federalist period study guide

Who was George Washington?

First U.S. president; set important precedents, created the first Cabinet, remained neutral in foreign affairs.

Who was Alexander Hamilton?

First Secretary of the Treasury; created the Funding & Assumption Plan, national bank, and led the Federalist Party.

Who was George Mason?

Anti-Federalist; pushed for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Who was John Adams?

Second U.S. president; Federalist; faced the XYZ Affair, Alien & Sedition Acts, and major political controversies.

Who was Thomas Jefferson?

First Secretary of State; leader of the Democratic-Republicans; supported states’ rights and agriculture.

Who was James Madison?

“Father of the Constitution”; Democratic-Republican; later became the 4th president.

Who was Citizen Genêt?

French diplomat who tried to recruit Americans to fight for France, causing a foreign-policy crisis.

Who was John Jay?

First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; negotiated Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain.

What is the Cabinet?

A group of advisors to the president who lead executive departments.

What is a Federalist?

Supporter of a strong federal government; backed Hamilton’s economic policies.

What was Jay’s Treaty?

Treaty with Britain easing tensions; Britain agreed to leave forts but didn’t promise to stop attacking American ships.

What was the French Revolution?

Violent uprising in France that divided Americans—Federalists opposed supporting it, Democratic-Republicans supported it.

What was the XYZ Affair?

French agents demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats; led to anti-French feelings and the Quasi-War.

What were the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions?

States’ declarations claiming they could nullify federal laws like the Alien & Sedition Acts.

What were the Midnight Appointments?

Last-minute judges appointed by John Adams before leaving office to keep Federalist influence in government.

What is Funding-Assumption?

Hamilton’s plan for the national government to pay off state debts and strengthen national credit.

What is a Democratic-Republican?

Political party led by Jefferson; supported states’ rights and small government.

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

A violent protest against a tax on whiskey; Washington used troops to prove federal authority.

What was the Quasi-War?

An undeclared naval war between the U.S. and France from 1798–1800.

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Laws targeting immigrants and restricting free speech against the government; highly controversial.

What is Nullification?

The idea that states can cancel (nullify) a federal law they believe is unconstitutional.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual freedoms.

Who were the members of Washington’s Cabinet and what were their jobs?

• Thomas Jefferson – Secretary of State (handled foreign affairs)
• Alexander Hamilton – Secretary of the Treasury (managed finances)
• Henry Knox – Secretary of War (military matters)
• Edmund Randolph – Attorney General (legal advisor)

What right is recognized in the Bill of Rights?

Freedoms such as speech, religion, press, assembly, petition, right to bear arms, fair trial, protection against unreasonable searches, and more.

Compare Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.

• Federalists: Strong central government, support for industry, pro-British, loose interpretation of Constitution.
• Democratic-Republicans: Strong state governments, support for farmers, pro-French, strict interpretation of Constitution.

What were the major tests of Washington’s administration?

• Whiskey Rebellion
• Neutrality during French Revolution
• Jay’s Treaty dispute
• Establishing financial stability through Hamilton’s plans

What were the main ideas & warnings in Washington’s Farewell Address?

• Avoid political parties
• Stay out of permanent foreign alliances
• Stay united as a nation
• Support religion and morality
• Do not let regional differences divide the country

What issues arose from the French Revolution and European wars?

• U.S. division over whether to support France
• Attacks on American ships
• Citizen Genêt controversy
• Need for American neutrality

What were the main controversies in the Adams Administration?

• XYZ Affair
• Quasi-War with France
• Alien & Sedition Acts
• Strong party conflict between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

What Constitutional issues were raised by the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Critics argued the laws violated:

• First Amendment rights (free speech & press)
• States’ rights (fear federal power was too strong)
• Due process protections for immigrants
  Led to the Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions claiming states could nullify them.