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James Madison
A US Statesman and political theorist. He was the 4th President of the US from 1809-1817. He is credited with the name “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Wrote the Federalist Papers in 1788.
Alexander Hamilton
Leader of Federalists. First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated the creation of a national bank, the assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt.
Federalist
Those who favored the Constitution and wanted a strong central government.
Anti-Federalist
Wanted a weak central government and more power to the people and opposed the ratification of the Constitution.
The Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay, promoted the ratification of the United States Constitution. These writings argued for a strong central government and outlined the principles of federalism, addressing concerns about potential tyranny and the need for a balanced system of governance.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1791, which outline and guarantee fundamental rights and freedoms for individuals. It was created to address the concerns of Anti-Federalists who feared that a strong central government would infringe upon personal liberties.
Washington Farewell Address
1) Do not get involved in foreign affairs
2) Do not make permanent alliances
3) Do not form political parties
4) Avoid sectionalism
Alien & Sedition Acts
Four laws passed by the Federalist-controlled Congress and signed by President John Adams intended to reduce foreign influence in the United States and public criticism of the government. Later ruled unconstitutional, ended the Federalists.
Kentucky & Virginia Resolution
Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799 in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional. Declared that states could nullify federal laws that the states considered unconstituional.
National Bank
Another document that was issued by Alexander Hamilton. In this document, Hamilton asked Congress to charter the Bank of the United States. He wanted this to be jointly owned by private stockholders and the national government.
Tariffs & Excise Taxes
Created to raise revenue for the Government to dissolve debt after the war; however, the tariffs were set too low for Hamilton who then proposed an excise tax. (Ex. Whiskey)
Battle of Fallen Timbers
An attack made by American General "Mad Anthony Wayne" against invading Indians from the northwest. The defeat of the Indians ended the alliance made with the British and Indians. Largely eliminated the Indian threat in the Northwest Territory.
Public Land Act 1796
Established procedures for selling western lands owned by the federal government at low prices. It was designed to encourage western settlement.
Constitutional Convention
The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It addressed the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation. Instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution.
Checks and Balances
The principle of government under which separate branches are employed to prevent actions by the other branches and are induced to share power. The framers of the Constitution for the U.S. saw the policy of checks and balances necessary for the government to run smoothly.
Virginia & New Jersey Plans
James Madison wrote the Virginia Plan that called for states with larger populations to have more representation in the government. William Paterson wrote a plan that called for equal representation for every state no matter what the population is.
Great Compromise
Compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention that established proportional representation of the states in the House of Representatives but equal representation in the Senate. Solved the dispute over the adoption of the Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan.
Three-Fifths Compromise
It determined that three out of every five slaves were counted when determining a state's total population for legislative representation and taxation.
Three Branches of Government
The powers of the government are divided between three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary.
Judiciary Act of 1789
Act that established a federal district court in each state and three circuit courts to hear appeals from the districts, with the Supreme Court having the final say. Also specified that cases arising in state courts that involved federal laws could be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court
The nation's final court of appeals. Supreme court decides if something is unconstitutional.
Whiskey Rebellion
An uprising of Western Pennsylvania farmers that took place between 1791-1794 in response to Alexander Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey. It was a key incident in the development of the First Two Party System in the United States.
John Adams
He was the second president of the United States and a Federalist. He was responsible for passing the Alien and Sedition Acts. Prevented all out war with France after the XYZ Affair. His passing of the Alien and Sedition Acts severely hurt the popularity of the Federalist party and himself.
Revolution of 1800
The election of 1800 was against the 2 parties, Republican Jefferson and Federalists Adams. After much debate, Jefferson was rewarded victory. It's called a revolution because it produced the first orderly transfer of power from one party to another- without violence.
Proclamation of Neutrality of 1793
Made in 1793 by President George Washington. It declares that the United States would not join any wars and would continue to trade with all involved warring countries, even if two of them are fighting against each other.
Jay Treaty
Was made up by John Jay. It said that Britain was to pay for Americans ships that were seized in 1793. It said that Americans had to pay British merchants debts owed from before the revolution and Britain had agreed to remove their troops from the Ohio Valley. Loose Construction.
Pinckney Treaty
It resolved territorial disputes between the two countries and granted American ships the right to free navigation of the Mississippi River as well as duty-free transport through the port of New Orleans, then under Spanish control.
XYZ Affair
A failed negotiation in which French diplomats demanded a bribe to help them fight a war against Great Britain and preserve their new government. The Quasi-War began when the United States began attacking French ships that were actively attempting to seize goods headed for Great Britain.
