Early US Presidents and Key Events

Flashcards covering key events and policies of the presidencies of George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson.

George Washington

First President of the United States; served from 1789-1797.

Judiciary Act (1789)

Act that established the federal judiciary system.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

A protest against a tax on whiskey; suppressed by federal government.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

Declared the U.S. neutral in the conflict between France and Britain.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against the dangers of political parties and foreign alliances.

John Adams

Second President of the United States; served from 1797-1801.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Diplomatic incident where French officials demanded bribes from American diplomats.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Controversial laws that restricted immigration and limited free speech.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798)

Resolutions that argued states had the right to nullify federal laws.

Thomas Jefferson

Third President of the United States; served from 1801-1809.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Acquisition of a large territory from France, doubling the size of the United States.

Embargo Act (1807)

Law that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign ports.

George Washington

First President of the United States; served from 1789-1797.

Judiciary Act (1789)

Act that established the federal judiciary system.

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

A protest against a tax on whiskey; suppressed by federal government.

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

Declared the U.S. neutral in the conflict between France and Britain.

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned against the dangers of political parties and foreign alliances.

John Adams

Second President of the United States; served from 1797-1801.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Diplomatic incident where French officials demanded bribes from American diplomats.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Controversial laws that restricted immigration and limited free speech.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (1798)

Resolutions that argued states had the right to nullify federal laws.

Thomas Jefferson

Third President of the United States; served from 1801-1809.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Acquisition of a large territory from France, doubling the size of the United States.

Embargo Act (1807)

Law that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign ports.

James Madison (1809–1817)

Fourth President of the United States; served from 1809-1817; Party: Democratic-Republican; Goals/Policies: Protect American trade, expansion; Opposition: Federalists; Important Events: War of 1812 (1812–1815), Hartford Convention (1814), Treaty of Ghent (1814)

James Monroe (1817–1825)

Fifth President of the United States; served from 1817-1825; Party: Democratic-Republican; Goals/Policies: National unity (Era of Good Feelings), expansion; Opposition: Fading Federalist Party; Important Events: Monroe Doctrine (1823), Missouri Compromise (1820), Acquisition of Florida (1819)

John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)

Sixth President of the United States; served from 1825-1829; Party: Democratic-Republican (National Republican); Goals/Policies: Internal improvements, education, national development; Opposition: Andrew Jackson (Democratic Party); Important Events: “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824, Erie Canal completion (1825)

Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)

Seventh President of the United States; served from 1829-1837; Party: Democrat; Goals/Policies: Expand executive power, pro-states’ rights (but anti-nullification), anti-bank; Opposition: Whigs, Henry Clay; Important Events: Indian Removal Act (1830), Nullification Crisis (1832–33), Bank War (1832–36)