Early American Republic and Presidencies

Vocabulary flashcards covering the foundation of the United States government, constitutional compromises, and key events across the Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Madison presidencies.

Northwest Ordinance

Set rules for settling the Northwest Territory and creating new states.

Shays' Rebellion

A farmers' rebellion against taxes and debt that showed the national government was too weak.

Virginia Plan

Proposed representation in Congress based on each state's population.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for every state in Congress.

Great Compromise

Created two houses of Congress: the House based on population and the Senate with equal representation.

Civil law

Laws dealing with disputes between people or groups.

Electoral College

The group that formally elects the U.S. president.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and direct taxes.

Anti-Federalists

Opposed the Constitution because they feared a strong central government.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and a stronger national government.

The Federalist Papers

Essays written to convince people to support the Constitution.

Republican motherhood

The idea that women should teach children the values needed for a republic.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created the federal court system.

Assumption

Hamilton's plan for the federal government to take over state debts.

Excise tax

A tax on certain goods produced or sold within a country.

Hamilton's Plan

Strengthened the national economy through debt repayment, a national bank, and federal taxes.

Whiskey Rebellion

Protest against a federal tax on whiskey; Washington's government stopped the rebellion.

Democratic-Republicans

Party led by Jefferson and Madison that favored states' rights and limited federal power.

Neutrality Proclamation

Washington's declaration that the U.S. would stay neutral in the war between Britain and France.

Jay's Treaty

Agreement with Britain that settled some disputes but angered many Americans.

Bank of the United States

National bank created to manage government money and strengthen the economy.

Quasi-War with France

Undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France.

XYZ Affair

French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, angering Americans.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods.

Strict construction

Interpreting the Constitution narrowly; the government can only use powers clearly allowed.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws that made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and punished certain criticism of the government.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Argued that states could challenge federal laws they believed were unconstitutional.

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's election marked the first peaceful transfer of power between rival political parties.

Midnight Judges

Federal judges appointed by John Adams near the end of his presidency.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review, the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Barbary Pirates / Tripolitan War

Conflict in which the U.S. fought North African states over attacks on American ships and tribute demands.

Burr's Conspiracy

Aaron Burr's alleged plot to create an independent nation in the western territories.

Macon's Bill No. 2

Reopened trade with Britain and France and promised restrictions against whichever nation continued interfering with U.S. ships.

Hartford Convention

Meeting of New England Federalists who opposed the War of 1812 and discussed constitutional changes.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who wanted war with Britain.

Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson's 1803 purchase of a huge territory from France that doubled the size of the U.S.

Impressment

Forcing sailors into military service, especially Britain's practice of taking sailors from American ships.

Chesapeake Affair

British attack on the American ship Chesapeake in 1807, increasing tensions between the U.S. and Britain.

Embargo Acts

Laws restricting American trade with other countries to pressure Britain and France.

Non-Importation Acts

Laws banning certain imported goods, especially British products, to pressure Britain.

Lewis and Clark

Explorers who traveled west to study and map the Louisiana Purchase.

Battle of Tippecanoe

1811 battle in which U.S. forces fought Native Americans led by supporters of Tecumseh.