APUSH Unit 5: Testing Out the New Nation (1789-1816)

Who were the leaders of the Federalist Party?

The leaders of the Federalist Party included prominent figures such as Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, and George Washington, who advocated for a strong national government and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.

What was Hamiltons Financial Plan?

Hamilton's Financial Plan aimed to stabilize the American economy through federal assumption of state debts, the establishment of a national bank, and the promotion of tariffs and excise taxes.

What was Hamiltons Report on Manufacturing, 1789?

One of his proposals was placing tariffs on imports. The second proposal was a tax to be paid by distillers of alcoholic liquors, mainly whiskey distillers from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. 

Who established the First National Bank and when was it established?

The First National Bank was established by Alexander Hamilton in 1791 as part of his financial plan to stabilize the economy.

What was the first National Bank?

The First National bank managed debts and issue currency, and became very popular with the wealthy class.

What flaws did the First National Bank have?

Although the Bank of the United States was beneficial for the wealthy class of the country, many distillers felt and knew that both the bank and the taxes did not benefit nor help the general population of the country. This negative sentiment led to political opposition. 

What was the Whiskey Rebellion?

The Whiskey Rebellion was a revolt in Western Pennsylvania that started in 1791 and became an armed insurrection in 1794. The rebels were upset over a tax Congress placed on whiskey

What positive outcome for the country came out of the Whiskey Rebellion?

The American government dealt with the whiskey rebellion with very quick action after having gone through many other revolutions like Shays Rebellion. This intimidation tactic was able to stop the whiskey rebellion and any others who opposed the government. It also led to the thirteen original colonies joining the Union.

Were Native Americans included in the constitution?

The constitution nor the government acknowledged them as neither foreign nations nor part of the country. 

Who was Citizen Genet?

 Edmond Genet was a diplomatic representative of France. He ignored both Washington policies and constantly violated the Neutrality Act. This created resentment from George Washington towards Genet. He was granted political asylum after his political party ceased to exist in France. 

What was the Proclamation of Neutrality?

a formal announcement issued by U.S. President George Washington on April 22, 1793, that declared the nation neutral in the conflict between revolutionary France and Great Britain.

What was Jay’s Treaty?

Jay’s Treaty was negotiated in 1794 and was able to settle the conflict with Britain and it established both America's sovereignty over the Northwest and a commercial relationship between Great Britain and America. 

What was Pickney’s treaty?

 Because of Pickney’s treaty the Spanish acknowledged the rights that Americans had to navigate the Mississippi River, deposit goods in New Orleans, and required the Spanish to prevent the Native Americans of Florida from raiding across the border. 

What were the Lessons in Washingtons Farewell Address?

The address emphasized the importance of unity, warned against political parties, and cautioned against entangling alliances with foreign nations.

What was the XYZ Affair?

The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident between French and United States diplomats that resulted in a limited, undeclared war known as the Quasi-War. U.S.

What was the Alien Act?

• -Increased the years necessary for naturalized citizens 

• -It took five years to become a naturalized citizen, the Federalists increased it to 14 years 

• -These acts were trying to prevent French immigrants from becoming American citizens because they tended to vote democratic-republica

What were the two main causes for the two-party system?

The National Bank and the French Revolution

What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

• -The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions stated that the Constitution gave Congress certain powers

• - They felt that when Congress passes a law that transcends those powers (overstepping the powers) 

• -They said any state could then vote to nullify a law (decide when they want to follow national laws) 

What was the Sedition Act?

• -Prohibited combination or conspiracy against the United States government and the publication of “scandalous and malicious” writings against the government or its officials under penalty of fine or imprisonment

• -The Sedition Act limited the freedom of the press (guaranteed by the First Amendment), seemingly violating the Constitution

Who created the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and why were they created?

The Sedition act infringed on the civil liberties of the people, Madison and Jefferson go ballistic over this. They acted impulsively and went to the Virginia legislatures and wrote a resolution for a law (did not get passed) but they set a very dangerous precedent. 

What happened in the Election of 1800?

Thomas Jefferson won the election of 1800 after he was tied with Aaron Burr.  Federalists and Republicans publicly displayed their disdain for the opposing political party. 

What was the Judiciary Act of 1801?

The Judiciary Act of 1801 allowed the Federalists to reduce the Supreme Court judgeships by one and increase the Federal judgeships.  

What was Marbury Vs. Madison?

 The case of Marbury vs. Madison took place in 1803. William Marbury was one of John Adams’ midnight appointments, but his position had not been mailed to him before John Adams left office. Once the new president James Madison took office, he refused to give a commission to Marbury. This led Marbury to appeal to the Supreme Court. 

What did the Case of Marbury Vs. Madison prove about the US government?

The case of Marbury vs Madison conveyed how the American government could sometimes be unorganized. This also showed how people in positions of power were able to violate their power.

Who was John Marshall?

John Marshall was a federalist and the chief justice of the United States. He was the person who decided not to deliver the commission to Marbury and was appointed chief justice by John Adams just before he left office.

who was Toussaint L’Ouverture?

Toussaint L’Ouverture was the leader of the Africans in Santo Domingo. He was the leader of a rebellion of Africans in French territory. John Adams supported Toussaint L’Ouverture and his rebellion, but he cut off support because he feared that the rebellion would spread to the United States and cause enslaved people to rise against slavery.

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

The Louisiana Purchase happened because James Monroe and Robert Livingston were sent to Paris by Thomas Jefferson. They decided to make the treaty with Napoleon because they were afraid that he was going to back out, even though they did not have governmental permission. The agreement was signed on April 30th, 1803. 

What was British Impressment?

The British Navy had terrible living conditions and was known as a “floating hell” to many of the soldiers. Many of the soldiers were impressed, which means that they were forced to work in the Navy. This is why they escaped whenever they had the opportunity and joined the American Navy. Because of this, the British Navy began to check American vessels to reimpress many deserters. 

What was the Embargo Act of 1807?

Embargo Act, Legislation by the U.S. Congress in December 1807 that closed U.S. ports to all exports and restricted imports from Britain. The act was Pres. Thomas Jefferson's response to British and French interference with neutral U.S. merchant ships during the Napoleonic Wars.

What was the Non Intercourse Act?

The Non-Intercourse Act was meant to replace the Embargo. It reopened trade with other nations except France and Great Britain

What was the Battle of Tippecanoe?

The Battle of Tippecanoe took place on November 7th, 1811. Both sides suffered terrible losses. Despite this, the Native Americans continued to raid and scare the white settlers in 1812. 

Who were the War Hawks?

The War Hawks were a group of representatives who wanted war with Britain. Henry Clay from Kentucky and John C. Calhoun from South Carolina became two important figures of the War Hawks. They were in support of the conquest of Canada and played a big role in national politics. 

What was the Battle of New Orleans?

Andrew Jackson had an army consisting of Creoles, people from Kentucky and Tennessee, black people, and pirates. They won their victory against the British after they had finally surrendered in 1815. 

What was the Hartford Convention?

The Hartford Convention took place in Hartford Connecticut on December 15th, 1814. There, some delegates were in favor of secession.  They wanted to protect New England from Southern and Western influences by proposing seven amendments.

Why was the Hartford Convention bad for the Federalists?

Word soon reached the delegates about the victory from the Battle of New Orleans and landed a fatal blow to the Federalists because their proposals and the Hartford Convention became futile and treasonable in the eyes of others.

What was the Treaty of Ghent?

The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve of 1814. It occurred after the negotiations between America and Britain where America renounced its demand of British renunciation of impressment and because Britain renounced their demand of a Native American buffer state. 

What was the War of 1812?

The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815. The war was sparked by a variety of issues, including British interference with American trade and the impressment of American sailors by the British Navy.

What was the Quasi War with France?

The Quasi War was an undeclared naval war between the United States and France during the Presidency of John Adams. It grew out of the XYZ Affair and ended when French politics changed direction after Napoleon came into power and the two nations signed the Treaty of Mortefontaine.