APUSH Period 3 Chapter 9

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and reserve to the states all powers not explicitly defined in the Constitution.

Judiciary Act of 1789

A law that established the federal judiciary system, including the Supreme Court, federal districts, circuit courts, and the office of the attorney general.

Funding at Par

Payment of debts, such as government bonds, at face value. In 1790, Alexander Hamilton proposed that the federal government pay its Revolutionary war debts in full in order to bolster the nation's credit.

Assumption

Transfer of debt from one party to another. In order to strengthen the union, the federal government absorbed states' Revolutionary War debts in 1790, thereby tying the interests of wealthy lenders with those of the national government.

Tariff

Tax levied on imports. Traditionally, manufacturers support tariffs as protective and revenue-raising measures, while agricultural interests, dependent on world markets, oppose high tariffs.

Excise Tax

Tax on goods produced domestically. Particularly the 1791 tax on whiskey, were a highly controversial component of Alexander Hamilton's financial program.

Strict construction

Legal philosophy that emphasizes literal interpretation of law. ____ interpretations of constitutional issues often narrowly focus on the original language of the constitution, rather than on changing circumstances. They also tend to favor limiting the power of the federal government and preserving the authority of the states.

Bank of the United States

Chartered by Congress as part of Alexander Hamilton's financial program, this printed paper money and served as a depository for Treasury funds. It drew opposition from Jeffersonian Republicans, who argued that this was unconstitutional.

Battle of the Wabash

Also known as "St. Clair's Defeat," battle in the Northwest Territories between an American military expedition and a coalition of Native Americans led by Little Turtle of the Miamis. The lopsided Indian victory caused alarm in Washington and a larger invasion two years later.

Whiskey Rebellion

Popular uprising of distillers in southwestern Pennsylvania in opposition to an excise tax. In a show of strength and resolve by the new central government, Washington put down the rebellion with militia drawn from several states.

Reign of Terror

Ten-month period of brutal repression when some forty thousand individuals were executed as enemies of the French Revolution. While many Jeffersonians maintained their faith in the French Republic, Federalists withdrew their already lukewarm support once it commenced.

Haitian Revolution

War incited by a slave uprising in French-controlled Saint Domingue, resulting in the creation of the first independent black republic in the Americas.

Neutrality Proclamation

Issued by George Washington, it proclaimed America's formal lack of interest in the escalating conflict between England and France, a statement that enraged pro-French Jeffersonians.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Decisive battle between the Miami confederacy and the U.S. Army. British forces refused to shelter the routed Indians, forcing the latter to attain a peace settlement with the United States.

Treaty of Greenville

Under the terms of the treaty, the Miami Confederacy agreed to cede territory in the Old Northwest to the United States in exchange for cash payment, hunting rights, and formal recognition of their sovereign status.

Jay's Treaty

Negotiated by the Chief Justice of 1794 but shaped by Hamilton, it realized several American economic goals, including the removal of British forts in the Northwest Territory. Britain also benefited, as the treaty gave "most favored nation" trading status to Britain and allowed them to continue anti-French maritime policies. Both the Democratic-Republicans and the French were angered by the treaty, which was authorized for 10 years.

Pinckney's Treaty

Signed with Spain which, fearing an Anglo-American alliance, granted Americans free navigation of the Mississippi and the disputed territory of Florida.

Farewell Address

George Washington's speech at the end of his presidency, warning against "permanent alliances" with other nations. Washington did not oppose all alliances, but believed that the young, fledgling nation should forge alliances only on a temporary basis, in extraordinary circumstances.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic conflict between France and the United States when American envoys to France were asked to pay a hefty bribe for the privilege of meeting with the French foreign minister. Many in the U.S. called for war against France, while American sailors and privateers waged an undeclared war against French merchants in the Caribbean.

Quasi-War with France

Undeclared naval conflict between the United States and its former allies, the French. Diplomatic tension led to mutual attacks on shipping, and between French and American naval vessels. Both sides sought peace, and the Convention of 1800 ended the brief conflict.

Convention of 1800

Agreement to formally dissolve the United States' treaty with France, originally signed during the Revolutionary War. The difficulties posed by America's peacetime alliance with France contributed to Americans' longstanding opposition to entangling alliances with foreign powers.

Alien Laws

Acts passed by a Federalist Congress raising the residency requirement for citizenship to fourteen years and granting the president the power to deport dangerous foreigners in times of peace.

Sedition Act

Enacted by the Federalist Congress in an effort to clamp down on Jeffersonian opposition, the law made anyone convicted of defaming government officials or interfering with government policies liable to imprisonment and a heavy fine. The law drew heavy criticism from Republicans, who let the law expire in 1801.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Statements secretly drafted by Jefferson and Madison for the legislatures of Kentucky and Virginia. Argued that states were the final arbiters of whether the federal government overstepped its boundaries and could therefore nullify, or refuse to accept, national legislation they deemed unconstitutional.