AHCWTP (Brinkley) - The Constitution and the New Republic (Chapter 6)

Fits into Unit 3 of APUSH. Based on 'American History: Connecting with the Past' by Alan Brinkley

How did Native Americans continuously adjust their alliances with European powers during the late eighteenth century (c.1780–1810)?

Native Americans rebalanced alliances—aligning with Britain post-Jay’s Treaty and Spain via Pinckney’s Treaty—to counter U.S. expansion. Earlier, groups like the Shawnee and Miami shifted between Britain, France, and Spain during conflicts such as the Northwest Indian War to preserve trade, land, and sovereignty.

How did European powers on U.S. borders force the new nation to safeguard its territory and defend its commercial interests (c.1780–1810)?

Facing British forts in the Northwest and Spanish control of the Mississippi, the U.S. secured sovereignty through Jay’s Treaty (1794) and Pinckney’s Treaty (1795), strengthened the navy during the Quasi-War, and used diplomacy and military readiness to protect western and maritime interests.

How did Enlightenment and republican ideas of self-government transform U.S. political thought with the Constitution’s ratification (c.1780–1810)?

Enlightenment ideals of reason and liberty inspired Madison’s Virginia Plan, Federalist Papers, and the Separation of Powers. Anti-Federalist resistance led to the Bill of Rights, embedding natural rights and popular sovereignty into the new federal republic.

How did dissatisfaction with the Articles of Confederation lead to the Constitution and a stronger central government (c.1780–1810)?

Weak taxation powers, lack of an executive, and uprisings like Shays’ Rebellion exposed flaws in the Articles. Reformers such as Madison and Hamilton designed a stronger system via the Virginia Plan, Great Compromise, and the Federalist System, ensuring taxation, commerce regulation, and balance of power.

How did the newly ratified Constitution divide power between the states and national government through federalism (c.1780–1810)?

Federalism balanced shared sovereignty—Congress handled taxation, defense, and commerce, while states retained local control. Checks and Balances and the Bill of Rights safeguarded liberty and state authority within a unified national framework.

What factors encouraged Western migration, and what were its consequences (c.1780–1810)?

Land hunger, postwar opportunity, and treaties like Pinckney’s Treaty opened the Mississippi and drove expansion. Consequences included displacement of Native nations, frontier unrest like the Whiskey Rebellion, and rising debates over slavery and federal control of new territories.

How did U.S. political parties develop, and how did their beliefs differ (c.1780–1810)?

Conflicts over Hamilton’s Financial Plan, the French Revolution, and foreign policy created parties: Federalists favored a strong central government, pro-British ties, and commerce; Democratic-Republicans supported states’ rights, agrarianism, and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

How did American trade policy, neutrality, and westward expansion cause conflict with European powers (c.1780–1810)?

The Neutrality Act, Jay’s Treaty, and trade with warring nations angered France, sparking the XYZ Affair and Quasi-War. Meanwhile, Spanish and British claims in the West and Atlantic tensions forced the U.S. to assert sovereignty through diplomacy and naval power.

How did Enlightenment ideas and republican principles of self-government manifest during and after the Constitution’s writing (c.1780–1810)?

Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, and popular sovereignty reflected Enlightenment rationalism. Civic virtue, public education, and citizen participation reinforced republican ideals in early national culture and policymaking.

How did the social and political consequences of the American Revolution shape national culture and identity (c.1780–1810)?

Revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality inspired civic nationalism, patriotic art, and a shared political identity. Debates over Federalism, the Bill of Rights, and Washington’s Farewell Address reinforced unity and the moral foundations of the new republic.\

Alexander Hamilton

First U.S. Treasury Secretary (1789–1795); Federalist leader; promoted strong central government, national bank, assumption of state debts, and industrial economy. Advocated excise taxes, tariffs, and a public credit system to build national credit.

Alien Acts

(1798) laws that allowed the president to deport or imprison non-citizens considered dangerous and extended the time required for immigrants to gain citizenship. Targeted immigrants, many of whom supported the Democratic-Republicans; Was rarely enforced but still used to weaken opposition to the Federalists. Sparked debates over federal power and individual rights. Passed around the same time as the Sedition Act.

Sedition Act

(1798) law that made it illegal to criticize the president or federal government. Aimed to silence Democratic-Republican newspapers and political opponents. Led to major controversy over free speech and inspired the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions defending states’ rights.

Antifederalists

Opposed 1787 Constitution; feared strong central government, demanded Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties and state authority. Leaders included Patrick Henry and George Mason. Their criticisms of the constitution led to the adoption of the Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments (1791) guaranteeing freedoms like speech, religion, press, assembly, trial rights, and limiting excessive federal power. Included protections against unreasonable searches, cruel punishments, and excessive bail.

Checks and Balances

Constitutional system giving legislative, executive, judicial branches authority to limit each other, preventing abuse of power. Including presidential veto, Senate treaty approval, judicial review.

Citizen Genet Affair

(1793) arrived in the U.S. to rally support for France’s wars against Britain and Spain. Tried recruiting privateers, violating U.S. neutrality. President Washington demanded his recall, reinforcing U.S. commitment to neutrality and independence in foreign affairs.

Federalists

Supported 1787 Constitution; advocated strong central government, commercial economy, pro-British foreign policy. Leaders included Hamilton, John Adams, Jay.

Federal structure (Federalism)

Division of authority between national and state governments, balancing sovereignty while ensuring unified governance. Powers divided into delegated (federal), reserved (state), and concurrent powers.

French Revolution

(1789–1799) uprising overthrowing monarchy; promoted liberty, equality, republican ideals. Polarized U.S. politics: Federalists opposed violence, Democratic-Republicans supported revolutionary principles.

Great Compromise

(1787) Constitutional agreement creating bicameral Congress: House based on population, Senate equal per state. Merged Virginia Plan (representation by population) and New Jersey Plan (equal representation).

Hamilton's Financial Plan

(1790–1791) Proposed assumption of state debts, creation of a national bank, and promotion of manufacturing through tariffs and excise taxes. Sought to strengthen federal authority and creditworthiness. Opposed by Jefferson and Madison, who saw it as unconstitutional and favoring the wealthy. Led to the creation of the first political parties.

James Madison

“Father of the Constitution,” 4th U.S. President (1809–1817); Federalist Papers author, Democratic-Republican leader. Advocated separation of powers, strong legislature, and later opposed Hamilton’s economic policies.

Jay's Treaty

(1794) treaty with Britain; avoided war, resolved debts, withdrawal of British troops from U.S. soil, allowed limited U.S. trade. Highly controversial; angered France and U.S. Democratic-Republicans.

John Adams

2nd U.S. President (1797–1801); Federalist, avoided war with France, passed Alien and Sedition Acts. Preserved neutrality but faced political backlash from Jeffersonians.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Federalist law expanding federal judges; “midnight appointments” controversy before Jefferson presidency. Seen as Federalist attempt to maintain influence after losing executive power.

Neutrality Act

(1794) law maintaining U.S. neutrality during European conflicts; limited foreign military involvement. Reinforced Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation.

New Jersey Plan

(1787) Constitutional proposal: equal representation per state in unicameral legislature. Favored small states; proposed plural executive and limited congressional powers.

Pinckney's Treaty

(1795) treaty with Spain granting U.S. Mississippi navigation, boundary access, and trade rights. Strengthened U.S. western expansion and economic development.

Quasi-War

(1798–1800) undeclared naval war between U.S. and France; caused by XYZ Affair. Led to strengthening of the U.S. Navy.

Democratic-Republicans

Political party led by Jefferson; grew from Anti-Federalist ideas. Favored states’ rights, agrarian economy, opposed strong central government. Advocated for strict interpretation of Constitution and limited federal power.

Revolution of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists (Adams) to Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson). Marked first democratic change of government in U.S. history, proving the Constitution’s stability. Jefferson’s victory shifted focus toward states’ rights, limited government, and agrarian ideals. Despite contested House vote, transition strengthened faith in republican democracy.

Separation of Powers

Division of government authority among legislative, executive, judicial branches to prevent abuse. Basis for U.S. Constitution; inspired by Montesquieu.

Sovereignty

Supreme authority of a state or people over its territory and government. Central concept in debates between federalists and states’ rights advocates.

The Federalist Papers

(1787–1788) essays by Hamilton, Madison, Jay defending Constitution and strong central government. Influential in ratification debates; explained need for checks, federal power, and union.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

(1798–1799) statements asserting states’ rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws. Written secretly by Jefferson and Madison in response to Alien and Sedition Acts.

Virginia Plan

(1787) Proposal favoring representation by population in legislature with two houses and three branches with representation in both houses based on state population. Supported by large states, opposed by smaller states; laid foundation for House of Representatives. Gave Congress broad powers to make laws and veto state legislation, aiming to replace Articles of Confederation.

Washington's Farewell Address

(1796) speech warning against foreign alliances, political factions, and sectionalism. Advocated unity, neutrality, and national morality.

Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation

Absence of central authority, Congress had no power to levy taxes, regulate commerce, or maintain a standing army; no standard currency, leading to economic instability and Shay’s Rebellion.

Whiskey Rebellion

(1794) protest against federal excise tax unfair to small producers; suppressed by Washington, asserting federal authority. Demonstrated federal government’s strength and ability to enforce laws under Constitution.

XYZ Affair

(1797–1798) French diplomatic scandal; U.S. envoys bribed, sparking quasi-war with France. Inflamed anti-French sentiment and strengthened Federalist Party.