AMSTUD Unit 3

George Washington

defined by his leadership in the new republic, establishing precedents like the cabinet system and the Supreme Court through the Judiciary Act of 1789, and delivering a Farewell Address warning against political parties, permanent foreign alliances, and European entanglements. His unanimous election as the first president set the standard for the executive branch

Judiciary Act of 1789

In 1789, this act established a Supreme Court with one chief justice and five associate justices. The Supreme Court was able to rule on the constitutionality of state courts. It provided for a system of thirteen district courts and three courts of appeals.

Alexander Hamilton/five point financial plan

One of the authors of the Federalist Papers. He favored a strong central government. He was George Washington's secretary of treasury, advocating for a strong central government, national economic policies like the Bank of the United States, and a robust industrial economy

Report on Public Credit

It called for payment in full on all government debts as the foundation for establishing government credit.

Report on a National Bank

The plan involved federal assumption of state debts and funding the national debt, which was highly controversial and contributed to the rise of the first political parties. 

Report on Manufactures

Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's 1791 analysis that predicted the future of American industry and proposed tariffs and subsidies to promote it. The report was part of Hamilton's larger economic plan to ensure the financial and military independence of the young United States. 

French Revolution

Americans generally supported the French people's aspiration to establish a republic, but many were horrified by the reports of mob hysteria and mass executions. Thomas Jefferson and his supporters argued that the U.S. should join France in its defensive war against Britain. However, George Washington believed that the U.S. was too young a nation and not strong enough to engage in a European war.

Proclamation of Neutrality

In 1793, President George Washington issued a proclamation the U.S. would remain neutral in the war between Britain and France.

Jay’s Treaty with Great Britain

In 1794, this treaty with Britain, was negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay. The U.S. wanted Britain to stop seizing U.S. ships and impressing sailors. However, the treat said nothing about ship seizures and Britain only agreed to evacuate posts on the U.S. frontier.

Pinckney’s Treaty with Spain

In 1795, Thomas Pinckney, the U.S. minister to Spain, negotiated this treaty with Spain. Spain agreed to open the lower Mississippi and New Orleans to trade. The right of deposit was granted to Americans so they could transfer cargoes in New Orleans without paying duties. It was agreed that Spain would only control areas south of the 31st parallel.

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, a group of farmers in western Pennsylvania, refused to pay a federal excise tax (tax on a specific product) on alcohol they were producing. President Washington responded by using 15,000 militiamen to stop the rebellion with almost no bloodshed.

Federalists

an early American political party, founded in the late 18th century by figures like Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, that advocated for a strong centralized government, a loose interpretation of the Constitution to promote economic development through commerce and manufacturing, and close ties with Great Britain.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party that were against the Federalists. They opposed a strong central government and favored states rights. They were led by Thomas Jefferson.

Thomas Jefferson

Washington’s first secretary of state, a leader of the Democratic-Republican Party, and the primary drafter of the Declaration of Independence.

loose construction

the legal doctrine that the federal government can use powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution to carry out its responsibilities.

strict construction

the belief that the federal government is limited to the powers and actions explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Washington’s Farewell Address

In late 1796, George Washington wrote this address for publication in newspapers. It warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent foreign alliances, not to form political parties, and not to fall into sectionalism.

John Adams

In 1796, this Federalist was elected as the second president of the United States. In 1800, he lost the presidential election to Thomas Jefferson, a Democratic-Republican.

XYZ Affair

President John Adams sent a delegation to Paris to negotiate over U.S. merchant ships being attacked by French ships. French ministers, known as X, Y, and Z, because their names were never revealed, requested bribes. President Adams resisted a call for war among Americans after this disgrace, by sending a new delegation over to France.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Acts by the Federalists which authorized the president to imprison and deport enemy aliens in wartime. It made also made it illegal for newspaper editors to criticize the president or Congress.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

In 1799, two states passed resolutions that argued states had the right to nullify laws passed at the federal level.

1st Continental Congress

gathering of delegates from twelve of the thirteen American colonies that took place in 1774 in Philadelphia. This assembly was convened in response to the Intolerable Acts, which were punitive measures imposed by the British government, and it aimed to address colonial grievances regarding taxation and lack of representation.

Battle of Lexington and Concord

marked the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War on April 19, 1775. This confrontation was significant as it symbolized the beginning of armed resistance against British rule, showcasing the colonists' resolve to defend their rights and liberties.

Declaration of Independence

foundational document that announced the American colonies' separation from British rule, asserting their right to self-govern and listing grievances against King George III. This pivotal text reflects Enlightenment ideals and significantly influenced both American identity and the global movement for democracy and independence.

Loyalists (Tories)

viewpoints held by those in the American colonies who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. These individuals believed in maintaining ties with Britain for economic stability, social order, and protection against perceived threats from radical revolutionaries

Patriots

American colonists who opposed British rule during the American Revolution and fought for independence

Battle of Saratoga

marked a pivotal turning point in the American Revolutionary War, as it resulted in a significant victory for the American forces against the British. This battle not only boosted American morale but also convinced France to enter the war as an ally of the colonies, altering the course of the conflict.

Treaty of Alliance with France

formal agreement between the American colonies and France during the American Revolution, aimed at supporting the colonies in their fight for independence from British rule. This alliance was pivotal in providing crucial military support, resources, and recognition to the American cause, significantly influencing the outcome of the war.

Treaty of Paris

signed on September 3, 1783, between the American colonies and Great Britain, ended the American Revolution and formally recognized the United States as an independent nation.

Daughters of Liberty

groups of patriotic women in the American colonies who actively supported the colonial cause by organizing boycotts of British goods, promoting non-importation movements, and producing homespun substitutes to promote economic self-sufficiency

Republican Motherhood

a concept that emerged after the American Revolution, emphasizing the crucial role of women in nurturing the new republic by educating their children to be virtuous, civic-minded citizens

Haitian Revolution

a successful 1791-1804 slave uprising in the French colony of Saint-Domingue (modern-day Haiti) that led to the establishment of the first independent black republic and the only nation founded by a slave revolt.

Articles of Confederation

the first U.S. constitution (1781-1789), establishing a weak central government and a loose confederation of states that retained most power

Land Ordinance/Northwest Ordinance/Northwest Territory

measure under the Articles of Confederation that provided a systematic process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory, while simultaneously establishing governance, banning slavery, and guaranteeing civil liberties in the region, making it a landmark act for westward expansion and American governance.  

Shay’s Rebellion

an armed revolt by debt-ridden farmers in western Massachusetts (1786-1787) protesting economic hardship and high taxes, which exposed the severe weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and fueled demands for a stronger central government, ultimately leading to the Constitutional Convention

Constitutional Convention

a 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where delegates from the thirteen original states drafted the U.S. Constitution, replacing the weak Articles of Confederation with a stronger federal system

Virginia Plan

a proposal presented by delegates from Virginia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention that called for a strong national government with a bicameral (two-house) legislature where representation would be based on state population.

New Jersey Plan

a proposal presented at the 1787 Constitutional Convention by William Paterson, advocating for a unicameral (one-house) legislature with equal representation for each state, regardless of population size, to protect the interests of smaller states.

Great Compromise

an agreement during the 1787 Constitutional Convention that established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on state population and a Senate with equal representation for every state, thereby resolving the conflict between large and small states and paving the way for the Constitution's ratification. 

Three-Fifths Compromise

an agreement made at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 that counted each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person for the purposes of determining a state's total population for Congressional representation and taxation.

Slave Trade Compromise

a 1787 agreement at the Constitutional Convention that allowed Congress to regulate commerce but prohibited it from banning the international slave trade for 20 years, until 1808.

Federalists

supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong national government during the late 18th-century ratification debates

Anti-Federalists

individuals and groups who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution because they feared a powerful central government would threaten state and individual liberties.

Federalist Papers

85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym "Publius" to advocate for the ratification of the US Constitution.

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution" for his crucial role in drafting and ratifying it, including his influential essays in The Federalist Papers. He is also credited as the "Father of the Bill of Rights" for sponsoring the first ten amendments.

federalism

a system of government where power is divided and shared between a central (national) government and regional (state) governments, each exercising direct authority over individuals.

separation of powers

he governmental principle of dividing a government's responsibilities into three distinct, independent branches—legislative, executive, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from accumulating too much authority.

Bill of Rights

the popular term for the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791. It guarantees fundamental individual rights and civil liberties—such as freedoms of speech, religion, and the press—and limits the power of the federal government.

French and Indian War (Seven Years War)

A war (1754-1763) between Great Britain and France (and their respective allies) over North American territory, particularly the Ohio River Valley. British victory led to France losing most of its North American possessions. This victory also resulted in significant British debt, leading to new taxes and stricter control over the American colonies, ultimately fueling colonial resentment and contributing to the American Revolution.

Albany Plan of Union

A proposal developed in 1754 by Benjamin Franklin that aimed to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies to better coordinate defense and relations with Native Americans during the French and Indian War.

Benjamin Franklin

A pivotal figure during this period, notable for proposing the Albany Plan of Union in 1754, serving as a diplomat during the Revolution, and signing both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Peace (Treaty) of Paris, 1763

The treaty that ended the French and Indian War, establishing British dominance in North America and ceding Canada and Florida to Britain while France ceded Louisiana to Spain.

Pontiac’s Rebellion

A conflict between Native American tribes and British forces in 1763, sparked by British policies following the French and Indian War, leading to a series of attacks on British forts and settlements in the Great Lakes region.

Proclamation of 1763

An edict issued by the British Crown that prohibited colonial expansion west of the Appalachian Mountains to prevent conflicts with Native Americans after the French and Indian War.

virtual representation

The British political theory that colonists were represented in Parliament by virtue of being British subjects, even without direct electoral representation, used to justify taxation and laws imposed on the American colonies.

Sugar Act, 1764

A British law that lowered the molasses tax but enforced it strictly, imposed new duties on colonial imports (sugar, wine, coffee), and expanded the use of vice-admiralty courts. It was the first act explicitly designed to raise revenue from the colonies, sparking colonial protest over "no taxation without representation."

Vice Admiralty Courts

British courts established in the colonies to try cases involving violations of navigation laws and other imperial legislation, notably those related to the Sugar Act. These courts operated without juries, placing the burden of proof on the accused, and were presided over by a royally appointed judge. Colonists viewed them as a violation of their right to a trial by jury and a tool of British oppression, contributing significantly to colonial discontent.

Quartering Act, 1765

A British law passed by Parliament that required American colonies to provide housing, food, and supplies for British troops stationed in the colonies. This act mandated that if barracks were unavailable, soldiers could be quartered in public houses, inns, or even private homes

Stamp Act, 1765

A British parliamentary act that mandated the use of specially stamped paper for virtually every printed material in the colonies, including newspapers, legal documents, playing cards, and even dice.

Patrick Henry

A prominent American attorney, planter, and orator from Virginia, recognized as one of the most influential figures in the American Revolution. He famously declared, "Give me liberty or give me death!" during a speech to the Second Virginia Convention in 1775, powerfully articulating the colonists' resolve for independence.

Stamp Act Congress

A meeting held in New York City in October 1765, attended by delegates from nine of the Thirteen Colonies (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and South Carolina). This extralegal convention was convened in response to the Stamp Act, a British law that imposed a direct tax on various printed materials in the colonies.

Sons of Liberty

A secret patriotic society formed by American colonists in the Thirteen Colonies, primarily after the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765.

Declaratory Act, 1766

An act passed by the British Parliament in March 1766, simultaneous to the repeal of the Stamp Act. defiantly asserted Parliament's absolute power to legislate for and tax the American colonies "in all cases whatsoever," thus explicitly reaffirming British parliamentary sovereignty and disregarding colonial claims of "no taxation without representation." It laid the groundwork for future imperial-colonial conflicts by maintaining the constitutional principle of British authority over the colonies.

Townshend Acts, 1767

A series of laws passed by the British Parliament in 1767, named after Charles Townshend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. These acts were designed to: raise revenue from the colonies to pay the salaries of colonial governors and judges (making them financially independent of colonial assemblies, thus strengthening British control); enforce trade regulations more effectively; and punish the New York assembly for its failure to comply with the Quartering Act of 1765.

writ of assistance

A general search warrant issued by British colonial courts, allowing customs officials to search any ship or building for smuggled goods without a specific reason or probable cause.

John Dickinson/Letters From a Farmer in Pennsylvania

An American lawyer, politician, and statesman from Pennsylvania and Delaware, known as the \"Penman of the Revolution\" for his influential writings. He was a moderate voice in the early stages of the American Revolution, seeking reconciliation with Britain while defending colonial rights.

Samuel Adams

A prominent American statesman, political philosopher, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, … was a leading figure in the movement that led to the American Revolution. He was known for his fervent opposition to British taxation and his efforts to organize colonial resistance.

Boston Massacre, 1770

A confrontation on March 5, 1770, in which British soldiers fired into a crowd of Bostonians, killing five colonists. This event significantly escalated tensions between Great Britain and the American colonies and became a powerful symbol of British tyranny.

Committees of Correspondence

Shadow governments formed by patriotic leaders in the Thirteen American Colonies on the eve of the American Revolution. These networks served as a vital system for communication and coordination among the colonies, helping to articulate and disseminate colonial grievances against British policies.

Tea Act, 1773

a law passed by the British Parliament that gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the American colonies

Boston Tea Party, 1773

a political protest in 1773 where American colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act and the broader issue of "taxation without representation"

Coercive Acts, 1774

a series of four punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 to punish the colony of Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party and to assert greater British control.

Quebec Act, 1774

a 1774 British law that angered American colonists by extending the boundaries of Quebec to the Ohio River, granting religious freedom to French Catholics, restoring French civil law, and denying a representative assembly to the new territory.

Deism

the Enlightenment-influenced belief that a Supreme Being created the universe and then allowed it to operate by natural laws, without any further intervention in human affairs or supernatural intervention

Thomas Paine/ Common Sense

a pamphlet arguing for American independence, widely popularizing concepts of republicanism and democracy by condemning British monarchy and urging colonists to abandon reconciliation and fight for their own liberty and self-governance.

John Locke/social contract/Jean Jacques Rousseau

individuals acquire civil rights by accepting the obligation to respect and protect the rights of others, thereby relinquishing certain personal freedoms in the process.