Founding a New Nation and Early Republic

A set of flashcards focusing on key concepts from the founding period of the United States and the early Republic.

Founding a New Nation

Period after the Revolution when the U.S. created its government and political systems.

George Washington

First president; set precedents like two-term limit and neutrality.

Alexander Hamilton

First Treasury Secretary; created national bank and financial system.

Thomas Jefferson

Leader of Democratic-Republicans; supported limited government and agriculture.

John Adams

Second president; faced XYZ Affair and passed Alien and Sedition Acts.

Republicanism

Belief that government is based on consent of the people and civic virtue.

Jeffersonian democracy

Emphasized limited government, individual liberty, and agrarian society.

Republicans (Democratic-Republicans)

Political party supporting states’ rights, agriculture, and strict Constitution interpretation.

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers protested whiskey tax; federal government proved its authority by stopping it.

Jay's Treaty

Agreement with Britain to avoid war; kept peace but was unpopular.

XYZ Affair

French demanded bribes from U.S.; led to Quasi-War and nationalism.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws limiting immigrants and free speech; increased political conflict.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

U.S. defeated Native confederacy; opened Ohio land to settlement.

Political party conflict

Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans; shaped early political system.

Haitian Revolution

Successful slave revolt; inspired enslaved people and frightened slaveholders.

Gabriel's Rebellion

Planned slave uprising in Virginia; led to stricter slave laws.

Expansion of slavery

Cotton gin, westward expansion, and global demand for cotton increased slavery.

Southern opposition to abolition

South defended slavery for economic and social reasons; increased sectional conflict.

Louisiana Purchase

U.S. bought land from France; doubled size of country.

War of 1812

War with Britain over trade and impressment; increased nationalism.

Battle of New Orleans

U.S. victory led by Andrew Jackson; boosted national pride.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that U.S. should expand west; justified expansion and conflict.

Andrew Jackson

7th president; expanded voting rights and enforced Indian removal.

Economic growth (Jackson era)

Increased population, markets, and westward settlement.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Forced Native relocation west; led to Trail of Tears.

Cherokee

Native group removed despite legal resistance; shows limits of rights.

Nullification Crisis

South Carolina challenged federal tariffs; showed states’ rights conflict.

Urbanization

Growth of cities from industrialization and immigration.

Economic Transformation

Growth of industry, transportation, and communication systems.

Cotton

Key Southern crop; drove slavery expansion and economy.

Erie Canal

Connected Great Lakes to Atlantic; boosted trade.

Telegraph

Instant communication; transformed business and news.

Railroad Acts (1862 & 1864)

Government supported railroads; connected country.

Homestead Act (1862)

Gave free land to settlers; encouraged westward expansion.

Sectional Crisis

Conflict over slavery in new territories increased tensions.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Balanced slave/free states; limited slavery expansion.

Mexican independence

Mexico gained independence; opened Texas to U.S. settlers.

Mexican-American War

U.S. gained western lands; increased slavery conflict.

California Gold Rush

Rapid migration; intensified debate over slavery.

Compromise of 1850

Temporary solution balancing slave/free interests.

Fugitive Slave Act

Required return of escaped enslaved people; angered North.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Allowed vote on slavery; led to violence.

Dred Scott decision

Ruled enslaved not citizens; increased tensions.

Battle of Fort Sumter

First battle of Civil War; started conflict.

Civil War

Caused by slavery and sectionalism; ended with Union victory.

Emancipation Proclamation

Freed enslaved people in Confederacy; shifted war purpose.

Battle of Gettysburg

Union victory; turning point in war.

Thirteenth Amendment

Abolished slavery in the U.S.