A New Nation Vocabulary

Definitions Chart

Key Terms Related to American History

  • Bonds

    • Definition: Certificates of debt that carry a promise to buy back the bonds at a higher price.

  • French Revolution

    • Definition: A rebellion of French people against their king in the year 1789.

  • Neutrality

    • Definition: The Proclamation stating that the United States would not take sides with any European countries that were at war.

  • Whiskey Rebellion

    • Definition: An uprising where farmers lashed out against the tax on whiskey, which is made from corn.

  • Federalist Party

    • Definition: A political faction that wanted a strong federal government and supported industry and trade.

  • Democratic-Republican Party

    • Definition: This party's members, called Republicans, wanted to limit the federal government’s power.

  • Alien and Sedition Acts

    • Definition: Laws passed by a Federalist-dominated Congress claimed to protect the United States from anti-government opinions and actions while inhibiting new immigrants’ voices in government.

  • Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

    • Definition: Republican documents that argued the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.

  • Monroe Doctrine

    • Definition: An exclusive statement of American policy warning European powers not to interfere with the Americas.

  • Louisiana Purchase

    • Definition: In 1803, the Senate approved the agreement of the Louisiana Purchase, which roughly doubled the size of the United States.

  • Impressment

    • Definition: The practice of forcing people to serve in the army or navy.

  • Embargo

    • Definition: The act of banning trade.

  • Non-Intercourse Act

    • Definition: This new law banned trade only with Britain, France, and their colonies.

  • War Hawks

    • Definition: A group of young members of Congress who were called War Hawks by their opponents; they took the lead in calling for war against Britain.

  • War of 1812

    • Definition: A conflict between Great Britain and the United States, often referred to as the second war of independence.

  • Simon Bolivar

    • Definition: A revolutionary fighter known as the Liberator, who led many struggles for independence throughout Latin America.

  • Judicial Review

    • Definition: The power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional.

  • Marbury v. Madison

    • Definition: A landmark case that helped establish the Supreme Court’s power to check the power of the other branches of government.

  • Political Parties

    • Definition: Groups that share and promote policy ideas on how the government should operate.

  • Bank of the United States

    • Definition: The country’s first national bank, which stored taxes and could make loans to states.

  • Loose vs. Strict Interpretation of Constitution

    • Definition: Loose construction means that the federal government can take reasonable actions that the Constitution does not specifically forbid. Conversely, strict constructionists believe that the federal government should only do that which the Constitution specifically allows.