AP US History Unit 2 Key Concepts: Constitution, Federalism, and Early Republic

Republic

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods.

3/5 Compromise

Determining how enslaved people would be counted for representation and taxation; it increased southern state representation in Congress and was a compromise between northern and southern states.

Marbury v. Madison Court Case and Judicial Review

William Marbury was supposed to receive a government position, but his appointment wasn't delivered before Jefferson became president. The Supreme Court ruled that Marbury had a right to his commission, but the law that gave the Supreme Court power to order Madison to deliver it was unconstitutional, establishing judicial review.

XYZ Affair

Happened when French representatives demanded money from American diplomats before they would negotiate, increasing tensions between the United States and France and leading to an undeclared conflict called the Quasi-War.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Alien Acts made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and gave the president more power over immigrants. Sedition Act made it illegal to publish certain false or critical statements about the government.

Checks and Balances

Three branches of government that check and balance each other.

Who appoints Supreme Court Justices?

The President appoints and the Senate confirms.

What is the presidential check on Congress?

Veto.

Differences between Jefferson and Hamilton's ideas surrounding constitutionality

Jefferson: Strict interpretation → limited federal power. Hamilton: Loose interpretation → stronger federal power.

Views and leaders of Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists: Strong national government. Leaders: Hamilton, Madison. Anti-Federalists: Stronger states/individual rights. Leaders: Patrick Henry, George Mason.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

No power to tax, no president, no national courts, weak national government. The Constitution fixed these by creating a stronger federal government.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments protecting individual rights.

1st Amendment

Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

No forced housing of soldiers.

4th Amendment

Protection from unreasonable searches.

10th Amendment

Powers not given to federal government belong to states/people.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, the U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, doubling U.S. territory.

How did the Louisiana Purchase go against Jefferson's views?

It went against Jefferson's strict interpretation because the Constitution didn't clearly give him power to buy land.

1800 election

Jefferson defeated John Adams, marking a peaceful transfer of power between political parties.

Great Compromise

Created a two-house Congress, satisfying both big and small states by allowing larger states more power in the House of Representatives and equal power for small states in the Senate.

Was the Louisiana Purchase 'the greatest land deal in history'?

Yes, it nearly doubled the size of the United States and gave control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

Importance of Checks and Balances

Prevented one branch of government from becoming too powerful; the president can veto laws, Congress can override a veto, and the Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.