US History Unit 2 Study Guide - The New Nation

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, legislation, and concepts from US History Unit 2: The New Nation.

Articles of Confederation

The United States' first national government, which failed because it was too weak to collect taxes, enforce laws, or establish a national court system.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and split between the national government and the state governments.

Constitutional Convention

The gathering where the U.S. Constitution was drafted and key issues regarding representation in Congress were addressed through compromises between large and small states as well as slave states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

An agreement made during the Constitutional Convention that counted each enslaved person as $3/5$ of a vote for state representation in Congress.

Elastic Clause

A provision in the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress flexibility to make laws and rules for new problems that arise, even if those powers are not explicitly written in the Constitution.

Federalists

A political party that supported a strong national government, a strong economy, tariffs, taxes, and a national bank.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party that advocated for strong state governments and a smaller national government.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution that protect the rights of individual citizens.

Alexander Hamilton

A Founding Father who shaped the early U.S. economy by proposing a national bank, tariffs, and taxes to connect the national government to the economy.

Precedents of Washington

Traditions set by George Washington during his presidency for future leaders to follow, including creating a cabinet and serving a limit of two terms.

Whiskey Rebellion

A revolt by farmers against a tax on whiskey that President Washington suppressed by dispatching military troops to enforce federal laws.

Washington's Foreign Policy

President Washington's strategy of remaining neutral in foreign conflicts, specifically the war between Britain and France.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Legislation that expanded federal power and made it illegal to speak ill of the government, which angered citizens by violating First Amendment rights.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Statements written by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson asserting that states and Congress could challenge federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase

A land deal that allowed settlers to move west past the Appalachian Mountains and stood as a key example of American national growth.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court decision that established the principle of judicial review.

War of 1812

A conflict between Great Britain and the United States triggered by Britain seizing American ships and forcing American sailors to work on British vessels.

Nationalism

An extreme sense of loyalty and devotion to one's nation.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy statement declaring that European powers should not attempt to establish new territories in the Americas.

Missouri Compromise

A legislative compromise that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state while restricting slavery in portions of the Louisiana Purchase territory.

Sectionalism

A strong loyalty to the beliefs and interests of a specific region or area rather than the nation as a whole.