APUSH Key Term 8/9

test friday 10/11

Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

• alliance adopted in 1781

• established a weak central government with limited powers.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Established a systematic process for selling western lands, promoting settlement and organization of new territories.

Northwest Ordinance

Outlined the process for admitting new states from the Northwest Territory and established guidelines for governance and the prohibition of slavery.

Shays’ Rebellion

• uprising in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays

• protesting economic injustices

• highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

• proposal at the Constitutional Convention

• suggested a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population.

New Jersey Plan

• alternative to the Virginia Plan

• unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state

• protecting smaller states' interests.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Plan)

• compromise creating a bicameral legislature

• the House based on population

• Senate providing equal representation.

3/5th Compromise

• agreement counting each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for taxation and representation purposes.

Electoral College

• body established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President

• electors equal to congressional representation.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution fearing a strong central government, advocating for individual liberties and the Bill of Rights.

Federalists

• Supporters of the Constitution

• advocating for a strong national government and a unified nation.

The Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays promoting the ratification of the Constitution and explaining its principles.

Republican Motherhood

• belief that women teach civic virtue and responsibility to their children

• contributing to democracy.

Daniel Shays

• former Revolutionary War soldier

• leader of Shays’ Rebellion protesting economic injustices.

Patrick Henry

• An opponent of the ratification of the Constitution.

James Madison

• A key architect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights

• known as the "Father of the Constitution."

Alexander Hamilton

• first Secretary of the Treasury

• advocating for a strong central government

• establishing financial policies.

John Jay

• first Chief Justice of the United States

• co-author of The Federalist Papers

• known for negotiating Jay’s Treaty.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution ratified in 1791, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

Assumption

• financial policy by Hamilton involving the federal government assuming state debts from the Revolutionary War.

Tariff

• tax on imported goods designed to protect domestic industries and raise government revenue.

Excise tax

• tax on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of certain goods, notably whiskey

• leading to the Whiskey Rebellion.

Strict construction

• judicial philosophy interpreting the Constitution

• limiting federal government powers to those explicitly stated.

Bank of the United States

• national bank established in 1791

• stabilized and improved the nation’s credit

• managed financial affairs.

Battle of the Wabash

• 1791 battle

• American forces suffered a significant defeat against Native American tribes.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising of farmers protesting an excise tax on whiskey, suppressed by federal troops.

Neutrality Proclamation

• declaration by President Washington in 1793

• the U.S. would remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

• 1794 battle

• U.S. forces defeated Native American tribes

• leading to the Treaty of Greenville.

Treaty of Greenville

• 1795 agreement ending the Northwest Indian War and ceding territories to the United States.

Jay’s Treaty

A 1794 treaty with Britain aimed at resolving issues from the Revolutionary War, criticized for not addressing all grievances.

Pinckney’s Treaty

• 1795

• agreement with Spain establishing friendly relations

• granting navigation rights on the Mississippi River.

Farewell Address

• George Washington's 1796 letter warning against political parties and foreign alliances

XYZ Affair

• 1797 diplomatic incident leading to an undeclared naval war known as the Quasi-War.

Alien & Sedition Acts

• A series of laws passed in 1798 limiting immigration

• curbing dissent against the federal government.

Virginia and Kentucky resolutions

• Political statements

• asserting states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional

• in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

George Washington

The first President of the United States, setting many precedents and advocating for neutrality in foreign affairs.

Edmond Genêt

A French diplomat whose actions during the French Revolution challenged American neutrality.

John Adams

• second President of the United States and a Federalist

• significant in early republic foreign affairs.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

• French foreign minister whose actions during the XYZ Affair escalated tensions between the U.S. and France.