U.S. Presidents, Policies, and Key Events: Washington to Jackson

1st President

G Dubs

Washington Pre-Presidency

Born in Virginia, Military leader during French and Indian War and Revolutionary War, Commander-in-chief of Continental Army, Unanimously elected 1st President in 1789

Washington's Domestic Policies

Created first Cabinet (Jefferson, Hamilton, etc), Supported the creation of the National Bank, Quickly squashed the Whiskey Rebellion proving strength of federal government, Focused on building national unity

Washington's Foreign Policy

Declared neutrality in foreign conflicts (especially Britain vs. France), Signed Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain to avoid war, Signed Pinckney's Treaty (1795) with Spain, opening Mississippi River trade, Avoided permanent alliances

His Legacy

Called the "Father of His Country", Set the precedent of a peaceful transfer of power, Warned against: Political parties dividing nation, Entangling foreign alliances, Died December 14, 1799, remembered as a unifying leader

Adams Administration

Adams served as GW's VP

XYZ Affair

French demanded a bribe in order for US to talk to their foreign minister

Alien and Sedition Acts

Alien Act- non-citizens who were considered 'dangerous' could be kicked out by the President, made naturalization and citizenship harder; Sedition Act- could be imprisoned or deported if you criticized the government

Political Parties

Wait didn't G Dubs warn us against this....

Anti-federalists

Supported by rural farmers and local politicians, they argued too much power was given to the federal government and worried individual rights could be threatened.

Federalists

Supported the Constitution and believed a strong central government was needed for economic stability.

Bill of Rights

Addition to the Constitution that preserved individual rights.

10th Amendment

Preserves state powers.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the Declaration of Independence, Governor of Virginia, and First Secretary of State.

Louisiana Purchase

Acquisition of territory in 1803 that doubled the size of the United States.

Embargo Act of 1807

Banned American trade with foreign nations, devastating the American economy.

James Madison

Father of the Constitution, wrote the Federalist Papers, and drafted the Bill of Rights.

War of 1812

Conflict caused by British interference with American trade and ships.

Treaty of Ghent

Ended the War of 1812 without a clear winner but restored peace.

Missouri Compromise

Allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining the balance between slave and free states.

Monroe Doctrine

1823 policy warning European powers not to interfere in the Americas.

John Quincy Adams

Son of John Adams, controversial election winner, and promoter of national projects like roads and canals.

Andrew Jackson

Known as 'Old Hickory,' he was the 'common man's president' who expanded voting rights.

Spoils System

Government jobs given to political supporters and friends rather than based on merit.

Indian Removal Act

Legislation that led to the Trail of Tears.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who wanted to fight in the War of 1812.

Battle of Fort McHenry

Key event in the War of 1812 that inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner.

Andrew Jackson's Legacy

Expanded democracy and voting rights while enforcing controversial policies like the Indian Removal Act.

Strengthened American democracy

Madison's legacy included advancements in religious freedom and separation of church and state.

Era of Good Feelings

Period of national unity following the War of 1812.

Alien Act

Non-citizens who were considered 'dangerous' could be kicked out by the President, made naturalization and citizenship harder.

Sedition Act

Could be imprisoned or deported if you criticized the government.

First Barbary War

Fought against pirates.

Lewis and Clark

Explorers who mapped the newly acquired Louisiana Territory.

Established US Military Academy

Created an institution for military training.

George Washington's Farewell Address

Warns against permanent alliances and forming political parties.

Lewis and Clark expeditions

Arranged by President Thomas Jefferson.

G Dubs

Unanimously elected president.

James Monroe

President during the era of good feelings.

Jay's Treaty

Signed to avoid war with Britain.

Marbury v Madison

Established the principle of judicial review.

John Q Adams

Won the corrupt bargain election of 1824.

Battle of New Orleans

Battle that made Andrew Jackson famous.

John Marshall

First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

J Mad

President during the War of 1812.

Warhawks

Congressmen who wanted the US to go to war.

Alexander Hamilton

Cabinet member in support of the creation of a national bank.

DC

City burned by the British in the War of 1812.

John Adams

Only one of the first four Presidents to serve a single term.

Neutrality

Describes the US policy to stay out of wars.

Gibbons v Ogden

Supreme Court case that ruled Congress had power over interstate commerce.

Tariffs

Taxes on goods imported to the United States.

Ware v Hylton

Supreme Court case that ruled treaties take precedence over state law.

Cabinet

Term referring to the President's chief advisors.

Nullification

Term referring to states' rights to void any act of Congress deemed unconstitutional.

1st Amendment

Protects freedom of speech.

Pinckney's Treaty

Allowed the US to trade in the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico with Spain.

Sectionalism

Term referring to placing interests of one region over those of the nation as a whole.

American System

Promoted the creation of national projects like roads and canals.

McCulloch v Maryland

Supreme Court ruling that Maryland could not tax the national bank.

France

Country the US engaged in naval conflicts with after the XYZ Affair.

Sedition Acts

Made it illegal to criticize the government.

Antifederalists

Political group that argued too much power was given to the federal government.

Fletcher v Peck

Supreme Court case about contracts that said the Supreme Court can declare state laws unconstitutional.

Embargo Act

Banned American trade with foreign nations, devastating the American economy.