1790s (Topic 3)

Federalist Era (Political Development, 1789–1801)

Period of strong federal government under early leaders, shaping U.S. political and economic systems.

Alexander Hamilton (Key Person, 1790s)

Federalist leader who created national bank, promoted industry, and strong central government.

George Washington (Key Person, 1789–1797)

First president who set precedents and maintained national unity.

John Adams (Key Person, 1797–1801)

Second president who faced foreign tensions and passed controversial laws.

Bill of Rights (Political Development, 1791)

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties and limiting government power.

“Loose v. strict interpretation” (Political Development, 1790s)

Debate over Constitution; loose allowed flexibility, strict limited federal power.

Democratic-Republican Party (Political Development, 1790s)

Party favoring states’ rights, agriculture, and strict interpretation.

Federalist Party (Political Development, 1790s)

Party supporting strong central government, industry, and loose interpretation.

Whiskey Rebellion (Political Development, 1794)

Farmers protested whiskey tax; government suppressed rebellion, showing federal strength.

Neutrality Proclamation of 1793 (Political Development, 1793)

Declared U.S. neutral in European wars to avoid conflict.

Jay’s Treaty (Political Development, 1794)

Agreement with Britain avoiding war but angering many Americans.

Washington Farewell Address (Political Development, 1796)

Warned against political parties and foreign alliances.

Impressment (Political Development, 1790s–early 1800s)

British practice of forcing American sailors into navy, causing tensions.

Alien and Sedition Acts (Political Development, 1798)

Laws limiting immigrants and free speech, targeting government critics.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions (Political Development, 1798–1799)

Argued states could nullify unconstitutional federal laws.

Republican Motherhood (Social Development, 1790–1840)

Belief women should raise virtuous, educated citizens for republic.

Treaty of Greenville 1795 (Political Development, 1795)

Gave U.S. control of Ohio Valley after Native defeat.

The Age of Reason (Social Development, 1700s–early 1800s)

Enlightenment period emphasizing logic, science, and human reasoning.

Deism (Social Development, 1700s)

Belief in God based on reason, rejecting organized religion and revelation.

Cult of Domesticity (Social Development, 1790–1840)

Ideology placing women in home as moral guardians of family.

Federal government granted all powers limited by A.O.C. (Political Development, 1787–1790s)

Constitution strengthened federal authority compared to weak Articles system.

B.U.S. (Economic Development, 1791)

National bank stabilizing currency and managing federal finances.

“Assumption” (Economic Development, 1790)

Federal government took on state debts to strengthen national credit.

Pinckney’s Treaty (Political Development, 1795)

Agreement with Spain granting U.S. Mississippi River access and trade rights.

Market Revolution (Economic Development, 1790–1860)

Expansion of transportation and industry transforming U.S. economy.

Cotton Gin (Economic Development, 1793)

Eli Whitney’s invention increasing cotton production and expanding slavery.