Unit 4.4 - 4.6

George Washington (1789 - 1797)

Citizen Genet Affair (1793 - 1794) - diplomatic crisis between the US and France which involved Edmond Charles Genet (French minister) who tried to involve theUS in France’s war w/ Great Britain

The Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) - statement issued by George Washington declaring the US’ neutrality in the war between France and Great Britain

Jay’s Treaty (1794) - signed by the US and Great Britain for Great Britain to evacuate the Northwest Territory, end discrimination against American commerce, and granting the US trading privileges in England and the British East Indies

The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) - uprising by farmers in western Pennsylvania against a federal tax on whiskey. Demonstrated that the new federal government could keep order unlike the previous Articles of Confederation

Washington‘S Farewell Address (1797) - Written at the end of his second term when he stepped down from Office giving two major warning to the American People: Avoid getting involved in foreign affairs and having Americans set aside their differences and work together rather than making political parties.

John Adam’s (1797 - 1801)

XYZ Affair (1797) - diplomatic incident between French and US diplomats that resulted in a limited undeclared war known as the Quasi-War.

The Alien Act (1798) - Gave president the power to deport non-citizens who were subjects of foreign enemies. Increased the residency requirement for citizenship from five to 14 years. Allowed the president to arrest, imprison, and deport “aliens” during wartime.

The Sedition Act (1798) - Made it illegal to publish “false, scandalous, and malicious writing” about the government and criticized the right to criticize the government , which is a core component of free speech and a free press.

Thomas Jefferson (1801 - 1809)

Marburg v. Madison (1803) - Supreme Court case that set up the path for Judicial Review and expanded the Judicial Branch

Louisiana Purchase (1803) - Doubled the size of America and removed European presence from the Nations boarders

First Barbary War (1803) - Barbary states ambushing American merchant ships. Jefferson tried to pay them to stop but they wanted too much. So Jefferson sent out US navy to protect and fight off the pirates. Showed the US’s navy power.

Embargo Act (1807) - Prohibited any American merchant ships from sailing to any foreign port. Act backfired and made it worse for US than for Britain

Revolution of 1800 (1800) - Considered a peaceful transfer of power between political parties, setting up the path for future years.

James Madison (1809 - 1817)

Nonintercourse Act of 1809 (1809) - All Americans can trade with all nations except Britain and France

War of 1812 (1812) -

Causes: Continued violation of US national rights at sea and troubles with the British on the western frontier(started attacking ships)

Key Events: British burned of Washington D.C

Effects/Impact (War’s Legacy): Gained respect from other nations, accepted Canada as part of the British empire, and Federalist Party ended.

The Hartford Convention (1814) - a secret meeting of Federalist delegates held to discuss whether or not a secession should happen.

James Monroe (1817 - 1825)

“The Era of Good Feelings” - a period of economic growth, political unity, and nationalism in the United States after the War of 1812.

Henry Clay’s The American System - Idea proposed to improve the American infrastructure and connect everyone

The Panic of 1819 (1819) - First major economic crisis caused by widespread bank failures , but mainly by excessive speculation in land post war of 1812

Acquisition of Florida - Adam’s Onis Treaty (1819) - Agreement between the US and Spain that ceded Florida to the US. Result of the Louisiana Purchase because of disagreement over boundaries

Missouri Compromise (1820) - Law that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Also prohibited slavery in most of the Louisiana Purchase

Monroe Doctrine (1823) - Foreign policy statement which warned European powers against further colonization min the Americas (Helped establish US as a global power)

John Quincy Adam’s (1825 - 1829)

1824 Election (Stolen Election/“Corrupt Bargain”) - First election chosen by the House of Representatives. President didn’t get the popular vote (131 votes). Ran against Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay, and William Crawford

The Erie Canal (1825) - Longest artificial water way. Connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, making New York the main sea port

Andrew Jackson (1829 - 1837)

Jacksonian Democracy & The Common Man - Political movement that exercised the rights of the “common man”. Expanded voting rights for the average working class white man.

Presidential Power (Use of Vetoes) - Expanded the executive branch’s power to keep a bill from becoming a law

Indian Removal Act (1830) - Had all Native Americans forcibly moved to West of the Mississippi River

Martin Van Buren (1837 - 1841)

Trail of Tears (Winter 1838 - 1839) - Oversaw the trail of tears (relocation of the Cherokee Nation which had to endure harsh cold temperatures and much death)

William Henry Harrison (1841)

Least days served as a president - Dying just 31 days into office, William Henry Harrison is the first president to die in office and the shortest term of any US President.

John Tyler (1841 - 1845)

Vice President of William Henry Harrison - Tyler became president after the sudden death of William Henry Harrison just weeks into his term, making Tyler the first vice president to assume the presidency due to a death.

“President Without a Party” - Although initially a member of the Whig Party, Tyler’s political views were more aligned with the Democratic Party, leading to significant disagreements with the Whig-controlled Congress, especially when he vetoed multiple bills aimed at establishing a new national bank. His nickname became a “president without a party”

James K. Polk (1845 - 1849)

Texas Statehood (1845) - Texas became a state after being independent since 1836. Tried to get annexed to the US but couldn’t because of slavery tensions since Texas was a slave state.

Wilmot Proviso (1846) - Unsuccessful proposal to ban slavery in territory got from Mexico in the Mexican - American War

Mexican War (1846 - 1848) - Caused by boarder disputes over Texas. Eleven Americans killed on April 26, 1846 which started the war

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) - Ended the war and gave states California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah to the US.