HIST Final Exam

Who was Alexander Hamilton and why was he controversial in the 1790s?

The first Secretary of the Treasury who created the First Bank of the United States. Many Americans, including Jefferson and Madison, feared his policies favored the wealthy and might lead to a monarchy-like government.

What was the First Bank of the United States?

A national bank created by Alexander Hamilton to stabilize the economy and manage national finances. Critics believed it gave too much power to wealthy elites and the federal government.

Why did some Americans fear Hamilton’s policies?

They believed Hamilton might try to turn the United States into a monarchy, which worried people who had just fought a revolution against a king.

What was Thomas Jefferson’s role in early party politics?

Jefferson helped organize opposition to Hamilton and helped create the Democratic-Republican Party. (1792)

What role did James Madison play in the creation of political parties?

Madison worked with Jefferson to organize a political party to oppose Hamilton and the Federalists.

Why were political parties originally disliked in the United States?

Many believed parties would divide the country and prevent leaders from acting for the common good.

Who formed the Democratic-Republican Party and why?

Jefferson and Madison created it to oppose Hamilton’s policies and protect republican government.

What was the Federalist Party?

A political party led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams that supported:

• strong federal government

• close relations with Britain

• economic policies favoring commerce and finance.

Why was the French Revolution (1789) important to American politics?

It divided Americans into pro-French and anti-French factions, helping create the two-party system.

Which American political group supported the French Revolution?

Democratic-Republicans, led by Jefferson.

They believed:

• overthrowing monarchy was justified

• revolutions could protect liberty.

Which American political group opposed the French Revolution

Federalists, who believed the revolution led to chaos and social disorder.

Which country did Federalists favor in foreign policy?

Great Britain

Which country did Democratic-Republicans favor?

France, especially during the early years of the French Revolution.

What happened in the presidential election of 1792?

George Washington was reelected with little opposition.

Why was Washington’s decision to serve only two terms important?

It set a precedent for future presidents (later formalized in the 22nd Amendment).

Who won the presidential election of 1796?

John Adams (Federalist).

What conflict occurred between the United States and France during Adams’ presidency?

An undeclared naval war in which French and American ships attacked each other.

What was the XYZ Affair? (1797)

French officials demanded bribes from American diplomats before negotiating peace.

How did Americans react to the XYZ Affair?

Americans were outraged, leading to strong anti-French sentiment and increased support for the Federalists.

Federalists passed two acts in 1798

Alien Act and Sedition Act

What did the Alien Act do?

Made it easier to deport foreigners and harder for immigrants to stay in the U.S.

Purpose:

• Target immigrants likely to support Democratic-Republicans.

What did the Sedition Act do?

Made it illegal to criticize the federal government.

Why were the Alien and Sedition Acts controversial?

They limited free speech and civil liberties and were used to attack political opponents.

Why did the Federalists lose popularity?

Their support of the Alien and Sedition Acts made them appear authoritarian and anti-democratic.

Who won the presidential election of 1800?

Thomas Jefferson

Why is the election of 1800 historically important?

It marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history.

Who was Aaron Burr in the election of 1800?

Jefferson’s running mate who tied with Jefferson in electoral votes.

Why did Jefferson and Burr tie in the election of 1800?

Electors cast two votes for president; the runner-up became vice president.

How was the tie in the election of 1800 resolved?

The House of Representatives chose Thomas Jefferson as president. And! Aaron Burr was far more unreliable and lacked principles.

Why was the 12th Amendment added to the Constitution?

To prevent another tie like the one in 1800.

What did the 12th Amendment change?

Electors now vote separately for president and vice president.

What caused the creation of the two-party system in the U.S.?

Conflicts over:

• Hamilton’s economic policies

• the French Revolution

• foreign alliances

• power of the federal government.

What was the main difference between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?

Federalists

• strong central government

• pro-British

• supported wealthy elites

Democratic-Republicans

• stronger states’ rights

• pro-French

• supported ordinary farmers and citizens.

What were the first two U.S. political parties?

Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

Who led the Federalists?

Hamilton

Who led the Democratic-Republicans?

Jefferson

What did Federalists believe in?

Strong national government, industry, banking

What did Democratic-Republicans believe in?

Small government, agriculture, power to common people

How did political parties form in the 1790s?

Gradually (“by osmosis”) through voting patterns in Congress

How did each party view the other?

As dangerous and illegitimate

Who became president after Washington?

John Adams

What was the XYZ Affair?

French agents demanded bribes from U.S. diplomats

Why was the XYZ Affair important?

Caused outrage and anti-French sentiment

What did the Alien Acts do?

Made it easier to deport immigrants

Who were mainly targeted by the Alien Acts?

Irish immigrants

What did the Sedition Act do?

Made it illegal to criticize the government

Why were the Alien & Sedition Acts controversial?

Violated free speech and targeted political opponents

Who won the election of 1800?

Thomas Jefferson

Why is the election of 1800 significant?

First peaceful transfer of power between parties

What did Jefferson believe was the biggest threat to democracy?

Too much government power

What type of society did Jefferson idealize?

Agrarian (farmer-based) society

What did Jefferson do to shrink government?

Cut taxes, military, and government spending

What major laws did Jefferson repeal?

Alien & Sedition Acts

How did Hamilton view national debt?

Useful tool for economic growth

How did Jefferson view national debt?

Dangerous and should be eliminated

What was the Louisiana Purchase? 1803

U.S. bought massive land from France

How much did the U.S. pay?

About $15 million

What was the original goal before buying all the land?

Buy New Orleans / Mississippi River access

What was the major effect of the Louisiana Purchase?

Doubled the size of the United States

Why did France sell the land?

Problems in Haiti, war with Britain, needed money

Why was the Louisiana Purchase controversial?

Constitution did not explicitly allow land purchases

Why did Jefferson support westward expansion?

To maintain a nation of independent farmers

Did Jefferson’s farming vision succeed long-term?

No

How did the U.S. pay for the Louisiana Purchase?

Borrowed money from European banks

What does this reveal about the U.S. at the time?

It was not yet a global power

What is impressment?

Britain taking sailors from American ships

Why did Britain do this?

Needed sailors for its navy

Why were Americans angry about impressment?

Violated U.S. sovereignty

What did Jefferson’s Embargo Act do? 1807

Stopped all U.S. trade with foreign nations

What was the goal of the Embargo Act?

Pressure Britain peacefully

What was the result of the Embargo Act?

Hurt the U.S. economy

What was Jefferson’s greatest achievement?

Louisiana Purchase

What was Jefferson’s biggest failure in foreign policy?

Embargo Act

Why was cotton a limited crop in the South before the 1790s?

Cotton was difficult to process because removing the seeds by hand took too much time and labor, so it was not yet a massive profitable crop.

Who invented the cotton gin?

Eli Whitney.

What year did Eli Whitney invent the cotton gin?

1793

What did the cotton gin do?

It separated seeds from cotton much faster than hand labor, making cotton production far more profitable.

Why was the cotton gin so important to Southern history?

It made large-scale cotton production possible, which helped turn the South into a major cotton-producing region.

What was one major consequence of the rise of cotton culture in the South?

The spread of slavery.

Why the spread of cotton and the spread of slavery cannot be separated?

Because cotton became extremely profitable only if there was a large labor force to grow and pick it, and that labor force was enslaved people.

What broader historical process did cotton expansion encourage?

Westward and southern expansion into Native-controlled lands.

What tradition did Thomas Jefferson follow when he left office?

The tradition set by George Washington of serving only two terms.

Who was elected president in 1808?

James Madison.

What political party did Madison belong to in the lecture’s terms?

The Democrats, meaning the Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans.

How was James Madison connected to Thomas Jefferson?

He was a close political ally and continued Jefferson’s policies.

What kind of federal government did Madison support?

A small federal government with reduced spending.

What contradiction did the professor point out about Madison?

Madison reduced military spending while leading the country into war with Great Britain.

Who did the United States fight in the War of 1812?

Great Britain.

What issue made Americans angry at the British before the War of 1812?

The British stopped American ships and interfered with American shipping.

Why did Americans see British interference with ships as a major problem?

They believed it violated American sovereignty.

Why have historians struggled to explain the War of 1812?

Because the U.S. pushed toward war even when Britain had shown some willingness to discuss the conflict, making the decision seem irrational.

Why did many Democrats wanted war?

A desire for a heroic, manly, nation-defining struggle like the Revolutionary generation had experienced.

Where was much of the War of 1812 fought?

In the Ohio Valley, around Canada, and on the seas.

What happened in 1814 after Britain had finished fighting Napoleon?

Britain had more troops available to send to America.

What major event happened in Washington, D.C. in 1814?

The British marched on Washington and burned it.

Why were the British able to increase pressure on the United States in 1814?

Because the end of major fighting against Napoleon freed up British troops and resources.

What famous American song came out of the War of 1812 era?

“The Star-Spangled Banner.”

What point did the professor make about one of the lesser-known verses of “The Star-Spangled Banner”?

It reflects hostility toward escaped slaves who had joined the British side.

What group did the British allow to join their forces during their campaign in Maryland?

Escaped enslaved people.

Why did this anger many Southern whites?

Because they saw armed formerly enslaved people fighting with the British as a direct threat.