History 135 (Early Republic)

Competing visions of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson

(1790–1796) Two opposing political philosophies in the 1790s about how the U.S. should develop.

• Hamilton favored a strong central government, industrial economy, national bank, and close ties with Britain.

• Jefferson favored limited federal power, an agricultural republic, and closer ties with France.

Whiskey Rebellion

(1794) A tax protest by western Pennsylvania farmers against the federal excise tax on whiskey. It tested the authority of the new federal government; Washington personally led troops to suppress it.

Jay Treaty

(Signed 1794, ratified 1795) A treaty between the U.S. and Britain negotiated by John Jay. Resolved lingering issues from the American Revolution and avoided war but angered France and Jeffersonians.

The First Bank of the United States

(Chartered 1791–1811)The nation’s first central bank. Created as part of Hamilton’s financial plan to stabilize the economy and manage federal debt.

Federalist Party

(Active mainly 1790s–1815) Early U.S. political party that favored strong federal power and a commercial, urban economy.
Led by Hamilton; strong in New England; supported Britain in foreign affairs.

Democratic-Republican Party

(Rose in 1790s, dominant by 1800) Party favoring limited federal power, states’ rights, and an agrarian society. Led by Jefferson and Madison; sympathetic to France.

Quasi-War

(1798–1800) Undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France. Sparked by French anger over the Jay Treaty and the XYZ Affair; mostly fought in the Caribbean.

Alien and Sedition Acts

(1798) Four laws that restricted immigration and criminalized criticism of the government. Passed by Federalists during the Quasi-War; seen as violating civil liberties.

Revolution of 1800

(1800–1801)The peaceful transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans after the 1800 election. Jefferson defeated John Adams; set a precedent for peaceful political transition.

Chief Justice John Marshall and the Marshall Court

(Marshall served 1801–1835) Marshall’s tenure as Chief Justice and the Supreme Court decisions that strengthened federal power. Established the Court as a coequal branch and promoted judicial nationalism.

Marbury v. Madison

(1803) Supreme Court case that established judicial review. Allowed the Court to declare laws unconstitutional, greatly expanding judicial power.

Louisiana Purchase

(1803) U.S. purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France.
Doubled U.S. territory and gave Americans control of the Mississippi River.

The Barbary Wars

(1801–1805; Second: 1815) Conflicts between the U.S. and North African states (Barbary pirates). Fought over piracy and demands for tribute to prevent attacks on American ships.

Abolition of the Slave Trade (1808)

(January 1, 1808) Federal ban on the importation of enslaved Africans. The Constitution allowed Congress to ban the trade after 1808, and it did so.

The War of 1812

(1812–1815) War between the U.S. and Britain. Caused by British impressment of sailors, interference with trade, and frontier conflicts; ended in a draw but boosted U.S. nationalism.

The Hartford Convention and the Fall of the Federalist Party

(Convention held 1814–1815; party faded shortly after) Meeting of New England Federalists who opposed the War of 1812. Their complaints appeared disloyal after the war ended; the party’s reputation collapsed.