APUSH 9-10

Republican Motherhood

The idea that women were responsible for raising children to be good citizens of the United States.

Republicanism

Power comes from the people

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

Created by Thomas Jefferson, it established religious freedom and influenced the Bill of Rights.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Articles of Confederation

Ratified 1781: the first governing document of the United States, which lacked a strong central government. All 13 states’ approval was needed to amend this document

Weaknesses of the AoC

• no power to tax

• could not regulate trade

• no executive branch and court system

• 9/13 needed to pass laws

• all states had one vote

• all 13 states’ approval needed to amend this document

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws; DID NOT EXIST in the Articles of Confederation.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws; weak under the Articles of Confederation.

Land Ordinance of 1784

Established principle that territories could become states as their populations grew

Land Ordinance of 1785

Legislation that surveyed and divided land in the Northwest Territory and was SOLD to raise money.

Northwest Land Ordinance of 1787

Established a process for ADMITTING new territories into the Union (hit 60,000 ppl) and prohibited slavery in the Northwest, north of the Ohio River

Shays’ Rebellion

1786-87: A revolt led by Daniel Shay, consisting of poor farmers seeking lower taxes and an end to bank foreclosures. An event that showed America needed a strong central government.

Annapolis Convention

1786: A meeting led by Alexander Hamilton to discuss revising the Articles of Confederation, attended by only five states.

Philadelphia Convention

1787: A gathering of 55 delegates aimed at revising the Articles of Confederation that resulted in the creation of the Constitution. 12 states showed up (no RI)

Virginia Plan

A proposal for representation based on population in Congress, favoring larger states.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for equal representation in Congress, favoring smaller states.

Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

3/5 Compromise

An agreement that 60% of the slave population would be counted for representation in the House of Representatives.

Slave Trade Compromise

Allowed the continuation of the slave trade until the end of 1807.

Electoral College

A body established to elect the President, using electors rather than a direct popular vote.

Elastic Clause

A provision in the Constitution allowing Congress to make laws deemed necessary and proper for executing its powers.

Federalists

Supporters of a strong central government, including figures like Madison, Hamilton, and Washington.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of a strong central government, advocating for more power to the states, represented by figures like Patrick Henry.

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, created by James Madison, that guarantee individual freedoms and states' rights.

James Madison

The fourth President of the United States and the principal author of the Bill of Rights.

Cabinet

A group of advisors to the President, consisting of heads of various departments, though not mentioned in the Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson

The first Secretary of State and a leading figure in the early development of the United States, known for his opposition to Hamilton's policies.

Alexander Hamilton

The first Secretary of the Treasury, known for his financial policies and the establishment of a national bank.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Legislation that organized the Supreme Court, establishing one chief justice and five associate justices. Also set up the lower courts.

John Jay

The first Chief Justice of the United States and a prominent Federalist, known for writing The Federalist Papers.

Tariffs

Taxes on foreign goods intended to protect American industry by making imported goods more expensive.

Assumption Plan

Report on Public Credit called for the federal government to pay off the national debt at face value and assume the war debt of the states. Part of Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan

Excise Tax

A tax on specific goods produced within a country notably applied to whiskey during Hamilton's Financial Plan.

Creation of a National Bank

Would help create a stable, healthy economy and currency. Led to a huge debate over the power of the federal government

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising in southwestern Pennsylvania against the excise tax on whiskey, demonstrating the power of the federal government.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1786-1787 that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Neutrality Proclamation: 1793

A declaration by President Washington urging Americans to remain impartial in foreign conflicts, particularly between France and Britain.

Treaty of Greenville

An agreement in which Native Americans ceded land in the Old Northwest to the United States.

Pickney’s Treaty

1795: A treaty with Spain that granted Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi River and land north of Florida.

XYZ Affair

A diplomatic incident in which French agents demanded bribes from American diplomats, leading to increased tensions between the U.S. and France.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws that increased residency requirements for citizenship and imposed penalties for criticizing the government, seen as violations of the First Amendment.

Naturalization Act

increased time from 5 to 14 years for immigration to become American citizens

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

A state can nullify federal laws passed by Congress if they felt that they were too unconstitutional. Created by Jefferson and Madison to oppose federal laws that Democratic-Republicans felt were unconstitutional.

Jay’s Treaty

1794: British agreed to leave the forts on the frontier, but said nothing about stopping BR’s harassment of US ships or natives

Washington’s Farewell Address: 1796

1796: warned the nation against permanent alliances and the existence of political parties