AP US History Period 3 Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering early U.S. government, constitutional creation, political parties, and foreign relations during Period 3 (1754-1800).

George Washington

The first president of the United States, elected in 1788, who appointed Revolutionary leaders to his cabinet and warned the nation against political parties in his farewell address.

Thomas Jefferson

Secretary of State under Washington who advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, imposed a trade embargo on independent Haiti, and termed his election in 1800 the 'Revolution of 1800'.

Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of the Treasury under Washington who favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution and devised a financial plan including state debt assumption, a National Bank, tariffs, and a whiskey tax.

Bill of Rights (1791)

Constitutional amendments written by James Madison to safeguard fundamental personal rights and balance authority between national and state governments.

Federalism

The balance of authority between national and state governments.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

A protest by Pennsylvania farmers against Hamilton's excise tax on alcohol, during which protesters assailed tax collectors while waving flags with the French slogan 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!'.

Jay's Treaty (1793)

An agreement with Britain that conceded maritime supervision to the British in exchange for the removal of British troops and Indian agents from the Northwest Territory.

Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)

The first successful slave uprising, led by Black Haitians, which inspired fear among southern slaveholders and prompted an American trade embargo.

Democratic-Republicans

A political party formed by supporters of Madison and Jefferson, primarily consisting of western and southern landowning farmers and immigrants who were pro-French and favored state power.

Federalists (Political Party)

A political party supported mainly by eastern businessmen who were pro-British, advocated for a strong central government, and elected John Adams as second president in 1796.

Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts

Laws enacted under President John Adams intended to silence political opposition to the Federalists.

Revolution of 1800

Thomas Jefferson's term for his presidential election victory in 1800, which marked the first peaceful transition of power between political parties in the U.S.

Abigail Adams

Advocate for women's rights who urged leaders to 'Remember the ladies' to end oppressive laws preventing women from owning property, arranging contracts, and initiating lawsuits.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

A law organizing land northwest of the old Proclamation Line that created a path to statehood, earmarked funds for public education, and banned slavery in the region.

Shays' Rebellion

An uprising led by former Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays and Massachusetts farmers protesting high taxes and property seizures, exposing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

The original U.S. governing document characterized by a weak central government that favored state power and lacked both an executive and a judiciary branch.

Virginia Plan

A constitutional proposal for a bicameral legislature with representation based on population, favoring a strong national government whose laws superseded state laws.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal favoring smaller states that called for equal representation for each state in Congress.

Great Compromise

An agreement combining the Virginia and New Jersey plans into a bicameral legislature with a lower house based on population and an upper house with two senators per state.

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise negotiated to appease Southern states by counting 60% of slaves toward population totals for representation in Congress.

Federalists (Ratification)

Supporters of the Constitution's ratification who favored a strong central government run by educated elites.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the Constitution's ratification who feared a strong central government led by wealthy elites, criticized the lack of a bill of rights, and were mostly based in the backcountry.

Federalist Papers

A collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton to promote Constitution ratification and argue that centralized power would preserve republican ideals.