Ch. 8

Indian Intercourse Act (1790)

Amended in 1793 and 1796, it regulated interactions between American settlers and Native American tribes. The act aimed to promote peaceful relations and regulate trade, but it also facilitated land acquisition from Native Americans by the United States government.

Northwest Ordinance

A law passed by Congress in 1787, it established the procedures for the admission of new states to the Union in the Northwest Territory. It also outlawed slavery in the territory, setting a precedent for future territories seeking statehood.

Gilbert Stuart

Noted American portrait painter, famous for iconic portraits like George Washington's "Athenaeum Portrait."

Pierre-Charles L'Enfant

French-born architect and engineer who designed the layout of Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States. L'Enfant's plan featured broad avenues, grand buildings, and open spaces, shaping the iconic look of the nation's capital.

Charles Wilson Peale

Prominent American artist known for Revolutionary portraits and founding a natural history museum.

Public Land Act (1796)

It established a system for surveying and selling public lands in the Northwest Territory. This facilitated westward expansion by providing a method for settlers to purchase land from the government.

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

It ended the Northwest Indian War and ceded much of present-day Ohio to the United States. The treaty opened up vast territories for American settlement, furthering westward expansion.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

Clash between U.S. Army and Native Americans, marking a crucial victory for American expansion into the Northwest Territory.

Two-Term Tradition

The informal practice, started by George Washington, of serving only two terms as President, setting a precedent for future leaders.

Edmund Randolph

A Founding Father and the first Attorney General of the United States, serving under President George Washington.

Henry Knox

A Revolutionary War general and the first U.S. Secretary of War. He played a crucial role in the war effort, particularly for his management of artillery. As Secretary of War, he oversaw the establishment and organization of the U.S. military following independence.

Executive Departments

Agencies responsible for implementing specific areas of government policy and administration. They are part of the executive branch and headed by appointed secretaries or administrators.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the Supreme Court, federal district and circuit courts, and the office of Attorney General.

Tariff of 1789

First tariff law, set at 8% on dutiable imports, aimed to raise revenue and protect infant industries.

Bill of Rights

Amendments added to protect individuals' rights from the federal government; selectively incorporated in 1925.

“Report on Public Credit” Assumption and Funding Bills (1790)

Hamilton's plan to assume state debts and repay them, establish credit, and locate the national capital.

“Report on a National Bank” Bank of the United States (1790)

Proposed by Hamilton, opposed by Jefferson, led to loose vs. strict construction debate.

Report on Manufactures (1791)

Hamilton's plan for industrial economy, rejected by Congress, influenced American School of economics.

Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Washington's call for impartiality in the conflict between Britain and France, beginning of isolationism.

Jay's Treaty (1795)

Addressed British seizure of American ships, unpopular but secured peace with Britain.

Impressment

British practice of seizing American seamen for naval service, led to tensions between US and Britain.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Settled US-Spain disputes, established boundaries, and granted Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution, led enslaved Africans to independence from French colonial rule in Haiti, led Napoleon to sell Louisiana to America.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Farmers' revolt against whiskey tax, showed strength of new government under the Constitution.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against permanent alliances and political partisanship.

The Quasi War (1798-1800)

Undeclared naval conflict with France, led to the abrogation of the 1778 treaty of alliance.

XYZ Affair (1797)

French demand for bribes from US diplomats, outraged Americans and led to Federalist victory in 1798 elections.

Alien and Alien Enemies Acts (1798)

Allowed for arrest, deportation of dangerous aliens, aimed to weaken Democratic-Republicans.

Sedition Act (1798)

Made publishing defamatory statements about the government illegal, used against US citizens.

Naturalization Act (1798)

Increased immigrant waiting period for citizenship to weaken Democratic-Republicans.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions (1798)

Condemned Alien, Alien Enemies, Sedition, and Naturalization acts as unconstitutional.

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's election marked a return to 1776 ideals, favoring agrarian interests, reducing debt, and ensuring a peaceful transition of power.

Twelfth Amendment

Required electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president to avoid ties like the 1800 Jefferson-Burr deadlock.

Tripolitan War/Barbary Pirates

Conflict against North African states demanding tribute led to the Barbary Wars, resolved by Jefferson's peace treaty.

"Era of Good Feelings" (1815-1824)

Period of apparent political harmony despite sectional tensions over tariffs, internal improvements, and slavery.

Midnight Judges

Federalists' attempt to retain influence by creating new judgeships before leaving office in 1800.

John Marshall

Chief Justice who strengthened central government power and established judicial review in Marbury v. Madison.

Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review (1803)

Case establishing Supreme Court's authority to declare laws unconstitutional, enhancing judicial power.

Constitutionality of Louisiana Purchase

Jefferson's acquisition of land raised questions of presidential power, resolved through Senate approval and implied powers.

Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

Exploration solidifying US claim to Oregon, providing geographical data, and promoting Western settlement.

British Orders in Council (1806-1807)

British trade restrictions during war with France that limited US trade and led to tensions.

Berlin & Milan Decrees (1806-1807)

French decree which blocked trade with the British, American trade extremely limited but still profitable

Chesapeake Affair (1807)

British attack on USS Chesapeake that outraged the US, prompting Jefferson's peace efforts and the Embargo Act.

Embargo Act (1807)

Prohibited US trade with foreign nations to pressure Britain and France, damaging US economy but stimulating domestic industry.

Non-Intercourse Act (1809)

Replaced Embargo Act, allowing trade with all nations except Britain and France, aiming to restore neutral rights.

Tecumseh and the Prophet

Shawnee leaders resisting white expansion, advocating traditional ways, and forming alliances against settlers.

William Henry Harrison

Defeated Tecumseh at the Battle of Tippecanoe, becoming a national hero and later president.

Macon's Bill No. 2 (1810)

Replaced Non-Intercourse Act, allowing trade with all nations but promising to reimpose embargo if neutral rights were violated.

War Hawks

Pro-war Congress members favoring conflict with Native Americans, responding to British insults, and seeking territorial expansion.

USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)

Successful American naval vessel in the War of 1812, notable for victories against British ships.

Oliver H. Perry

Naval victory on Lake Erie boosting American morale during the War of 1812.

Thomas Macdonough (1814)

Won a crucial naval battle on Lake Champlain, preventing British invasion and strengthening US position in peace negotiations.

Excise Tax on Whiskey (1791)

Taxed whiskey to raise revenue for Hamilton’s funding and assumption program, paid primarily by farmers in the west

First Party System (1796-1828

The period in American politics characterized by the rivalry between the Federalist Party headed by Hamilton and the Democratic-Republican Party headed by Thomas Jefferson.

Federalist Party

Political party in early US history led by Alexander Hamilton, advocating for a strong central government and financial system.

Democratic-Republican Party

Political party in early US history led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Advocated for states' rights, agrarianism, and strict interpretation of the Constitution.

Loose Construction

Interpretation allowing broader powers for the government based on implied powers in the Constitution. Example: McCulloch v. Maryland.

Strict Construction

forbids the government from doing anything except what the Constitution specifically empowers it to do.

French Revolution

The Democratic-Republicans supported the French Revolution as it was viewed as a fight for democracy. The Federalists were unsympathetic and generally sided with England. Federalists saw in the excesses of the French Revolution the lesson that it was dangerous to give too much power to the common people.

Citizen Edmond Genet

A French diplomat who came to the U.S. in 1793, seeking support for France during the French Revolutionary Wars, outfitted privateers in American harbors and commissioned them to raid British and Spanish ships and colonies.

Thomas Macdonough (1814)

Thomas Macdonough was a U.S. naval officer known for his victory at the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812, credited for saving New York.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain, restoring pre-war borders and establishing peace.

Hartford Convention (1814)

A meeting of New England Federalists to discuss grievances over the War of 1812 and propose amendments to the Constitution. Seen as disloyal and led to the demise of the federalists.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

A decisive American victory led by General Andrew Jackson against the British during the War of 1812, fought after the treaty had been signed, inspired American nationalism.