First 5 Presidents (domestic and foreign policy)

George Washington / Presidency

Set precedents for the presidency, created Cabinet, and strengthened executive authority.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal court system and structure of the Supreme Court.

Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Economic program including assumption of debt, national bank, and tariffs.

Assumption of State Debts

Federal government took over state Revolutionary War debts to build credit.

Bank of the United States

National bank created to stabilize currency and manage government funds.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 uprising against whiskey tax; Washington used force to show federal power.

Farewell Address

Warned against political parties, sectionalism, and foreign alliances.

Proclamation of Neutrality

Declared U.S. neutral in European conflicts.

Jay’s Treaty

Resolved conflicts with Britain and prevented war; unpopular domestically.

Pinckney’s Treaty

Gave U.S. access to Mississippi River and New Orleans.

John Adams / Presidency

Focused on maintaining peace amid international tension.

Alien Acts

Laws increasing residency requirement for citizenship.

Sedition Act

Criminalized criticism of the federal government.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Expanded federal power and limited civil liberties.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Asserted states’ rights and nullification of unconstitutional laws.

XYZ Affair

French officials demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats.

Quasi-War

Undeclared naval war between U.S. and France.

Convention of 1800

Ended Quasi-War and restored U.S.-France relations.

Thomas Jefferson / Presidency

Reduced size of government and emphasized states’ rights.

Judicial Review / Marbury v. Madison

Established Supreme Court power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase

Doubled size of U.S.; raised constitutional concerns.

Barbary Wars

Conflict with North African pirates over tribute.

Embargo Act

Banned foreign trade to avoid war; severely hurt U.S. economy.

James Madison / Presidency

Led nation during War of 1812; later supported stronger federal authority.

Causes of War of 1812

Impressment, trade restrictions, British aid to Native Americans.

War Hawks

Congressmen advocating war to defend U.S. honor.

Treaty of Ghent

Ended War of 1812 with no territorial changes.

Second Bank of the United States

Created to stabilize postwar economy.

Tariff of 1816

First protective tariff to promote American industry.

James Monroe / Presidency

Ushered in nationalism and political unity.

Era of Good Feelings

Period of national unity after War of 1812.

Missouri Compromise

Admitted Missouri as slave state, Maine as free state; maintained balance.

Internal Improvements Debate

Disagreement over federal funding for infrastructure.

Rush-Bagot Agreement

Demilitarized Great Lakes and improved U.S.-British relations.

Adams-Onís Treaty

Acquired Florida and defined border with Spanish territory.

Monroe Doctrine

Declared Western Hemisphere closed to European colonization.