Chapter 6 DCUSH

General information, not as much detail as the chapter is ling

Articles of Confederation (1781–1787)

America’s first government; weak national structure with no executive or judicial branch. Could not tax or regulate trade → caused economic depression, interstate disputes, and foreign disrespect.

Mount Vernon Conference (1785)

Hosted by George Washington; delegates from several states discuss trade issues → leads to Annapolis Convention, calling for reform of Articles.

Annapolis Convention (1786)

Only 5 states attended; Hamilton and Madison call for a full Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Constitutional Convention (1787, Philadelphia)

55 delegates meet to revise Articles but instead draft the U.S. Constitution; Washington presides, Madison leads debates (“Father of the Constitution”).

Great (Connecticut) Compromise (1787)

Solved representation debate—bicameral Congress: Senate (equal) and House (population-based). Blended Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

Three-Fifths Compromise (1787)

Each enslaved person counted as 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation; slave trade protected until 1808.

Commercial Compromise (1787)

Allowed Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade but forbade export taxes—balanced North-South economic interests.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists (1787–1788)

(Hamilton, Madison, Washington) wanted a strong central government; Anti-Federalists (Henry, Mason) wanted states’ rights and a Bill of Rights.

The Federalist Papers (1787–1788)

85 essays by Hamilton, Madison, Jay defending the Constitution and explaining its principles; key in New York’s ratification.

Bill of Rights (1791)

First ten amendments guaranteeing freedoms (speech, press, religion, due process, etc.); added to win Anti-Federalist support for ratification.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created Supreme Court (6 justices) and lower federal courts; established structure of U.S. judiciary system.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan (1790–1791)

Called for paying national debt, assuming state debts, protective tariffs, and a national bank. Strengthened federal power; opposed by Jefferson.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

Washington declares neutrality during France–Britain war; Jefferson resigns in protest; sets precedent for U.S. isolationism.

Citizen Genet Affair (1793)

French diplomat Edmond Genet violates U.S. neutrality by rallying Americans for France; recalled after Washington protests.

Jay’s Treaty (1794)

Britain agrees to evacuate forts in Northwest; no end to ship seizures. Keeps peace but angers pro-French Americans.

Pinckney’s Treaty (1795)

U.S. gains navigation rights on Mississippi River and New Orleans; sets 31st parallel as Florida boundary with Spain.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

General Anthony Wayne defeats Native confederacy in Ohio; leads to Treaty of Greenville (1795) opening the region to settlers.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Farmers protest whiskey tax; Washington sends 15,000 militia—shows strength of new federal government compared to Shays’s Rebellion.

Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

Warns against political parties, sectionalism, and permanent foreign alliances; establishes two-term tradition for presidents.

Federalist Party (1790s)

Led by Hamilton and Adams; favored strong central government, pro-British, supported business, national bank, and tariffs.

Democratic-Republican Party (1790s)

Led by Jefferson and Madison; favored states’ rights, pro-French, supported agriculture, opposed bank and high tariffs.

XYZ Affair (1797)

French agents demand bribes from U.S. diplomats; slogan “Millions for defense, not one cent for tribute”; sparks anti-French sentiment.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Federalist laws to suppress opposition—extended citizenship wait (14 yrs), allowed deportation of foreigners, and criminalized criticism of gov’t; violated First Amendment.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1799)

Written by Jefferson (KY) and Madison (VA); claimed states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws—early argument for states’ rights.

Election of 1800 (“Revolution of 1800”)

Jefferson and Burr tie; House elects Jefferson after Hamilton intervenes. Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans—proves strength of Constitution.