Early Republic & Political Parties

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the early Republic and political parties in American history.

Political Party

An organized group of people with similar political beliefs who work together to influence government policy and win elections.

Federalist Party

Political party led by Alexander Hamilton that favored strong central government, loose interpretation of the Constitution, manufacturing/trade economy, and pro-British foreign policy.

Democratic-Republican Party

Political party led by Thomas Jefferson that favored limited federal government, strict interpretation of the Constitution, agricultural economy, states' rights, and pro-French foreign policy.

Loose Interpretation

Belief that the Constitution allows the government to take actions not specifically written in the document if they are 'necessary and proper' to carry out its duties.

Strict Interpretation

Belief that the government can only do exactly what is specifically written in the Constitution and nothing more.

Federalism

System of government where power is divided/shared between the national (federal) government and state governments.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident (1797-1798) where French officials demanded bribes and a loan from American diplomats before agreeing to negotiate, leading to outrage in America and the Quasi-War.

Quasi-War

Undeclared naval war between the United States and France (1798-1800) that involved ships attacking each other but no formal declaration of war.

Neutrality

Policy of not taking sides in conflicts between other nations; trying to remain uninvolved in foreign wars.

Jay's Treaty

Treaty between the United States and Britain (1794) that gave Britain favorable trade terms and angered France, who saw it as America siding with their enemy.