U.S. History Key Terms: Federalism, Expansion, and Early Politics

Impressment

The act of forcibly taking men into a military or naval force.

Alien

Not citizens, immigrants, foreigners.

Sedition

Speech that leads to rebellion.

Enumerated powers

Specific powers granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, primarily listed in Article I, Section 8. These powers include the ability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, coin money, and declare war.

Implied powers

Governmental powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are considered necessary to carry out the federal government's enumerated powers.

Nullification

A legal theory asserting that a state can invalidate or refuse to enforce a federal law it deems unconstitutional.

Necessary and Proper clause (elastic clause)

Allows you to make implied powers so you can carry out the enumerated powers.

Federalists

Political party led by Hamilton, favoring a strong federal government and the establishment of a national bank.

Republicans

Political party led by Jefferson, favoring strong state rights and fearing a strong central government.

War of 1812

Conflict between the United States and Great Britain that led to the dissolution of the Federalist Party.

National debt

Debt from the wars, including over 70 million owed to bondholders.

Bond

A way of raising money.

Hamilton's first National Bank

Established to manage federal transactions and taxes, issue and circulate currency.

Monetary growth

Economic expansion resulting from confidence in the financial system.

Tariff Act

Legislation aimed at generating revenue through tariffs on imported goods.

Tonnage Act

Taxed ships per ton that came into port.

Louisiana Purchase

15 million for territory, 11.5 million for new territory; finish paying off debt for France; wanted to own Louisiana; Congress has a big debate; it is approved.

Success of Louis and Clark Expedition

Trade and trade houses with the Indians; maps of the NW territories; knew knowledge (species and plants); relationships with NA tribes.

What Jefferson wanted out of the expedition

Set up trade with the Indians; locate the NW passage; wanted farmers to expand, egalitarian economy.

Pinckney's Treaty

Allows the US to use the port of New Orleans; use the Mississippi river.

Jay's Treaty

Britain can keep seizing cargo ships, but they must remove their people from Western forts.

Quasi-War with France and XYZ Affair

France seized goods from US ships going to GB; caused the 'quasi-war'; the US sent people to negotiate with the French; however, the French wanted $250,000 and a $12 million loan before they would begin negotiations.

Quasi-war

Undeclared war.

Embargo Act of 1807

A law that prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports, aimed at protecting American interests during the Napoleonic Wars; GB attacked the Chesapeake ship.

How the Napoleonic Wars and the French Revolution Contributed

The US and France were allied, but the Napoleonic Wars had caused their relationship to be shaky; Britain and France's fighting led to American ships being seized and their sailors impressed.

Napoleonic Wars

War against Napoleon, during Jefferson.

Whiskey Tax

Taxed Western corn products by 25%; put in place to demonstrate the Fed.

Whiskey Rebellion

A protest against the whiskey tax that escalated into violence.

Mississippi River

A major river in the United States that was crucial for trade and transportation.

Northwest Passage

A sea route through the Arctic Ocean, along the northern coast of North America, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party that favored states' rights and agrarian interests.

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

An incident in 1807 where the British warship HMS Leopard attacked the American frigate USS Chesapeake.

Trade with Native Americans

Economic exchanges between American settlers and Native American tribes.

Territorial Expansion

The process of acquiring new land for settlement and development.

Federal Government

The national government of the United States, which has authority over the states.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Extended the number of years it takes for immigrants to become citizens from 5 years to 14 years and gave the president the power to deport dangerous immigrants without a trial.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Responses to the Alien and Sedition Acts; Virginia's interposition allows states to impose a law if the Federal government is unconstitutional, while Kentucky's nullification cancels a law.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created 13 district courts, 3 appellate courts, and 1 supreme court; Washington appointed the first federal judges.

12th Amendment

Electors cast separate ballots for the president and vice president.

Lame duck period

Time between the new and old president.

Marbury v Madison

Established judicial review after William Marbury sued when Jefferson withheld his appointment papers.

Judicial Review

Power of the Judicial Branch to rule acts by the other two branches as unconstitutional.

Impressment of American sailors

Increased tensions leading to the War of 1812.

Whiskey Tax and Rebellion

Highlighted the conflict between federal authority and local resistance.

Election of 1800

Established a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

Federal judges

Judges appointed by the President, including the first Chief Justice, John Jay.

Supreme Court justices

6 justices named to the Supreme Court.

Thomas Jefferson

Elected as President after a tie with Aaron Burr, resolved by the House of Representatives.

Aaron Burr

Elected as Vice President after a tie with Thomas Jefferson.

John Adams

First political leader in history to peacefully transfer power to a political rival.

Midnight judges

Judges appointed during the lame-duck period by John Adams.

Interposition

Virginia's response allowing states to impose a law if the Federal government is unconstitutional.