U.S. History: Federal Laws, Key Figures, and Major Events (Lesson 1-3)

Judiciary Act of 1789

Creates supreme, 3 circuit, 13 district courts; state court decisions may be appealed to federal courts.

Cabinet

Part of the executive branch that includes the Vice president and 15 heads of the executive departments.

Bank of the US

Funded by government, private investors; issue paper money, handle taxes.

Two-party system

The idea of having 2 major parties; two official parties, established as parties compete for power.

Protective tariff

Import tax on goods produced overseas.

Excise tax

Charged on product's manufacture, sale, or distribution.

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers refuse to pay excise tax on whiskey; beat up federal marshals, threaten secession.

Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of treasury in the executive branch of government; wanted strong central government led by wealthy, educated.

Thomas Jefferson

Secretary of states in the executive branch of government; wanted strong state, local government; people's participation.

Neutrality

The idea of not supporting either side.

Sectionalism

The intense loyalty to one's region opposed to the nation as a whole.

XYZ Affair

French officials demand bribes to see foreign minister; provokes anti-French feelings in U.S.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress to suppress political opposition.

Nullification

States have the right to void laws deemed unconstitutional.

Impressment

The practice of forcing people, usually sailors, into military service without their consent.

Isolationism

A policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups.

Edmond Genet

French diplomat who violates diplomatic protocol, enrages Washington.

Thomas Pinckney

The U.S. minister to Britain that Spain negotiates with.

Pinckney's treaty of 1795

Spain gives up claims to all lands east of Mississippi River; Florida- U.S. boundary set at 31st parallel.

Little Turtle

Miami tribe chief, who defeats U.S. army.

John Jay

Chief justice who makes treaty with Britain, angers Americans.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Added 16 federal judges; appoints Federalist midnight judges on his last day as president.

Midnight judges

Federalist judicial appointees made by outgoing President John Adams in the final hours of his presidency.

Judicial review

Supreme Court able to declare laws unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase

Doubles the size of the U.S; a land deal in 1803 where the U.S bought 828,000 square miles of territory from France for $15 million.

Marbury v. Madison

William Marbury sues to have papers delivered; Judiciary Act of 1789 requires Supreme Court to order papers be delivered.

Lewis and Clark

Jefferson appoints Meriwether Lewis to lead Corps of Discovery; explore new territory, gather information about people, plants, animals.

Aaron Burr

Known for killing political rival Alexander Hamilton in a duel and later being tried for treason.

John Marshall

A federalist, chief justice for more than 30 years.

Sacajawea

Native American woman, serves as interpreter, guide.