EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE: UNITS 1.5 & 1.6 - The Federalists

Federalist

A political group that supported a strong national government and the ratification of the Constitution.

Elastic Clause

A clause in the Constitution that allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers.

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Strict Construction

An interpretation of the Constitution that emphasizes a narrow reading of its text.

Loose Construction

An interpretation of the Constitution that allows for broader powers of the federal government.

Cabinet

A group of advisors to the President, typically heads of executive departments.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights.

Judiciary Act of 1789

A law that established the federal judiciary system in the United States.

Eleventh Amendment

An amendment that limits the ability of individuals to sue states in federal court.

Chisolm v. Georgia

A Supreme Court case that established the principle of sovereign immunity.

Sovereign Immunity

The legal doctrine that the government cannot be sued without its consent.

Southwest Ordinance of 1789

Legislation that provided a framework for the governance of the southwestern territories.

Rhode Island

The last of the original thirteen states to ratify the Constitution.

Society for the Abolition of Slavery

An organization formed to advocate for the end of slavery in the United States.

Hamilton Plan

A financial plan proposed by Alexander Hamilton that aimed to stabilize the American economy.

Protectionism

Economic policy of restricting imports to protect domestic industries.

Excise Tax

A tax imposed on specific goods, often used to raise revenue for the government.

Whiskey Rebellion

A violent tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791, which was suppressed by federal forces.

Commerce Clause

A clause in the Constitution granting Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Five Civilized Tribes

A term used to describe five Native American nations that adopted many European customs.

Cotton Gin

A machine invented by Eli Whitney that revolutionized the cotton industry by efficiently separating cotton fibers from seeds.

Treaty of Greenville

A treaty signed in 1795 between the United States and various Native American tribes, establishing boundaries and peace.

Jay Treaty

A treaty between the United States and Great Britain that aimed to resolve issues remaining since the Revolutionary War.

Haiti

The first independent nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, which gained independence from France in 1804.

Fugitive Slave Act

Laws that provided for the return of enslaved people who escaped from one state into another.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party founded by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison that opposed Federalist policies.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident between the United States and France that led to an undeclared war.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 that restricted immigration and limited speech critical of the government.

Virginia Resolutions (of 1798)

Political statements that argued states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800.

Fries' Rebellion

A tax revolt in Pennsylvania in 1799 against the federal government's tax policies.

Washington's Precedents

Standards set by George Washington during his presidency, including the formation of a Cabinet and the two-term limit.

Washington's speech

Emphasizes the importance of national unity, warning against political factions, regional divisions, and the dangers of foreign entanglements.

Strict construction of the Constitution

Based on a literal interpretation of the document, emphasizing that the federal government can only do what is explicitly authorized.

Loose construction of the Constitution

Relies on the Elastic Clause, allowing the government to take actions not specifically listed in the Constitution if they are necessary to fulfill its responsibilities.

Robert Farquhar

A diplomat whose significance lies in his role in opening trade negotiations with foreign nations, helping to establish the United States' international presence and commercial credibility.

The "Other Laws" of Washington's administration

Included the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Bill of Rights, and the Eleventh Amendment, significant for creating the judicial system, protecting individual liberties, and limiting federal authority over the states.

The Hamilton Plan

Called for the federal government to assume state debts, create a national bank, impose tariffs, and promote industry, stabilizing the national economy and strengthening the federal government.

Declaration of Independence

A historically significant document from 1776 that emphasized individual rights and liberty.

Pinckney Treaty

Widely celebrated for guaranteeing navigation rights on the Mississippi and opening trade with New Orleans.

Election of 1796

Significant because it was the first true contested presidential election with organized political parties.

Federalist vision

Represents a strong, organized federal government capable of maintaining order while protecting rights.

Significance of the Hamilton Plan

Stabilized the national economy, established creditworthiness, and strengthened the federal government, but fueled partisan conflicts.

Comparison of Declaration of Independence and Hamilton Plan

The Declaration emphasized individual rights and liberty, whereas the Hamilton Plan focused on strong central authority and economic structure.

Significance of the Whiskey Rebellion

Demonstrated the federal government's new strength under the Constitution.

Image on page 22

Likely represents the consequences of westward expansion or federal enforcement of law, visually showing tensions between federal authority, Native Americans, and settlers.

Main ideas on page 31

Stress the challenges of foreign diplomacy, domestic political divisions, and the importance of establishing a strong federal government to protect national interests.

Quasi-War with France

Conflict initiated by French anger over the Jay Treaty and America's neutral stance, leading to French attacks on American shipping.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolves of 1798

Documents asserting states' rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws, laying groundwork for future debates over federalism and state sovereignty.

Chisholm v. Georgia

Supreme Court case asserting federal jurisdiction over states, significant for prompting the Eleventh Amendment.

The Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, created to replace the weak Articles of Confederation. Its significance lies in creating a strong central government capable of regulating commerce, raising an army, and enforcing laws, while also establishing checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

State Constitutions

Early frameworks for governance at the state level, often emphasizing limited executive power and protecting individual rights. They influenced the federal Constitution and highlighted the tension between state sovereignty and national authority.

Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787)

A violent uprising of indebted Massachusetts farmers protesting economic policies and state taxation. Its significance lies in exposing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Federalism

A system of government dividing power between national and state authorities. Its cause was the need for both effective national governance and protection of local autonomy.

Philadelphia Convention (1787)

Also called the Constitutional Convention, where delegates drafted the Constitution. The cause was the inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation.

Anti-Federalists

Critics of the Constitution who feared concentrated national power and pushed for a Bill of Rights. Their significance lies in shaping protections for individual liberties.

Washington

As the first president, he set important precedents for the executive office, demonstrating leadership in domestic and foreign affairs while balancing emerging political factions.

Precedents

Actions like forming a Cabinet, serving only two terms, and asserting executive authority established models for future presidents.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

A protest against excise taxes on whiskey by frontier farmers, showing the federal government's ability to enforce law and maintain order.

French Revolution (1789-1799)

Initially inspired American republicans but became controversial as it turned violent, dividing American political factions and prompting Washington's Neutrality Proclamation.

Northwest Territory

Land west of the Appalachians; site of conflict with Native Americans, resolved by the Treaty of Greenville (1795).

XYZ Affair (1797-1798)

French diplomats demanded bribes to negotiate with U.S. representatives, triggering public outrage and increasing anti-French sentiment.

Fries' Rebellion (1799)

A Pennsylvania tax revolt that was suppressed by federal troops, reinforcing the Federalist commitment to law and order.

Republican Motherhood

The belief that women's civic duty was to raise virtuous, informed citizens, shaping social expectations and promoting education for women.

Republicanism

Ideology emphasizing civic virtue, public participation, and resistance to corruption, guiding early political culture.

Jay Court

Early Supreme Court decisions under Chief Justice John Jay that strengthened federal authority over states.

Political Transformations

Creation of political parties (Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans), debates over strict vs. loose construction, and the establishment of national institutions.

Social Transformations

Expansion of civic culture, Republican Motherhood, and emerging debates over rights, slavery, and Native relations.

Economic Transformations

National banking, debt assumption, protective tariffs, excise taxes, and early industrial development.

Cultural Transformations

Public engagement through newspapers, debates over foreign affairs (France, Britain, Haiti), and the rise of American identity in relation to Europe.

Federalists

Promoted strong central government, commercial growth, and stability.

Urban Merchants

Supporters of the federal government during the formation of the U.S. Constitution.

Significance of the Treaty of Greenville

Demonstrated federal power in treaty-making and facilitated westward expansion.

End of the American Revolution (1783)

Marked the U.S. gaining independence and the need for a new government.

Philadelphia (Constitutional) Convention (1787)

Delegates drafted the Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Washington Inaugurated as First President (1789)

Established precedents such as the Cabinet and a two-term limit for presidents.

Judiciary Act (1789)

Created the federal court system and established federal judicial authority.

Hamilton Plan (Financial Plan, 1790)

Included federal assumption of state debts, a national bank, excise taxes, and tariffs.

Bill of Rights Ratified (1791)

Protected individual liberties and appeased Anti-Federalists.

Whiskey Rebellion Begins (1791)

Caused by an excise tax on whiskey that angered frontier farmers.

French Revolution Escalates (1792-1793)

Divided American politics, with Federalists fearing chaos and Democratic-Republicans celebrating liberty.

Thomas Jefferson Resigns as Secretary of State (1793)

Disagreement with Washington over neutrality and Hamilton's policies marked the emergence of political opposition.

Whiskey Rebellion Suppressed (1794)

Demonstrated federal government strength but also created political backlash.

Pinckney Treaty with Spain (1795)

Secured navigation rights on the Mississippi River and was widely popular in the U.S.

Jay Treaty with Britain (1794-1795)

Avoided war but was unpopular, seen as favorable to Britain.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Involved French diplomats demanding bribes, sparking anti-French sentiment.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Expanded federal power, restricted speech, and targeted immigrants.

End of Federalist Era (1800)

Marked by Thomas Jefferson's election and a transition to Democratic-Republican leadership.