History Test (3-3) Adams & Jefferson Era

What triggered the Quasi-War (US vs France)

• The Jay Treaty (1794) angered France

• France saw it as a betrayal and began seizing American ships

• Led to an undeclared naval war (1798-1800)

Alien and Sedition Acts

• Laws passed by Federalists during the Quasi-War.

• Alien Act: Allowed government to deport foreigners seen as threats

• Sedition Acts: Allowed punishment for criticizing the government

• Big Idea: Government could punish speech after publication if it was harmful

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

• They were secretly written by Jefferson and Madison

• Key Ideas…

• State’s Rights: Federal Government only has listed powers

• Nullification: States can declare federal laws “void” if unconstitutional

• Conflict…

• Federalists→ dangerous, could break the union

• Republicans→ protects citizens from government abuse

Federalists .vs. Democratic-Republicans

Key Differences

1. Government Power;

Federalists→ strong national government

Republicans→ strong state governments

2. Economy

Federalists→ industry, banking, commerce

Republicans→ agriculture, farmers

3. Constitution

Federalists→ loose interpretation (implied powers)

Republicans→ strict interpretation

Was Hamilton’s Financial System a success?

Yes- described as “the most perfect system ever formed”

What did Jefferson find out from Hamilton’s Financial Sustem?

• Asked to find flaws→ none were found

• Jefferson was disappointed but admitted it worked

• Even though he believed it was “radically vicious,” it couldn’t be removed

Barbary Wars

• Prompted by North African states attacking ships, enslaving crews, demanding ransom/tribute

• US had been paying tribute for years

• In 1801, Tripoli demanded $225,000 → Jefferson refused

• Result: US went to war instead of paying

Louisiana Purchase (Why was it ironic for Jefferson)

• He believed in strict interpretation of the Constitution

• But the Constitution did NOT allow buying foreign land

• Still did it anyway → used implied powers (Hamilton’s idea!)

• Big irony: Jefferson used the same reasoning he used to oppose

• How much was the land purchased for? $15 million (about 3 cents per acre)