APUSH American Pageant Chapter 10 AMSCO Unit #3B

Bill of Rights (1791)

meant to safeguard the most precious American principles with James Madison's first 10 amendments to the constitution

Judiciary Act of 1789

created effective federal courts, including the Supreme Court (chief justice and five associates), federal district/circuit courts, and the attorney general

Alexander Hamilton

created his economic plan which included funding at par, assumption (Congress assumed all state debts to attach state creditors to the federal government), tariffs, the excise tax, and the BUS

"funding at par"

the federal government would pay back its debts (including bonds) at face value (including interest)

tariffs

taxes on foreign trade; Congress only made 2 slight increases during Hamilton's time on the existing tariff of 8%

excise tax (whiskey)

in 1791 it was a tax on a few domestic items (including whiskey) that was borne by backcountry distillers

Bank of the United States

BUS; a powerful private institution that used federal funds to stimulate business and infant industries; made a national currency

Jefferson's position (10th amendment)

all powers not specifically granted to the federal government belonged to the states

"strict" interpretation

Jefferson's view

Hamilton's position (10th amendment) ("elastic clause" I,8,18)

the federal government may make necessary things happen and since they had the right to coin money, a national bank was reasonable

"loose" interpretation

Hamilton's view using the "elastic clause"

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

the people of western Pennsylvania viewed the excise tax as a burden on economic necessity; the rebellion that followed was quickly squashed by 10,000 federal troops

Federalist Party

led by Hamilton; favored the constitution and a strong central government

Democratic-Republican Party

led by Jefferson; favored a weak central government that strictly followed the constitution

French Revolution (1789)

the Federalists were worried about the violent death and the attacks on the church; D-Rs supported it

Neutrality Proclamation (1793)

Washington didn't want war, so he declared that the US was neutral in the war between Britain and France; D-Rs were mad that they didn't side with France; America was more useful to France as neutral

Jay's Treaty (1794) with Britain

to avert war, John Jay promised to pay back American debt and the British promised to pay for the damages on the ships and to withdraw from American soil (previously promised)

Pinckney's Treaty (1795) with Spain

after the American-British treaty, Spain granted America free navigation of the Mississippi River and the territory north of Florida

Washington's traditions

oath of office; the cabinet; peaceful transition of power; neutrality

Washington's Farewell Address

mainly told future governors to avoid permanent alliances in favor of temporary treaties while they were a new country

John Adams vs. Jefferson (1796)

they both ran for president, Adams on Hamilton's behalf though they hated eachother; Jefferson became vice president

XYZ Affair (1797)

Adams sent officials to France for diplomacy as the new nation had to avoid war; this affair had 3 French officials preventing the diplomats from talking (32 million florins; 250,000 to talk)

Napoleon/Convention of 1800

this convention allowed the US to have free trade; later, their good relations led to the Louisiana purchase

Alien Laws (1798)

put in place by the Federalist Congress to raise the residence requirement from 5 to 14 years

Sedition Act (1798)

put in place by the Federalist Congress to have anyone who falsely defamed officials face fines or prison

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison wrote these resolutions that followed the compact theory

"compact" theory

the idea that the states were the judges if the federal government overstepped their granted authority

Hamiltonian Federalists

ruled by "best people"; no extension of democracy; powerful central government; loose interpretation; foster business; protective tariff; pro-British; pro national debt; bureaucracy; powerful central bank; restrict free speech/free press; mostly in seacoast areas; large navy to protect shippers

Jeffersonian Democratic-Republicans

ruled by informed masses; extension of democracy; weak central government; strict interpretation; foster agriculture; pro-French; against national debt; less federal officeholders; state banks; more free speech/free press; mostly in south/southwest areas; small navy for coastal defense