AMSTUD-3C

George Washington

defined by his leadership in the new republic, establishing precedents like the cabinet system and the Supreme Court through the Judiciary Act of 1789, and delivering a Farewell Address warning against political parties, permanent foreign alliances, and European entanglements. His unanimous election as the first president set the standard for the executive branch

Judiciary Act of 1789

In 1789, this act established a Supreme Court with one chief justice and five associate justices. The Supreme Court was able to rule on the constitutionality of state courts. It provided for a system of thirteen district courts and three courts of appeals.

Alexander Hamilton/five point financial plan

One of the authors of the Federalist Papers. He favored a strong central government. He was George Washington's secretary of treasury, advocating for a strong central government, national economic policies like the Bank of the United States, and a robust industrial economy

Report on Public Credit

It called for payment in full on all government debts as the foundation for establishing government credit.

Report on a National Bank

The plan involved federal assumption of state debts and funding the national debt, which was highly controversial and contributed to the rise of the first political parties. 

Report on Manufactures

Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's 1791 analysis that predicted the future of American industry and proposed tariffs and subsidies to promote it. The report was part of Hamilton's larger economic plan to ensure the financial and military independence of the young United States. 

French Revolution

Americans generally supported the French people's aspiration to establish a republic, but many were horrified by the reports of mob hysteria and mass executions. Thomas Jefferson and his supporters argued that the U.S. should join France in its defensive war against Britain. However, George Washington believed that the U.S. was too young a nation and not strong enough to engage in a European war.

Proclamation of Neutrality

In 1793, President George Washington issued a proclamation the U.S. would remain neutral in the war between Britain and France.

Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain

In 1794, this treaty with Britain, was negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay. The U.S. wanted Britain to stop seizing U.S. ships and impressing sailors. However, the treat said nothing about ship seizures and Britain only agreed to evacuate posts on the U.S. frontier.

Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain

In 1795, Thomas Pinckney, the U.S. minister to Spain, negotiated this treaty with Spain. Spain agreed to open the lower Mississippi and New Orleans to trade. The right of deposit was granted to Americans so they could transfer cargoes in New Orleans without paying duties. It was agreed that Spain would only control areas south of the 31st parallel.

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, a group of farmers in western Pennsylvania, refused to pay a federal excise tax (tax on a specific product) on alcohol they were producing. President Washington responded by using 15,000 militiamen to stop the rebellion with almost no bloodshed.

Federalists

an early American political party, founded in the late 18th century by figures like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, that advocated for a strong centralized government, a loose interpretation of the Constitution to promote economic development through commerce and manufacturing, and close ties with Great Britain.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party that were against the Federalists. They opposed a strong central government and favored states rights. They were led by Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson

Washington’s first secretary of state, a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, and the primary drafter of the Declaration of Independence.

loose construction

the legal doctrine that the federal government can use powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution to carry out its responsibilities.

strict construction

the belief that the federal government is limited to the powers and actions explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Washington’s Farewell Address

In late 1796, George Washington wrote this address for publication in newspapers. It warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent foreign alliances, not to form political parties, and not to fall into sectionalism.

John Adams

In 1796, this Federalist was elected as the second president of the United States. In 1800, he lost the presidential election to Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican.

XYZ Affair

President John Adams sent a delegation to Paris to negotiate over U.S. merchant ships being attacked by French ships. French ministers, known as X, Y, and Z, because their names were never revealed, requested bribes. President Adams resisted a call for war among Americans after this disgrace, by sending a new delegation over to France.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Acts by the Federalists which authorized the president to imprison and deport enemy aliens in wartime. It made also made it illegal for newspaper editors to criticize the president or Congress.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

In 1799, two states passed resolutions that argued states had the right to nullify laws passed at the federal level.