Unit 3 Ch. 9 AP U.S. History Key terms

Bill of Rights (1791)

First ten amendments to the Constitution; guaranteed individual liberties like freedom of speech, press, religion, and trial rights.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Created the federal court system, including the Supreme Court, district, and circuit courts.

Funding at par (1790)

Hamilton's plan for the federal government to pay off national and state debts at full face value to build credit.

Assumption (1790)

Hamilton's policy for the federal government to assume state debts from the Revolution, strengthening federal authority.

Tariff (1789)

Tax on imports passed to raise revenue and protect American industries.

Excise tax (1791)

Tax on domestic goods like whiskey; sparked the Whiskey Rebellion.

Strict construction

Belief (Jefferson's view) that the Constitution should be interpreted literally; federal government only has powers explicitly given.

Bank of the United States (1791)

Created by Hamilton; a national bank to stabilize the economy; opposed by Jefferson as unconstitutional.

Battle of the Wabash (1791)

Native American victory against U.S. forces in the Northwest Territory; one of the worst defeats of the U.S. Army.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Uprising in Pennsylvania against the excise tax on whiskey; Washington crushed it, proving federal authority.

Reign of Terror (1793-94)

Period of extreme violence during the French Revolution; divided Americans over support for France.

Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)

Successful slave revolt in French Saint-Domingue; inspired fear among U.S. slaveholders.

Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Washington's statement that the U.S. would remain neutral in European conflicts.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

U.S. victory by General "Mad Anthony" Wayne over Native Americans in the Northwest Territory.

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

Treaty in which Native Americans ceded much of Ohio to the U.S. after Fallen Timbers.

Jay's Treaty (1794)

Agreement with Britain; Britain promised to leave frontier posts but angered Americans by failing to stop impressment.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Agreement with Spain giving Americans navigation rights on the Mississippi River and New Orleans port access.

Farewell Address (1796)

Washington's speech warning against political parties and foreign alliances.

XYZ Affair (1797-98)

Diplomatic scandal where French agents demanded bribes from American envoys; sparked calls for war with France.

Quasi-War with France (1798-1800)

Undeclared naval war between the U.S. and France.

Convention of 1800

Treaty that ended the U.S.-French alliance peacefully.

Alien Laws (1798)

Federalist laws raising residency requirement for citizenship and allowing deportation of "dangerous" foreigners.

Sedition Act (1798)

Federalist law that made criticizing the government illegal; targeted Jeffersonian opposition.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798-99)

Written by Jefferson and Madison; argued that states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

George Washington

First U.S. president; set many precedents; supported neutrality and strong federal government.

Alexander Hamilton

Treasury Secretary; created financial plan (assumption, funding at par, Bank of the U.S.); leader of Federalists.

Louis XVI

King of France executed during the French Revolution; his death deepened divisions in American opinion about supporting France.

Edmond Genêt

French envoy who tried to recruit Americans to fight for France, violating U.S. neutrality.

Little Turtle

Miami chief who led Native resistance in the Northwest; defeated U.S. forces at the Wabash.

"Mad Anthony" Wayne

U.S. general who defeated Native Americans at Fallen Timbers.

John Jay

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

John Adams

Second U.S. president; faced XYZ Affair, Quasi-War, and passed Alien and Sedition Acts.

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

French foreign minister involved in the XYZ Affair.