APUSH Chapter 6 Key Terms

Alexander Hamilton

Successful New York lawyer, largely federalist.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Move by the Federalists to deprive republicans of voters. Worried that European revolutionaries might come to America.

Used to arrest people who spoke badly about the government.

Antifederalists

Argued that Constitution gave too much power to the government. Led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams, believed themselves to be the defenders of the Revolution’s true principles.

Bill of Rights

What Antifederalists had argued for, protection of individual rights.

Checks and Balances

Separation of power within the government with a system that maintains non-corrupt power.

Citizenship

The status of being a member of a particular country or nation and having the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that come with it. Typically involves being a legal resident or having obtained citizenship through birth, descent, or naturalization.

Constitution

A written document that outlines the fundamental principles, structure, and powers of a government.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments. Allows for shared governance and autonomy at different levels. The central government has certain powers, while the state or regional governments have their own powers.

Federalists

A term that opponents of centralization had once used to describe themselves.

A person who advocates or supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority.

James Madison

Most important person in the American Constitution. Devised the Virginia Plan. Resolved two philosophical questions: sovereignty and limiting power.

Jay’s Treaty

Paved the way for a settlement of important American disputes with Spain. Such as Pinckney’s Treaty.

John Adams

Leading Federalist, first vice president, second president.

New Jersey Plan

Offered by Willian Paterson that would retain the essence of the Confederation with its one-house legislature in which all states had equal representation. Rejected but made Virginia Plan supporters realize they had to make concessions for smaller states.

Pinckney’s Treaty

Spain recognized the right of Americans to navigate the Mississippi to its mouth and to deposit goods at New Orleans for reloading on oceangoing ships; agreed to fix the northern boundary of Florida along the 31st parallel; and commanded its authorities to prevent Native Americans in Florida from launching raids north across that border.

Quasi War

Naval war between France and America. Caused by disagreements over treaties and America’s decision to remain neutral in French revolution.

Republicans

Federalist opponents. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Revolution of 1800

When Jefferson won presidency where he believed the nation had been saved from Federalist tyranny.

Separation of Powers

Provided by the Constitution and managed by checks and balances.

The Federalist Papers

Essays by this party defending the Constitution.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Anti-federalist. Relied on the ideas of John Locke and the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution, which gave to the states power to reject laws. Compact theory among the states.

Virginia Plan

James Madison. National legislature of two houses, with states represented in both bodies in proportion to their population. Timeline-wise, New Jersey Plan was the suggested fix to ignored small states in this plan.

Whiskey Rebellion

Farmers refused the pay the new whiskey excise tax and terrorized the tax collectors. Federal government won the rebels through intimidation. (Hamilton coaxed Washington to launch the iron fist with 15,000 soldiers.)

XYZ Affair

Causing the quasi war, Adams was pressured by Congress to release commissioners report of the French agents, naming them Messrs. [][][].

Provoked widespread popular outrage at France’s actions.