The Federalist Era

Excise Tax

A tax on whiskey. The tax was higher on small farmers, because Hamilton figured that the major distillers would still pay more.

Funding at Par

Paying of government bonds at face value to the holder of the bond, not necessarily the person the bond was issued to.

Benevolent Procrastination

The practice, first set up by George Washington, that said the United States should hold off of getting involved in international affairs until it was strong enough to be effective.

Anthony Wayne

The general commanding the American soldiers at the Battle of Foreign Timbers. His nickname was "Mad".

Treaty of Greenville

This treaty between the Americans and the Native Americans. In exchange for some goods, the Indians gave the United States territory in Ohio. Anthony Wayne was the American representative.

James Madison

While originally a Federalist, he did not like how they abused their power and joined the Republicans.

James Monroe

A Republican, he was ambassador to France under Jefferson, and was against the treaties with the British and then the Spanish.

Agrarian Society

An economy based on farming with commercial activity designed only to aid the argriculture.

George Washington's Farewell Address

Written primarily by Alexander Hamilton, the speech called for American isolation and condemned political parties.

12th Amendment

Under this, the way that Presidents and Vice Presidents were elected changed. It eliminated the possibility for members of opposing political parties being president and vice president.

Quasi-War

A state of undeclared hostility between France and America that was fought at sea. It was over the aftermath of Jay's Treaty and the refusal of the United States to repay their debts to the old French Government.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Sensing that their downfall was imminent, the Federalists tried to postpone it. The Republicans had a growing base in the immigrants, so the Federalists tried to make the number of years required for citizenship higher. In order to prevent the Republicans from speaking out against them, they made it illegal to talk ill of the government or President Adams. These laws backfired in that they made public opinion of the Federalists decrease drastically.

Revolution of 1800

Thomas Jefferson and the Democratic Republicans unseated the incumbent Federalist party. It was the first time in a western government where a change in the ruling power had occurred so radically, peacefully, and without bloodshed.

National Bank

Set up by Hamilton, it gave the government a place to keep money. Two million was put up by the government and eight million by investors.

Tariffs

A tax put on imported goods.

Strict Construction

The constitution must be followed word for word.

Assumption of Debts

The national government took on all of the state debts.

Cabinet

George Washington set up the the practice of the president having a group of advisers.

Whiskey Rebellion

In response to Hamilton's excise tax, farmers in Pennsylvania marched on Pittsburgh. Washington called up 15,000 militia and personally led them against the rebellion. His reputation caused the rebels to disband without incident.

Jay's Treaty

This treaty gave Britain most favored nation status from America while Britain pulled its forts out of American territory and set up a system to look at the commandeering of American ships by the British. This treaty averted war and showed that the USA had gained respect from Europe with their Constitution.

John Adams

The second President of the United States. He was a federalist, but he was his own man. He met public criticism towards the end of his term and this led to the downfall of the Federalist party.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Responses to the Alien and Sedition Acts that said that the states withheld the right to nullify laws of Congress that they found unconstitutional.

Loose Construction

Using the elastic clause, they said that you did not have to follow the constitution word for word.

George Washington

The first president of the United States. He wanted the United States to stay neutral.

Knox, Hamilton, Jefferson

Members of George Washington's cabinet. They were all old friends of his.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

The Americans beat an a group of Native Americans, and discovered they were using weapons given them by the British.

War Bonds

In order to increase funding the military, the United States sold these.

First Party System

The Republicans and Federalists battled for national supremacy in the government.

Republicans

This party was made in response to the Federalists. The leader was Thomas Jefferson. They were pro-French, pro-agrarian, and wanted a strict construction, They wanted the states to be the most powerful.

Federalists

They were the first party, led by Alexander Hamilton. They wanted a strong national government and a loose construction. They were pro-British and wanted capitalism.

Commercial Society

An economy based on trade and industry.

French Revolution

Peasants in France rose up against the monarchy and overthrew it. The government that was put in its place, however, was tyrannical.

Citizen Genet

An ambassador from France, who came to America and tried to mobilize American seamen against England and Spain without meeting with George Washington.

Pinckney's Treaty

A treaty between Spain and America that fixed the border with Florida, allowed Americans to traverse the Mississippi and keep products in New Orleans without paying an extra fee.

XYZ Affair

When a delegation of Americans arrived in France, they were approached by three French officials who demanded bribes simply to begin the talks. The Americans refused, and the uproar created in America almost brought the country to war. The famous phrase from this event was "A million for defense, but not one cent for tribute."