American History Flashcards: Founding to Era of Good Feelings

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key people, events, and concepts from the notes (Pages 1–3).

Constitutional Convention (1787)

Convention in Philadelphia that produced the U.S. Constitution and shaped the federal government.

Constitution ratified (1788)

Formal approval by the states establishing the U.S. Constitution as the supreme law.

George Washington (1789)

Elected as the first President of the United States.

Bill of Rights added (1791)

First ten amendments protecting civil liberties and limiting federal power.

Whiskey Rebellion begins (1791)

Tax protests in western Pennsylvania testing the new government's authority.

Whiskey Rebellion crushed (1794)

Washington's use of federal force demonstrated the government's strength to enforce laws.

Jay’s Treaty (1794)

Agreement with Britain intended to resolve tensions and avert war, affecting trade.

Pickney’s Treaty with Spain (1795)

Treaty securing navigation rights on the Mississippi and access to New Orleans.

Washington’s Farewell Address (1796)

Farewell message warning against entangling alliances, political parties, and sectionalism; urged national unity.

Adams elected President, Jefferson VP (1796)

Political shift with John Adams elected President and Thomas Jefferson as Vice President.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Diplomatic incident with France that strained relations and led to calls for war.

Alien & Sedition Acts (1798)

Legislation restricting immigration and limiting political speech against the government.

Revolution of 1800 (1800)

Jefferson's election signaling a political shift in party control.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Territory purchased from France that doubled U.S. land.

Lewis & Clark Expedition begins (1804)

Expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase and Northwest territories.

Embargo Act (1807)

Federal embargo on trade with Britain and France to pressure them.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

U.S. victory against Tecumseh's Confederacy; prelude to the War of 1812.

War of 1812 begins (1812)

War between the United States and Britain under President Madison over impressment and trade disputes.

British burn Washington, D.C. (1814)

British forces attacked and burned the U.S. capital during the War of 1812.

Battle of Baltimore / Star-Spangled Banner (1814)

American defense that inspired the writing of the national anthem.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Decisive U.S. victory led by Andrew Jackson after the peace treaty was signed.

Treaty of Ghent (1815)

Peace treaty ending the War of 1812.

Era of Good Feelings (1815–1820s)

Period of political unity and national growth following the War of 1812.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Legislation that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, banning slavery north of 36°30' latitude in the Louisiana Purchase territory.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

U.S. foreign policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas and asserting U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere.

Election of 1824 (Corrupt Bargain)

Controversial presidential election where John Quincy Adams won despite Andrew Jackson winning the popular vote; involved alleged deal-making.

Erie Canal completed (1825)

Major infrastructure project connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via New York City, fostering economic growth.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Legislation authorizing the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to west of the Mississippi River.

Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)

Confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over high tariffs, raising questions about states' rights to nullify federal laws.