791 to 1794 against an excise tax on whiskey.

Jay’s Treaty

A 1794 agreement between the United States and Great Britain that sought to avert war by settling disputes remaining after the American Revolution.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident in 1797–1798 between the United States and France that nearly led to a full-scale war.

John Adams

Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801.

Alien and Sedition Acts

A series of four laws passed by Congress in 1798 that restricted speech and made it easier to deport immigrants.

Election of 1800

A pivotal and contentious presidential election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson that ended in a tie decided by the House of Representatives.

Thomas Jefferson

An American Founding Father and the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809, primary author of the Declaration of Independence.

Louisiana Purchase

A 1803 land deal between the United States and France that doubled the size of the U.S. by acquiring approximately 828,000 square miles of territory.

Lewis and Clark

American explorers who led the Corps of Discovery on the first U.S. expedition to the Pacific Coast from 1804 to 1806.

James Madison

An American statesman who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817.

War of 1812

Fought between the United States and Great Britain over issues like British impressment of American sailors.

Francis Scott Key

An American lawyer and poet best known for writing the poem that became the national anthem, 'The Star-Spangled Banner'.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

A landmark Supreme Court case establishing that the federal government has implied powers under the Constitution.

Gibbons v. Ogden

A Supreme Court case that expanded upon the powers of the commerce clause, allowing Congress to regulate interstate commerce.

James Monroe

An American Founding Father who served as the fifth president of the United States from 1817 to 1825.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy established in 1823 that opposed European colonialism in the Americas.