U.S. Honors History

Federalist

Who: Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, John Marshall

What: A national political party that supported strong federal government.

When: 1789-1801

Where: The United States

Why: They wanted to ensure that the government be strong and powerful.

How: They were a large influence at the time, and they helped make the government strong and mighty.

Democratic Republicans/Anti-Federalists

Who: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison

What: A political faction that believed in individual state rights and a less powerful government. Their leaders had a focus on agriculture.

When: 1792-1825

Where: The United States

Why: They wanted to make sure the government would not become too powerful.

How: They are important because they helped make sure the government did not get too powerful, and were a powerful voice the people.

Washington's Presidency- Farewell Address

Who: George Washington- Farewell Address

What: It was a speech that ended Washington's Presidency, and also helped warn the U.S. of the dangers of political factions.

When: 1796

Where: The speech was delivered via newspaper, and the newspaper was released in the U.S.

Why: Washington was ready to retire and wanted to return to a normal life.

How: It helped advice the U.S. on future presidency's, and warned them of the dangers of political factions.

The XYZ Affair

Who: John Adams, Mr. X, Y, and Z, French Minister, John Marshall

What: It was an affair that involved Americans sent by John Adams going to France to maintain neutrality. Instead of being met with the French Foreign Minister, they were met with three men titled “Mr. X”, “Mr. Y", and “Mr. Z". To meet with the Minister, the Americans had to have certain conditions met.

When: 1797

Where: Paris, France

Why: It was a very disrespectful act from the French that helped rise tensions and strain the relationship between the U.S. and French.

How: It proved that the U.S. would not be pushed around, and proved that we would not stand for disrespect.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Who: John Adams

What: The Alien Acts allowed the president power to deport aliens (people from other countries.) It also restricted immigration. The Sedition Acts were acts that disallowed criticism of the government, and called for a fine for anyone who violated this act.

When: 1798

Where: The United States

Why: it was passed to prepare for a war with France.

How: It helped people realize the power of the government and helped define certain laws and restrictions that can be passed.

Marbury vs Madison

Who: William Marbury and James Madison

What: It was a court case that discussed how Marbury was to be a Justice, but his commission was never delivered, because of James Madison refusing to.

When: 1803

Where: Washington D.C, United States

Why: Marbury wanted to be a judge but Madison refused because Marbury was in the rival party.

How: This is important because it was an important case that would determine what presidents could and couldn’t do.

The Election of 1800

Who: John Adams, Thomas Jefferson

What: It was an election that determined the 3rd President of the U.S. as Thomas Jefferson.

When: 1800

Where: The U.S.

Why: People believed that Jefferson would be a better president than John Adams.

How: It enabled the Democratic-Republican party to finally have a representative, and helped them enact their ideals and beliefs. It also let Jefferson do things like the Louisiana Purchase, which was an important part of history.

The Barbary Wars

Who: The U.S., Barbary Pirates

What: It was a selection of wars fought between the U.S. and Barbary states/pirates. It occurred because the pirates were ransoming ships that went through the Mediterranean.

When: 1801-1815

Where: Barbary States, Mediterranean

Why: The U.S. was sick of the Barbary States' treatment and ransoms. They decided to finally end it.

How: It helped prove to the world that the U.S. was strong and could fight back.

The Louisiana Purchase

Who: Thomas Jefferson, Napoleon

What: It was a purchase of land that nearly doubled the size of the U.S. Jefferson was unsure if it was constitutional as it wasn't explicitly determined if the president could buy foreign lands. It was bought from Napoleon.

When: 1803

Where: Louisiana Teritory

Why: Jefferson thought this was a good decision as it acquired the land of New Orleans and gave the U.S. more land, and helped push out the French.

How: This was important as it helped expand the U.S. into the large country it is now.

The Embargo Act

Who: Thomas Jefferson

What: It was an act that prevented American ships from trading internationally, and banned all American exports.

When: 1807

Where: U.S., Europe

Why: Jefferson passed the act in response to the British and French interference with American ships.

How: This was important as it helped to prove that not all boycotts can be beneficial, and helped them demonstrate how acts like this can be detrimental to the economy.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition

Who: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, Sacagawea, Toussaint Charbonneau, York

What: It was a journey that lasted 2 years. It helped the U.S. navigate the newly acquired Louisiana teritory.

When: 1804-1806

Where: The Louisiana Teritory, and Western land

Why: They wanted to discover and claim land west of the U.S.

How: Thi is important as it helped the U.S. understand and navigate the newly acquired + surrounding land.

The War of 1812

Who: James Madison, The U.S., Britain

What: It was a war fought over the British practicing impressment on the U.S., and the U.S. wanting to acquire land from Canada. A lot of patriotic feelings arised from the end of this war. And the national anthem came out of this war.

When: 1812-1815

Where: United States, Canada

Why: The U.S. didn't want to be taxed to trade with Europe, and they also wanted Native American land.

How: This is important as it was the first war the U.S. fought as an official nation, and helped the U.S. become the U.S.