Early American History Prep

Who was the first President of the United States?

George Washington

Which President was known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

James Madison

What major land purchase occurred during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency?

Louisiana Purchase

John Quincy Adams was the son of which earlier President?

John Adams

Which President issued the Embargo Act of 1807?

Thomas Jefferson

Which of the first four Presidents was not a Virginian?

John Adams

What precedent did George Washington set by stepping down after two terms (The Farewell Address)?

A peaceful transfer of power

What did the War Hawks advocate for?

War with Britain and expansion into Canada

Name the two prominent War Hawk leaders

Henry Clay & John C. Calhoun

What were the main causes of the War of 1812?

Impressment, trade restrictions and Native American conflicts

Which U.S. region was most opposed to the War of 1812?

New England

What was the significance of the Battle of New Orleans?

Boosted U.S. nationalism and made Andrew Jackson a hero

How did the War of 1812 affect U.S. nationalism?

Strengthened it

Which U.S. ship earned the nickname “Old Ironsides”?

USS Constitution

What role did impressment play in leading to war?

British forced American sailors into their navy

What was the Hartford Convention, and why was it controversial?

Federalists met to oppose the war, seen as disloyal

Which political party’s reputation was damaged by the Hartford Convention?

Federalists

What did the Treaty of Ghent accomplish?

Ended the War of 1812 with no land changes

Did the Treaty of Ghent resolve the issue of impressment?

No

Why is the Treaty of Ghent often considered a “status quo ante bellum” treaty?

It restored conditions to how they were before the war

Who commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition?

Thomas Jefferson

What was the main purpose of the Lewis and Clark expedition?

Explore and map the Louisiana Territory

Who was Sacagawea, and how did she contribute to the expedition?

She was a Shoshone guide and interpreter

Where is the Sacagawea statue located, and what does it symbolize?

North Dakota; symbolizes her guidance and courage

What year was the Louisiana Purchase completed?

1803

How much did the U.S. pay for the Louisiana Territory?

$15 million

Which country sold the Louisiana Territory to the U.S.?

France

Who were the Midnight Judges, and why were they controversial?

Federalist judges appointed last-minute by John Adams

What Supreme Court case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison

What was the outcome of Marbury v. Madison?

Established judicial review

What was the XYZ Affair, and how did it affect U.S.-French relations?

French agents demanded bribes, which worsened American relations

How did the XYZ Affair influence American public opinion?

Increased anti-French sentiment

What was the significance of political duels in early U.S. politics?

They reflected intense personal and political rivalries

Which famous duel involved Alexander Hamilton?

Hamilton vs. Aaron Burr

What was the main difference between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?

Federalists favored strong central government; Democratic-Republicans favored states’ rights

Which party supported a strong central government?

Federalists

What was the Embargo Act of 1807?

A ban on U.S. trade with foreign nations

Which President signed the Embargo Act into law?

Thomas Jefferson

How did the Embargo Act affect the U.S. economy?

Hurt American merchants and farmers

Which foreign nations was the Embargo Act primarily aimed at?

Britain & France

Why did the Embargo Act cause conflict in New England?

It devastated shipping and trade

How did the Louisiana Purchase challenge Jefferson’s strict interpretation of the Constitution?

The Constitution didn’t explicitly allow land purchases

Why did the War Hawks want to invade Canada?

To expand U.S. territory and weaken Britain

How did the War of 1812 affect Native American tribes?

It weakened them and led to the loss of their land

What role did Dolley Madison play during the War of 1812? (Hint: The Burning of the White House)

She saved important documents and Washington’s portrait

How did the Hartford Convention foreshadow sectional tensions in the U.S.?

It showed New England’s willingness to defy the federal government when regional interests were threatened

Why was the nickname “Old Ironsides” important for American morale?

It showed that the USS Constitution could withstand British attacks, boosting national pride

Which event from this period had the most lasting impact on U.S. history, and why?

The Louisiana Purchase, because it doubled U.S. territory and set the stage for westward expansion