as1 first 5 presidents

i want to go home

What was neutrality?

A precedent for America’s foreign policy set into place by George Washington. It stated that we would be neutral towards foreign nations, taking the most peaceful solution when possible.

Themes:
Foreign policy

What was the French Revolution and its relation to Washington’s presidency?

A revolution in France, which ended up with the British and French fighting. Washington said that the U.S. was to remain neutral even though France helped them with their revolution.

Themes:
Federalists vs Antifederalists - Federalists favored British, Antifederalists favored French and wanted to support them
Neutrality

What was impressment during Washington’s presidency?

The British took American sailors and made them work in their navy, as well as their cargo and ships all so that trade with the French was disturbed.

Themes:
Economic - The impressment disturbed trade with the French which must have been bad for the economy
International Trade - The British were trying to prevent the U.S. from trading with France

What are some precedents of the Washington administration?

Forming a cabinet, establishing the precedent of neutrality, stepping down after 2 terms, appointing a Supreme Court

What was Jay’s Treaty?

A negotiation with the British in order to resolve issues surrounding the impressment of American sailors. It was unpopular because in the end the British ended up getting the better part of the deal, even though they were the ones harassing the Americans!

Themes:
Neutrality - The attempt to negotiate shows how dedicated Washington is to maintaining neutrality
International Trade

What was Pinckney’s Treaty?

A treaty with Spain where the U.S. gained access to the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

Themes:
Expansion - Literally, as we gained access to the west.
Economy - Through this expansion we would be able to expand our agricultural economy even further with the new resources that we could use to trade.

What was the Presidential Cabinet?

The Presidential Cabinet was Washington’s way of assuring the people (especially the Antifederalists/Democratic Republicans") that he wouldn’t become a tyrant. His cabinet was his closest advisors. To further drive in the point, he put Hamilton and Jefferson, both from opposing parties, in important positions.

Themes:
United or Divided - Shows how although we are from different parties, we are coming together to direct and help our country flourish.

What was the Judiciary Act?

The Judiciary Act gave GW the right to appoint his own Supreme Court, one of his precedents.

Theme:
Growth and Development, figuratively, as this would tie into other events such as Marbury v. Madison

What was the Fugitive Slave Act?

An act stating that slave owners can cross borders in order to retrieve their escaped slaves.

Themes:
Slavery - Shows GW’s personal policy towards slavery. Although he states himself as antislavery, he was known to aggressively go for any slaves that escaped him.

What was Alexander Hamilton’s economic plan?

He wanted to increase taxes, implement excise taxes, create a national bank, sell government bonds, consolidate all state debt from the war into one national debt and then pay it off
“Spend money to make money”

Themes:
Economic - duh. He made the U.S. more attractive to investors as they were able to pay off their debt efficiently
Federalist vs. Antifederalist

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A rebellion against the Whiskey Tax. The farmers were starting to become violent, leading Washington to amass a militia and squash it.

Themes:
Federalist vs. Antifederalist - shows how the Federalist’s national government is actually quite competent in dealing with these rebellions/conflicts

What was the Farewell Address?

GW’s departing message from the White House in which he declared neutrality as the precedent for foreign policy, as well as warning against partyism.

Themes:
Foreign Policy - stay neutral
Partyism - warned against it as he believes in unity, and believes that partyism will lead to division and America’s downfall

What was the “XYZ” Affair?

An attempt to negotiate peacefully concerning the French impressing American sailors and ships. The embassies Adams sent were told that they must pay to meet with the higher ups.

Themes:
Neutrality - bro was really trying not to throw hands
International Trade: France didn’t want us trading with the British

What was the Quasi War?

An unofficial naval war that was a result of the XYZ affair. It was unofficial as Adams was just trying to defend America’s trade.

*Adams established the U.S. Navy for this war!

Themes:
International Trade - Trying to defend our trade rights, not trying to gain or win anythign

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Acts put into place to deal with the incoming conflict with France. Federalists worried that the Anti-federalist, with support from immigrants, would support the French.

Acts included:

1. Naturalization Act - increased amt of time required to become a citizen from 5 —> 14 years

2. Alien Enemies Act - president can kick out foreigners from countries the U.S. is in conflict with

3. Alien Friends Act - president can kick out any immigrants he deems dangerous

4. Sedition Act - writing anything “false, scandalous, and malicious” about the government was made illegal

Themes:
Federalism vs. Anti-federalism - was targeted against Anti-Federalists to make them garner less support

What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

State run initiatives written by TJ and JMa arguing against the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Themes:
United or Divided - Federalists were for the Acts, the Anti-Federalists were very much against as it’s exactly what they’ve been scared of: the federal government exerting too much power.
Federalists vs. Anti-federalists - self-explanatory

U.S. v. Cooper

A case that ruled in support of the Alien and Sedition Acts, stating that in a time of war/national crisis, national security is more important that individual rights/civil liberties.

Themes:
Federalism vs. Anti-federalism - self explanatory I think

Fries Rebellion

A rebellion against the property tax, squashed by the federal government’s militia.

Themes:
Federalism vs. Anti-federalism - once again shows how useful federalist governments are

Revolution of 1800

Marks the peaceful transfer of the President position from Federalist to Anti-federalist party

Themes:
Growth of Political Identity - kinda gave power/ushered in Anti-federalist leadership (James Madison AND Monroe)

Thomas Jefferson’s economic plan

Cut army budget —> decrease army, cut taxes, be more frugal with money, stricter budget, limit the amount of money the government spends, overall more conservative

Themes:
Federalist vs. Anti-federalist - speculated to be revenge against Hamilton’s plan
Economy - DUH IT’S AN ECONOMIC PLAN…

Marbury v. Madison

A case that established that the Supreme Court has the right to check and balance the other government branches

Themes:
IDK

Sally Hemmings

An underage girl that was in a relationship with Thomas Jefferson and had multiple children with him

Themes:
Slavery - Although Jefferson said he was against slavery, he had many slaves and had this relationship which no matter what one might say, has a very heavy power dynamic. However these actions contrast with the one where he signed the Slave Trade Act (banning foreign slave trade) and his words, where he is antislavery. However, he DOES believe that white people are genetically superior, so he’s kinda all over the place.

What was Adams position on slavery?

He thought it was immoral, yet refused to sign the slave trade act as he thought it was dying out, and would be gone soon.

Themes:
Slavery - self explanatory

Embargo Act

TJ bans trade with all foreign nations as a result of British and French disruptions to our trade. It ended up being very detrimental to our economy.

Themes:
Neutrality - TJ was trying to employ economic warfare, so he was pretty dedicated to the whole neutrality thing.
Foreign policy - still neutral man
International trade - disrupted! <3

Non-Intercourse Act

TJ lifts foreign trade restrictions with every foreign nation except Britain and France. Bro is petty.

Themes:
Foreign policy - still trying to be very neutral
International Trade - restricted with France + Britain but hey at least we got everyone else!!

Louisiana Purchase

France is busy and going broke over the Napoleonic Wars, so they propose to give us the Louisiana Territories. Even though it is not explicitly in the Constitution, TJ signs it and bam we got it

Themes:
Growth and Expansion LITERALLY: Louisiana Territories opens up the entire west so we can now go settle there
Economic Growth: We now have a lot of new resources that we can use to trade with other countries!!
Nationalism (?) - we’re only trying to benefit ourselves

Napoleonic Wars

A series of wars lead by Napoleon in France with the intention of conquering other European Powers

Macon’s Bill No. 2

Short story: Madison says u need to be ok with us trading w/ ur enemy or we won’t trade with you!
Long story: Madison lifts trade restrictions and says you need to leave us alone. If you don’t we’ll resume non-intercourse with you.

Themes:
International Trade - lifted restrictions and put some boundaries
Foreign Policy - still trying to be neutral

Cadore Letter

France says ok fine

(Britain says no)

Themes:
International Trade - we back on with France! not britain tho

War Hawks

A bunch of politicians that believed that we should go to war with Britain, as it’s been 20 years of harassment.

Federalism vs. Anti-federalism - Anti-federalists wanted to go to war, Federalists didn’t

War of 1812

First international war with Britain. Resulted in Britain burning Washington D.C. (capitol, White House)

Themes:
Foreign policy - first real break from the neutrality precedent

Treaty of Ghent

End of war, signed in Belgium. It recognizes America as a nation.

Themes:
IDK

Hartford Convention

Convention of Federalists during the War and after that discussed their grievances with the war, including the possibility of secession. They decided against it, and came up with a bunch of solutions that they could propose. They never got to, as the war ended swiftly afterward.

Themes:
Federalism vs. Anti-federalism - Federalists were upset with the war because it was impacting their trade, Anti-federalists were find cause they had a self-sufficient agriculture
United or Divided - people were pretty divided on the war
Sectionalism and Regionalism - The northerners were concerned about their welfare only, and not thinking about the welfare of literally everyone else

Battle of New Orleans

A decisive victory after the Treaty of Ghent was established.

Era of Good Feelings

Start of Monroe’s presidency, everyone is very united and patriotic because the Battle of New Orleans gave the illusion that America won the war. Monroe even went on a national tour, which improved moral even more.

Themes:
UNITEEEED RAGHHHHH AMERICAAAA

Missouri Compromise

Missouri joins the union as a slave state while Maine joins as a free state.

Themes:
Enslavement - adding territories w/ slavery really builds up the civil war as the tensions of the North having no slavery with the South having it will only pile on top of each other.
Partyism - this could be political because people want to be voted for, and they will be by people who share the same ideals and views. Slavery is one of those views.
Growth and Expansion - We gain more territory!