Creating a Nation: Washington, Adams, and Jefferson

Vocabulary flashcards covering the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, including the development of political parties, early constitutional challenges, foreign policy, and westward expansion.

Whiskey Rebellion

A violent uprising by western Pennsylvania farmers protesting a federal excise tax on whiskey, which was suppressed when President George Washington marched a federal military force into the state.

Proclamation of Neutrality

An official declaration issued by President George Washington stating that the United States would remain neutral and not take sides in the war between Great Britain and France.

Impressment

The British practice of stopping U.S. merchant vessels, capturing American sailors, and forcing them to serve in the British military.

Jay's Treaty

An agreement negotiated in London by Chief Justice John Jay that averted war but disappointed many Americans because it primarily benefited Great Britain and did little to protect U.S. interests.

Washington's Farewell Address

A 1796 statement by George Washington that urged the nation to avoid permanent foreign alliances, maintain religion and morality as foundations of good government, and prevent the rise of divisive political parties.

Federalist Party

An early political faction led by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Adams that supported the Constitution, a strong national government, commercial interests, and tariffs.

Jeffersonian Republicans

An early political party led by Thomas Jefferson that favored states' rights, a weaker national government, and the economic interests of small farmers and debtors.

Naturalization Act

A Federalist measure passed during John Adams' presidency that extended the residency requirement for foreign immigrants seeking U.S. citizenship from five to fourteen years.

Alien Act

A law enacted under John Adams authorizing the federal government to arrest, detain, or deport foreign residents deemed untrustworthy.

Sedition Act

A controversial law passed under John Adams that restricted free speech and expression by making it a crime to criticize the federal government, primarily targeting Republican editors and critics.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Resolutions authored by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison asserting that states possess the right to reject and refuse enforcement of federal laws they consider unconstitutional.

Doctrine of Nullification

The constitutional principle claiming that individual states have the authority to void or invalidate any national law they believe violates the U.S. Constitution.

Election of 1800

The presidential race, termed the 'Revolution of 1800,' in which Thomas Jefferson defeated incumbent John Adams, ending Federalist dominance and initiating a generation of Republican rule.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict against France in 1798 that prompted federal tax increases to fund an army and navy, sparking widespread domestic political opposition.

Louisiana Purchase

The 1803 land acquisition from France for approximately 15 million dollars that doubled the geographical size of the United States and gave the nation full control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

Saint-Domingue

A French Caribbean colony (later known as Haiti) where an enslaved rebellion occurred, prompting Napoleon to abandon plans for an empire in the Western Hemisphere and sell Louisiana to the United States.