Presidencies of Washington, Adams, and Jefferson

Vocabulary terms covering the administrative foundations, economic plans, foreign policies, and key legal cases during the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

Department of State

The federal department handled by Thomas Jefferson that manages relationships with over 180 foreign countries.

Department of the Treasury

The department managed by Alexander Hamilton that handles the United States financial systems, including making money and collecting taxes.

Department of War

The department led by Henry Knox that provides the military (Army, Navy, and Air Force) to defend the country; now part of the Department of Defense.

Office of Attorney General

An office first held by Edmund Jennings Randolph within the Department of Justice, responsible for enforcing laws and protecting public safety.

Precedent

An action or decision that sets an example for others to follow in the future, such as Washington creating a cabinet or stepping down after 2 terms.

Judiciary Act of 1789

A law that established the Supreme Court with one Chief Justice and five Associate Justices and laid out the function of the judicial branch.

John Jay

The first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

Bond

A certificate that promises to repay money loaned, plus interest, on a certain date.

Assumption Plan

Alexander Hamilton's economic proposal for the national government to repay both federal and state debts incurred during the Revolution.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods intended to raise government revenue and protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition.

National Bank

An institution proposed by Hamilton to handle large debts, issue government bills, and make loans to farmers and businesses.

Necessary and Proper clause

A constitutional provision used to justify the creation of the National Bank, allowing Congress to make all laws required to carry out its duties.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising of backcountry farmers against a whiskey tax which was suppressed by militia troops sent by Washington, proving the strength of the new government.

Treaty of Greenville

An agreement where leaders of the Miami and other Native American groups gave up land in Ohio in exchange for $20,000$ and a promise of more money.

Neutrality

The official U.S. policy during the war between France and Britain, declared by Washington to avoid military involvement while the nation was weak and in debt.

Jay’s Treaty

A 1794 commercial treaty with Britain that granted the U.S. 'most favoured nation' status but failed to address the impressment of sailors.

Pinckney’s Treaty

A 1795 treaty with Spain that settled borders at the Mississippi and the 31st parallel and granted Americans the right of deposit at New Orleans.

Right of deposit

The allowance for one nation to temporarily store goods on another nation's soil without paying fees or duties.

Federalists

A political party led by Hamilton and Adams that favored a strong federal government and loose interpretation of the Constitution.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party led by Jefferson and Madison that favored limited federal power and strict interpretation of the Constitution.

XYZ Affair

An incident where French officials demanded a bribe to meet U.S. diplomats, leading to the end of the U.S.-French alliance and the Quasi-War.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict in the Caribbean between the U.S. and France following the XYZ affair.

Naturalization Act

A law under the Alien and Sedition Acts that extended the residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 14 years.

Sedition Act

A law making it a crime to publish 'false, scandalous, and malicious writing' against the government, widely considered a violation of the freedom of press.

Doctrine of Nullification

The principle argued in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions that states have the right to void federal laws they deem unconstitutional.

12th Amendment

A constitutional change requiring electors to cast separate distinct ballots for President and Vice President to prevent deadlocks like the Election of 1800.

Laissez-Faire

An economic theory meaning 'let do' or 'leave alone,' suggesting the government should not interfere in the economy.

Bipartisanship

When opposing political parties find common ground or work together, as Jefferson did by keeping Hamilton's National Bank.

Marbury v Madison

An 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judicial Review

The power of the judicial branch to declare an act of Congress to be unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase

The 1803 acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France for $15$ million, doubling the size of the United States.

Sacagawea

A Shoshone woman who served as a guide and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark expedition, helping ensure its survival and peaceful interactions.

Zebulon Pike

An explorer whose expedition through the upper Mississippi and the Southwest sparked American interest in Spanish territory.

Tecumseh

A Shawnee leader who urged Native American resistance to U.S. expansion and the preservation of traditional culture.

Barbary States

North African nations whose pirates attacked U.S. merchant ships in the Mediterranean Sea, leading to a small-scale war involving the U.S. Marines.

Impressment

The British practice of kidnapping American sailors and forcing them into military service.

Embargo Act

An 1807 law that banned all foreign trade, intended to hurt Britain and France but resulting in mass unemployment and smuggling in the U.S.