Textbook Terms, Chapter 6

Discusses the political, economic, and social consequences of the American Revolution.

Alexander Hamilton

A Federalist leader and first Secretary of the Treasury who created a financial plan to strengthen the national government through a national bank and federal assumption of state debts

Alien And Sedition Acts

Laws passed in 1798 under John Adams that increased residency requirements for citizenship and limited criticism of the federal government

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of the Constitution who feared a strong central government and demanded protections for individual rights

Bill Of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee civil liberties and limit federal power

Checks And Balances

A constitutional system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the others to prevent tyranny

Citizen Genet Affair

A 1793 diplomatic incident in which a French representative attempted to recruit American support for France, challenging U.S. neutrality

Federalists

A political party that supported a strong national government, commercial economy, and loose interpretation of the Constitution

Federal Structure (Federalism)

A system of government in which power is divided between the national government and the states

French Revolution

A 1789 uprising in France that overthrew the monarchy and sparked debate in the United States over foreign policy and republican values

Great Compromise

The Constitutional Convention agreement creating a bicameral legislature with equal representation in the Senate and proportional representation in the House

Hamilton's Financial Plan

An economic program that called for federal assumption of state debts, creation of a national bank, and promotion of manufacturing

James Madison

A key architect of the Constitution, co-author of The Federalist Papers, and later president of the United States

Jays Treaty

A 1794 agreement between the U.S. and Britain that resolved lingering conflicts from the Revolution but angered many Americans for favoring Britain

John Adams

The second president of the United States whose administration faced the Quasi-War and passed the Alien and Sedition Acts

Judiciary Act Of 1801

A law passed by Federalists creating new federal judgeships, leading to the “midnight judges” controversy

Neutrality Act

A 1794 law prohibiting Americans from aiding nations at war, reflecting Washington’s policy of neutrality

New Jersey Plan

A proposal at the Constitutional Convention calling for equal representation for each state in a unicameral legislature

Pinckneys Treaty

A 1795 treaty with Spain granting the U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi River and access to New Orleans

Quasi War

An undeclared naval conflict between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800

Republicans

Also known as Democratic-Republicans, a political party led by Thomas Jefferson that favored states’ rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution

Revolution Of 1800

The peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans after the election of Thomas Jefferson

Separation Of Powers

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Sovereignty

Supreme political authority; in the U.S. system, shared between the federal government and the states

The Federalist Papers

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay defending the Constitution

Virginia And Kentucky Resolutions

Statements written in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts arguing that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws

Virginia Plan

A Constitutional Convention proposal calling for a strong national government with representation based on population

Washington's Farewell Address

A 1796 speech warning against political parties and permanent foreign alliances

Weaknesses In The Articles Of Confederation

Structural flaws including lack of taxing power, no executive branch, no national court system, and difficulty amending the document

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising of western farmers protesting a federal excise tax on whiskey, demonstrating federal authority under the Constitution

XYZ Affair

A 1797 diplomatic scandal in which French agents demanded bribes from American negotiators, leading to anti-French sentiment and the Quasi-War