Ch.9 Study Guide

How can the Constitution be amended?

By a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress.

What were the Alien Laws?

Acts passed by Federalists raising residency requirements from five to fourteen years, authorized the President to deport aliens, and permitted their arrest, imprisonment, and deportation during wartime.

What was the Sedition Act?

An act enacted by the Federalists Congress to clamp down on Jeffersonian opposition, seen as a direct violation of the Constitution.

Who authored the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

Thomas Jefferson authored the Kentucky Resolution, and James Madison authored the Virginia Resolution.

What was the Quasi War with France?

An undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France.

What triggered the XYZ Affair?

A diplomatic conflict over a bribe and loan demanded by France from the U.S., which resulted in the Quasi War.

What was the outcome of the Convention of 1800?

An agreement to formally dissolve the U.S. treaty with France and ended the Quasi War.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution that state powers reserved to the states if not specified.

What did the Judiciary Acts of 1789 accomplish?

Organized the Supreme Court, including the chief justice and federal district and circuit courts.

What is 'Funding at Par'?

The federal government would pay off its debts at face value, the original amount agreed upon.

What is 'Assumption' in terms of debt?

The transfer of debt from one party to another.

What is a Tariff?

A tax levied on imports.

What is an Excise Tax?

A tax on goods produced domestically.

What does 'Strict Constitution' mean?

The belief that all powers not specifically given to the central government are reserved for the states.

What was the Bank of the United States?

Chartered by Congress, it printed paper money and served as a depository for Treasury funds, a key part of Hamilton’s legacy.

What happened in the Battle of Wabash?

A battle in the Northwest Territories where an American expedition faced defeat against a coalition of Native Americans.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A violent protest against a liquor tax from 1791 to 1794, seen as an overstep of government power.

What was the Reign of Terror?

A ten-month period of brutal repression in France where 40,000 individuals were executed as enemies of the French Revolution.

What was significant about the Haitian Revolution?

It was a successful uprising in the French colony of Saint Dominique (Haiti).

What was the Neutrality Proclamation?

A proclamation by George Washington declaring America's formal neutrality.

What was the Battle of Fallen Timbers?

A decisive battle between the Miami Confederacy and the U.S. Army.

What were the terms of the Treaty of Greenville?

Land was exchanged for cash, hunting rights, and recognition.

What was Jay's Treaty?

Negotiated by John Jay to avoid war with Britain, it included a promise to evacuate and pay damages.

What was Pinckney's Treaty?

A treaty with Spain that granted Americans negotiation access to the Mississippi and Florida and gained important trading rights.

What warning did Washington give in his Farewell Address?

He warned against permanent alliances.

Who was Citizen Genet?

An ambassador from the French Republic who nearly started a war with Britain.

Who was 'Mad Anthony' Wayne?

An American general who contributed to a significant U.S. victory.

Who was Charles Mauric de Talleyrand?

A French foreign minister involved in the XYZ Affair and the Convention of 1800.

What were the main differences between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?

Federalists supported a strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution; Democratic-Republicans favored states’ rights and strict interpretation.

Who were the most famous figures in the Federalist Party?

Key figures included Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.

Who were the prominent leaders of the Democratic-Republican Party?

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were the most notable leaders.