U.S. Constitution and Early Federal Government Key Concepts

Constitution

The supreme law of the land that outlines the framework of government.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Three Branches of Government

The division of government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks & Balances

A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

George Washington

The first President of the United States and a Founding Father.

Cabinet System

A body of advisers to the president, composed of the heads of the executive departments.

Precedents/Examples

Previous actions or decisions that serve as a guide for future similar circumstances.

Alexander Hamilton

The first Secretary of the Treasury and a key architect of the financial system.

Financial Plan

Hamilton's strategy to stabilize the American economy, including assuming state debts.

National Bank

A bank chartered by the federal government to provide a stable currency and manage government funds.

Protective Tariff / Excise Tariff

Taxes imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising against the tax on whiskey that tested the federal government's authority.

Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

Federalists VS. Democratic Republicans

The first political parties in the U.S. with differing views on government power and economy.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

A declaration by Washington that the U.S. would remain neutral in conflicts between foreign nations.

Farewell Address (1796)

Washington's final address warning against political parties and foreign alliances.

John Adams

The second President of the United States and a leading advocate for independence.

XYZ Affair (1798)

A diplomatic incident that led to an undeclared war between the U.S. and France.

Alien & Sedition Act (1798)

Laws that made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and restricted speech critical of the government.

Virginia Kentucky Resolutions

Statements asserting that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

Unwritten Constitution

Practices and precedents that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Two-term limit

A tradition established by Washington that presidents should serve no more than two terms.

Peaceful transfer of power

The process by which one administration hands over power to the next without conflict.

Constitution

The supreme law of the land that outlines the framework of government.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Three Branches of Government

The division of government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks & Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

George Washington

The first President of the United States and a founding father.

Cabinet System

A group of advisors to the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

Precedents/Examples

Actions or decisions that serve as an example for future similar circumstances.

Alexander Hamilton

The first Secretary of the Treasury and a key architect of the financial system.

Financial Plan

Hamilton's proposal to stabilize the American economy through federal assumption of state debts and the creation of a national bank.

National Bank

A bank chartered by the federal government to manage the nation's finances.

Protective Tariff / Excise Tariff

Taxes imposed on imported goods to protect domestic industries.

Whiskey Rebellion

A 1794 uprising in Pennsylvania against the federal excise tax on whiskey.

Thomas Jefferson

The third President of the United States and a founding father.

Federalists VS. Democratic Republicans

The first political parties in the U.S., with Federalists favoring a strong central government and Democratic-Republicans advocating for states' rights.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

A declaration by Washington that the U.S. would remain neutral in conflicts between foreign nations.

Farewell Address (1796)

Washington's final address as president, warning against political parties and foreign alliances.

John Adams

The second President of the United States and a founding father.

XYZ Affair (1798)

A diplomatic incident between the U.S. and France that led to an undeclared war.

Alien & Sedition Act (1798)

Laws that made it harder for immigrants to become citizens and restricted speech against the government.

Virginia Kentucky Resolutions

Statements asserting that states could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

Unwritten Constitution

Practices and precedents that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Two-term limit

The tradition established by Washington of serving only two terms as president.

Peaceful transfer of power

The transition of authority from one administration to another without conflict.