Early Federalist Period & Jeffersonian Era: Key Events & Policies

George Washington's Hesitancy to Become President (1789)

Washington reluctantly accepted the presidency, fearing he might disappoint the nation or appear monarchical.

Significance of Washington's Hesitancy

Demonstrated humility and reassured Americans the new government wouldn't become a dictatorship.

Connection of Washington's Hesitancy

Helped build trust in a strong executive under the Constitution.

First Cabinet (1789)

Washington created the first advisory departments—State (Thomas Jefferson), Treasury (Alexander Hamilton), War (Henry Knox), Attorney General (Edmund Randolph).

Significance of the First Cabinet

Established the executive structure not explicitly detailed in the Constitution.

Connection of the First Cabinet

Jefferson vs. Hamilton ideological fights began here.

Bill of Rights (1791)

First 10 amendments guaranteeing freedoms like speech, press, religion, due process, trial rights.

Significance of the Bill of Rights

Addressed Anti-Federalist fears about centralized power.

Connection of the Bill of Rights

Secured broader support for the Constitution.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created the federal court system and formalized the Supreme Court.

Significance of the Judiciary Act of 1789

Provided the foundation for federal judicial authority.

Connection of the Judiciary Act of 1789

Key to later judicial review (Marbury v. Madison).

Hamilton's Economic Plans (1790-1791)

Included assumption of state debts, creation of the national bank, excise taxes (including whiskey), and support for manufacturing.

Significance of Hamilton's Economic Plans

Stabilized national finances and restored credit.

Connection of Hamilton's Economic Plans

Sparked the first major party divide.

Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

Loose: (Federalists) Government can use implied powers not explicitly listed. Strict: (Democratic-Republicans) Government restricted to written powers only.

Significance of Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

Central debate over the constitutionality of the National Bank.

Connection of Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

Influenced future constitutional conflicts.

Creation of Washington D.C. as a Compromise (1790)

Southern support for Hamilton's debt plan exchanged for relocating the capital to a southern site.

Significance of the Creation of Washington D.C.

Resolved sectional dispute.

Connection of the Creation of Washington D.C.

Showed early regional tensions between North and South.

Federalist Party (1790s)

Led by Hamilton; favored strong national government, national bank, commercial/manufacturing economy.

Geography of the Federalist Party

New England, northern cities.

Significance of the Federalist Party

Dominated Washington and Adams's administrations.

Connection of the Federalist Party

Opposed Democratic-Republicans in America's first party system.

Democratic-Republican Party (1790s)

Led by Jefferson and Madison; favored states' rights, agriculture, and strict interpretation.

Geography of the Democratic-Republican Party

South and western frontier.

Significance of the Democratic-Republican Party

Represented farmers and anti-centralization interests.

Naturalization Act of 1790

First U.S. citizenship law; limited naturalization to "free white persons."

"Nation Within a Nation"

Idea that Native American tribes functioned as independent political entities inside U.S. borders.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

General Anthony Wayne defeated Native confederations in Ohio.

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

Native tribes ceded most of Ohio to the U.S.

Washington's Declaration of Neutrality (1793)

Proclaimed the U.S. neutral during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Jay's Treaty (1794)

Britain agreed to leave western forts; the U.S. repaid pre-Revolutionary debts.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Spain granted navigation rights to the Mississippi River and port of New Orleans.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Western farmers protested Hamilton's whiskey tax.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

Washington's published warnings to the nation.

Election of 1796

Adams (Federalist) won; Jefferson (DR) became VP due to old electoral rules.

XYZ Affair (1797-1798)

French agents demanded bribes to negotiate.

Quasi-War with France (1798-1800)

Undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Alien Acts: Increased residency requirements; allowed deportation. Sedition Act: Criminalized criticism of the government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions / Nullification (1798-1799)

Jefferson and Madison argued that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

Adams's Achievements & Worst Mistake

Achievements: Strengthened the Navy; avoided full war with France. Worst Mistake: Signed the Alien & Sedition Acts.

Death of George Washington (1799)

Washington died at Mount Vernon.

Significance of Washington's Death

Unified the nation temporarily.

Election of 1800

Jefferson and Burr tied; House of Representatives decided the winner.

Significance of the Election of 1800

Massive partisan conflict nearly caused a constitutional crisis.

"Revolution of 1800"

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans.

Significance of the "Revolution of 1800"

First peaceful party-to-party transfer in world history.

Mudslinging

Personal insults and attacks used during the election.

Significance of Mudslinging

One of the ugliest elections ever.

Adams's Reaction to Jefferson Winning

Adams quietly left Washington before the inauguration.

Significance of Adams's Reaction

Peaceful but bitter transition.

James Callender

Journalist hired by Republicans to attack Adams.

Significance of James Callender

Influenced public opinion through scandal-driven press.

Aaron Burr

Jefferson's running mate who tied him in electoral votes.

Significance of Aaron Burr

Caused a constitutional deadlock.

12th Amendment (1804)

Required separate ballots for president and vice president.

Significance of the 12th Amendment

Prevented another election tie like 1800.

Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)

Third U.S. president; leader of the Democratic-Republicans who promoted limited federal government and an agrarian republic.

Significance of Thomas Jefferson

Shifted power away from Federalists and reduced taxes, debt, and military size.

Jefferson's Republican Vision

Jefferson's belief that America should be a nation of independent yeoman farmers.

Significance of Jefferson's Republican Vision

Rejected Hamilton's industrial vision.

Jefferson's Goals

Lower debt, cut taxes, reduce military, shrink federal government.

Significance of Jefferson's Goals

Attempted to undo Federalist centralization.

Jefferson's Contradictions

Used loose interpretation for Louisiana Purchase; enforced Embargo Act; enslaved people despite writing about liberty.

Significance of Jefferson's Contradictions

Showed gap between Jefferson's ideals and actions.

Sally Hemings

Enslaved woman at Monticello who had children fathered by Jefferson.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

U.S. bought Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.

Napoleon

French ruler who sold Louisiana due to war needs and Haiti's revolution.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case establishing judicial review.

Judicial Review

Authority of Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.

Barbary Pirates (1801-1805)

North African pirates who attacked American ships; Jefferson sent U.S. Navy.

Impressment

British seizure of American sailors for Royal Navy.

Embargo Act of 1807

Banned all U.S. trade with the world.

James Madison (1809-1817)

Fourth president; chief author of Constitution; Democratic-Republican.

Causes of the War of 1812

Impressment, British arming Natives, desire for Canada, pressure from War Hawks.

Tecumseh & The Prophet

Shawnee brothers who united tribes to resist U.S. expansion.

War Hawks (Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun)

Young congressmen demanding war with Britain.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

Harrison defeated the Prophet's forces.

Oliver Hazard Perry / Put-in-Bay (1813)

Naval commander who won control of Lake Erie.

Francis Scott Key / Star-Spangled Banner

Poem written during bombing of Fort McHenry.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Jackson's major victory (fought after treaty signed).

Noble Savages

Jefferson's belief that Natives could be "civilized."

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Ended War of 1812; restored status quo borders.

Uncle Sam (War of 1812)

Symbol based on Samuel Wilson, who supplied U.S. troops.

James Monroe

Fifth president; Democratic-Republican.

Era of Good Feelings

Period of one-party rule with nationalism after War of 1812.

Nationalism vs. Sectionalism

Nationalism = unity; Sectionalism = regional loyalty.

Tariff of 1816

First protective tariff to aid U.S. industry.

American System (Henry Clay)

Plan for bank, tariffs, and internal improvements.

Second Bank of the U.S. (1816)

Rechartered national bank.

Panic of 1819

First major economic depression.

John Marshall

Chief Justice who strengthened federal power.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Missouri slave; Maine free; 36°30' line for slavery.

Adams-Onís Treaty (1819)

Spain ceded Florida to U.S.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Declared Western Hemisphere closed to Europe.

Samuel Slater

Brought British textile knowledge to America.

Samuel Morse

Inventor of telegraph and Morse code.

Eli Whitney

Invented cotton gin and interchangeable parts.