Test 2, Key Terms: American Founding and Early Republic

DE US History

Saratoga

1777- First MAJOR victory for the Americans during the Revolutionary War, starting an entire string of victories. This battle is what convinced the French to help their side during the war.

Yorktown

Battle where Washington and the French naval fleet captured General Cornwallace’s troops. This battle marked the end of the Revolutionary War.

Treaty of Paris

1783 - The treaty that concluded the Revolutionary War. Britain finally recognizes American independence.

Articles of Confederation

First form of government for the United States. They didn’t work because it gave too much power to the states and caused the national government to be weak. 

Northwest Ordinance

Legislation passed under the Articles of Confederation, taking the Ohio territory and separating it so that they could develop into their own states. This sets the precedent for how states will be created in the United States.

Shay’s Rebellion

Revolt by farmers over the foreclosure of their farms that almost spread to several other states. Marked the time when Americans began to realize the flaws in the Articles of Confederation. 

James Madison

Known as the Father of the Constitution - wrote the Bill of Rights and some of the Federalist Papers. Shaped the way out government works today. 

“Great Compromise”

Combines the New Jersey and Virginia Plans to have a house based on population and a senate with each state having equal votes.

New Jersey Plan

 Plan for the constitution to give states equal representation. Results in the modern Senate.

Virginia Plan

Plan for the constitution to give states representation based on population. Theory for the House of Representatives comes from this plan.

Electoral College

Each state is given electoral votes based on their representation in Congress - is used to determine the president. 

“Three-Fifths Compromise”

Slaves counted as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining representation in the House of Representatives.

Federalists and the Federalist Papers

People who promoted and supported the Constitution - their papers were written to help clarify the intents of the Constitution.

Anti-Federalists

People that opposed the Constitution. Highlights flaws and supports the ratification of the constitution - led to the Bill of Rights. 

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution. Guaranteed the rights of citizens and prevented the government from touching those rights.

Alexander Hamilton

First Secretary of the Treasury. He wrote a majority of the Federalist Papers - provided the ideas of assuming national debt, so that the United States could establish debt managing strategies.

Bank of the United States

Created by Alexander Hamilton. Predecessor of the national bank that sets money aside specifically for the use of the Federal government. Manages United States debt.

John Marshall

Supreme Court Justice during Jefferson’s term. Established the principal of Judicial review.

“XYZ Affair”

Between France and the United State, a diplomatic plan being made without congressional approval in secret. Turns the south, leads to Trade War, and the weakening of the Federalist Party. 

Alien Laws

Law to limit immigration into the United States - seen as a violation of the First Amendment by its opponents.

Sedition Act

Law to prevent falsehoods against the Federal government. Seen as a violation of the First Amendment by its opponents.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Resolutions stated by Virginia and Kentucky saying that they would not enforce Federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional. Basically said that states had the freedom to nullify any laws that they felt went against the Constitution.

Nullification

States choosing to not enforce a law that they feels goes against the Constitution - limits the federal government in law enforcement.

“Revolution of 1800”

Radical shift from ideas of Washington and Adams to ideals of the Democratic-Republican party. Sets the precedent for future political transfers of power. 

Marbury vs. Madison

Jefferson sought to deny court appointance to those confirmed by John Adams. Because of this, the court gains the power of judicial review. 

Louisiana Purchase

Thomas Jefferson buys the Louisiana Territory from French Napoleon. Doubles the size of the United States and promotes westward expansion

Aaron Burr Conspiracies

Tries to get southwestern states to secede from the Union. Sets the precedent for when the South later tries to secede before the Civil War.

Impressment

Kidnapping the American sailors and forcing them to serve in the British navy, is one reason for the start of the War of 1812.

Henry Clay

Senator from Kentucky - proposed the American System. The American System improved infrastructure and economy in the nation and gave forth projects such as the Erie Canal. 

Battle of Tippecanoe

War between western settles/William Henry Harrison and Native Americans. Leads to Native Americans being largely unable to prevent further invasion of lands. 

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty that ends the War of 1812. America becomes more isolationist and goes against foreign conflict.

Nationalism

Position where a person believes that their country is superior to all others in every way.

“Era of Good Feelings”

Time period after 1824 (post War of 1812). The US is relatively unified and there is economic prosperity. Led to a lot of American technological development, territorial expansion, and westward settling.

Missouri Compromise

Missouri (slave state) and Maine (free state) enter the United States - established the status quo on the issue of slavery. The 36°30’ line is established (no slavery above the line). 

McCulloch vs. Maryland

Supreme Court case where Maryland tried to tax the Federal government. Court rules that states cannot tax the government. Outcome upholds the constitutionality of the National Bank.

Gibbons vs. Ogden

Supreme Court case - monopoly is given to a steamboat ferry. Sets the precedent for later railroad and telephone line companies.

Monroe Doctrine

James Monroe tells Europe that the US will get involved in affairs if the British attempt to try to control Western Hemisphere.

1824 Election

Election between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams. John Quincy Adams wins despite Jackson' having more electoral college votes. This is the last time in US History so far that the House of Representatives chose the president.

“Old Hickory”

Andrew Jackson. 7th president of the United States of America. He brings about the two-party system, sectionalism, and represents the common man.

Spoils System

Started under Andrew Jackson, whoever wins the presidential election chooses supporters to hold other government positions. Used by both parties today. 

“Tariff of Abominations”

Tariff of 1828 (Jackson’s Administration) - Southern states opposed it because they believed it favored the Northern states’ production over Southern agriculture. Fuels and results in nullification, and emphasizes sectional divide. 

Indian Removal Act

1830 law by Andrew Jackson to require native americans to move westward to the indian territory (modern day Oklahoma). Andrew Jackson defied the courts and passed the law. Shows the risk of one branch that defies the others, encouraged Manifest destiny.

Trail of Tears

The routes that Native Americans were forced to travel in order to get to the Indian Territory. Poor weather, few resources, lots of death. Solidifies Native American lack of trust in the Americans - destroys previously made treaties.

Pet Banks

Andrew Jackson opposed the National Bank so he gave power to the state banks, moving the country away from the National Bank

Sam Houston

First President of Texas. He is responsible for Texas joining the United States

“Remember the Alamo”

Expression of rally and cry for Texans to support their independence, eventually a rally and cry for the Mexican American War. Unifies Texas in its conflict

William Henry Harrison

First Whig president of the United States. This solidifies the Whig opposition to the Democratic party. Dies after one month in office

Lexington and Concord

April 19, 1775 - First military engagements of the American Revolutionary War.

The American System

an economic plan proposed by Henry Clay in the early 19th century, which included protective tariffs to promote American industry, a national bank to foster commerce, and federal funding for internal improvements like roads and canals to improve agriculture

Federalist 10

Madison argued that factions are inevitable because of human nature, but says that a large, representative republic is the best way to control the "mischiefs" of factions.

Federalist 45

the powers of the proposed federal government are necessary to secure the well-being and happiness of the people, and that the powers of the states will remain the most important for the daily lives of citizens.

Federalist 51

argued that separation of powers and checks and balances would control tyranny from any source within government.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist Paper - argued that a large, powerful central government under the proposed Constitution would threaten individual liberties and state sovereignty, leading to a consolidated government that is too distant from the people

Centinel No. 1

Anti-Federalist Paper - argued that the common good can only be obtained in a country consisting of citizens who are virtuous and equal in terms of property.

Pennsylvania Farmer

Anti-Federalist Paper - argued that Parliament had no right to tax the colonies without their consent