Unit 3 Key Terms

Federalism

The principle of dividing government into federal and state levels.

James Madison

Known as the "Father of the Constitution," he also wrote the Bill of Rights and was president during the War of 1812.

Anti-Federalists

This group opposed the ratification of the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.

The Federalist Papers

These were written to promote the Constitution as good and necessary.

George Washington

Nicknamed the "Father of the Country," he led troops in the Revolutionary War, presided over the Constitutional Convention, and was the first president of the United States.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

This idea would create a Bank of the United States, assume state debts, and levy taxes on the American people.

Tariff of 1789

This law was the first tax on imports; it provided money for the federal government and protected American businesses.

Bank of the United States

This institution was meant to manage the economy and print currency; Democratic-Republicans thought it was unconstitutional

Whiskey Rebellion

This conflict involving farmers upset over an excise tax was significant because it proved the strength of the federal government under the Constitution.

Alexander Hamilton

He was the first Secretary of Treasury and led the Federalist party; he believed in a strong federal government and envisioned an economy based on manufacturing and commerce.

Thomas Jefferson

He was the first Secretary of State and led the Democratic-Republican party; he believed in weak federal government and strong state governments and envisioned an economy based on farming.

Jay's Treaty

This was an agreement with Britain that infuriated many Democratic-Republicans; it allowed British to capture American trade ships in exchange for Britain removing forts in the West.

Pickney's Treaty

In this deal between Spain and the United States, America was given access to Mississippi and New Orleans and a border dispute with Florida was settled.

Neutrality

Washington's foreign policy that declared that America would not favor any nation and would trade with all.

John Adams

President during the time of the XYZ Affair, the Quasi-War, the Alien and Sedition Acts, and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.

XYZ Affair

Event in which French agents demanded a bribe from American diplomats; led some Americans to call for war with France.

Quasi-War

Undeclared military conflict between France and the United States.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed by Federalists that discriminated against immigrants and made it illegal to criticize the Federalist-led government.

Virginia and Kentucky Revolutions

Passed in response to Alien and Sedition Acts, said that states could block unconstitutional laws made by the national government.

Nullification

According to this principle, states can void federal laws they find to be unconstitutional.

Washington's Farewell Address

George Washington's warning to Americans about foreign policy, political parties, and sectionalism.

Election of 1800

Also known as a "revolution" because power transferred between parties peacefully.

Louisiana Purchase

Event in which Thomas Jefferson doubled the size of the country.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Secret mission to explore the Louisiana Territory and find a water trading route from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review (the idea that the Supreme Court can rule laws or actions to be unconstitutional).

Impressment

Action of the British in which they kidnapped American sailors.

Embargo Act of 1807

Thomas Jefferson's response to tension between France and Britain, which was meant to keep America neutral but ended up sending the country into a recession.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who called for war with Britain prior to the War of 1812.

Tecumseh

Native American leader that lost to American troops in the Battle of Tippecanoe and then fled to Canada.

War of 1812

Military conflict between the United States and Britain that was the result of impressment and trouble with Native Americans in the West; also called the "Second War of Independence"

Hartford Convention

Meeting of Federalists in which the war with Britain was criticism and ultimately made Federalist look unpatriotic.

Treaty of Ghent

Agreement, signed in Belgium, that ended the War of 1812.

Battle of New Orleans

Took place at end of War of 1812, a "victory" for America that made Andrew Jackson a hero.Feeling of strong patriotism that resulted from the War of 1812

Nationalism

Feeling of strong patriotism that resulted from the War of 1812.