Unit 3.1-3.2: A New Nation/The Early Republic

Articles of Confederation

The first form of government for the U.S., approved in 1777 and ratified in 1781; a loose alliance of states. Created a weak central government with most power reserved for the states. Could not collect taxes, regulate interstate trade, regulate currency, etc.

Northwest Ordinances of 1785 and 1787

Plotted the land in the "Northwest Territory" that makes up Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. Banned slavery in these territories. Set the stage for westward expansion. One of the major accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation.

Republican Motherhood

The idea that American women had a special responsibility to cultivate "civic virtue" in their children and educate future American citizens.

Shays' Rebellion

Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting debt/tax collection. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.

Constituional Convention

The convention in Philadelphia in 1787 that debated and agreed upon the Constitution of the United States to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Great Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention to create a bicameral legislature (Congress); with the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal representation of the states.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement at the Constitutional Convention that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes.

Slavery and the Constitution

The Atlantic Slave Trade could be outlawed 20 years after the ratification of the Constitution, but there was no mention of slavery itself, thus allowing slavery to continue.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution. Included Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison. Argued a strong central government was necessary.

Anti-Federalists

Those who opposed the Constitution. Included Samuel Adams nd Patrick Henry. Feared a strong central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution and the strongest argument by the Anti-Federalists to oppose the Constitution unless it was included.

Popular Sovereignty

Constitutional principle. The ultimate power resides in the people; the Constitution begins "We the People."

Separation of Powers

Constitutional principle. Division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to avoid a concentration of power in one branch.

Limited Government

Constitutional principle. A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Federalism

Constitutional principle. A system in which power is shared between the national and state governments

Checks and Balances

Constitutional principle. A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Representative Government

Constitutional principles. Laws are made by officials selected by the voters and held accountable in periodic elections.

Hamilton's Financial Plan

Pay off all war debts, assume state debts, create a whiskey tax to raise revenue, establish a national bank.

Compromise of 1790

Bargain between Jefferson and Hamilton. Jefferson was to receive the national capital on the Potomac River (Washington, D.C.); and Hamilton's Financial Plan would pass through Congress.

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, attacking tax collectors. Washington responded firmly and put down the rebellion with 13,000 troops, indicating the strength of the new government under the Constitution.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

Decisive battle between the Miami confederacy and the U.S. Army. The Miami, led by Little Turtle, were defeated by American forces, led by Anthony Wayne. Would lead to the Treaty of Greenville.

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

Drawn up after the Battle of Fallen Timbers. It ended the Northwest Indian War and Native Americans in the region relinquished much land in Ohio and Indiana.

Jay's Treaty (1794)

It was signed in the hopes of settling the growing conflicts between the U.S. and Britain by negotiating the withdrawal of British Troops in the West and created a trade agreements with Britain. It was particularly unpopular with France. Favored by Hamiltonians.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

This treaty between the U.S. and Spain which gave the U.S. the right to transport goods on the Mississippi River. Favored by Jeffersonians who wanted the land to spread farming.

Washington's Farewell Address (1796)

Warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances, not to form political parties, and to avoid sectionalism.

Federalist Party

Led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Favored a strong central government, a relationship with Britain, and fostering an urban, industrial America.

Democratic-Republican Party

Led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Favored a limited government, a relationship with France, and Republican agrarianism (country of farmers).

John Adams

Second president and the only of the Federalist Party. His administration primarily dealt with conflict with France.

XYZ Affair (1797)

Incident that precipitated an undeclared war with France when three French officials demanded that American emissaries pay a bribe before negotiating disputes between the two countries.

Led to the Quasi-War with France.

Quasi War (1798-1800)

Undeclared war fought at sea between the United States and France from 1798 to 1800. The French began to seize American ships trading with the British.

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Passed by Federalists, signed by President Adams; increased waiting period for an immigrant to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years, empowered president to arrest and deport "dangerous" aliens, & made it illegal to publish defamatory statements about the federal government or its officials.

Revolution of 1800

A nickname for the Election of 1800 in which Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams, ushering in an era of Democratic-Republican dominance in national politics.

Jeffersonian Democracy

Jefferson's views of supporting a limited government, strict constructionist view of the Constitution, and Republican agrarianism.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case that established the principle of "judicial review"—the idea that the Supreme Court had the final authority to determine constitutionality.

Judicial Review

Allows the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws. It was established in the case Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, doubling the size of the U.S. Jefferson viewed it as important land for the purposes of Republican agrarianism.

Tecumseh

A Shawnee chief who, worked to unite the Northwestern Indian tribes. The league of tribes was defeated by an American army led by William Henry Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. He was killed fighting for the British during the War of 1812 at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.

Treaty of Fort Wayne (1809)

Agreement between Natives and Americans for 3 million acres of land in present-day Indiana and Illinois. The treaty was fiercely resisted by Tecumseh.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

U.S. forces - led by William Henry Harrison - defeated Tecumseh's confederacy then burned its headquarters at Prophetstown.

Tecumseh would then ally with the British during the War of 1812.

Impressment

British practice of taking American sailors and forcing them into military service in the lead-up to the War of 1812.

War Hawks

Southerners and Westerners who were eager for war with Britain in 1812. They had a strong sense of nationalism, and they wanted to takeover British land in North America and expand.

War of 1812

A war (1812-1815) between the United States and Britain. Immediate cause was impressment of American sailors by the British Navy.

Burning of Washington D.C.

In 1814--during the War of 1812--British forces occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Ended the War of 1812. Little was resolved, though the British did agree to evacuate Western posts.

Hartford Convention (1814-1815)

Event at which New England Federalists met to discuss their grievances concerning the ongoing War of 1812. The Federalists would be seen as unpatriotic and ultimately led to the collapse of the Federalist Party.

Era of Good Feelings

A name for President Monroe's two terms, a period of strong nationalism, economic growth, and territorial expansion. Since the Federalist party dissolved after the War of 1812, there was only one political party and no partisan conflicts.

American System

Economic program supported by Madison and Monroe that included support for a national bank, high tariffs, and internal improvements; emphasized strong role for federal government in the economy. Even though Madison and Monroe were Democratic-Republicans, they favored policies these policies, which were Federalist.

Adams-Onis Treaty

Agreement in which the U.S. acquired Florida from Spain.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

US foreign policy in which the U.S. declared Europe was not to interfere in the Americas.

Missouri Compromise of 1820

Allowed Missouri to enter the union as a slave state, Maine to enter the union as a free state, prohibited slavery north of latitude 36˚ 30'.