Ch 07 Flashcards
electoral college
a group of people selected from each of the states to cast votes in presidential elections
Martha Washington
Wife of George Washington, she was the first First Lady
precedent
an action or decision that later serves as an example
Judiciary Act of 1789
legislation passed by Congress that created the federal court system
Alexander Hamilton
American stateman and member of the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, he was an author of the Federalist Papers, which supported ratification of the Constitution. He was the first secretary of treasury under George Washington and developed the Bank of the United States
bond
a certificate that represents money the government has borrowed from private citizens
national debt
the total amount of money owed by a country to its lenders
speculator
an investor who buys items at low prices in hope that their values will rise
Benjamin Banneker
African American architect and city planner, he helped design the city of Washington, D.C. after the site was chosen by George Washington
Bank of the United States
A national bank chartered by Congress in 1791 to provide security for the U.S. economy
loose construction
a way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take actions that the Constitution does not specifically forbid it from taking
strict construction
a way of interpreting the Constiution that allows the federal government to take only those actions the Constitution specifically says it can take
French Revolution
French rebellion that began in 1789 in which the French people overthrew the monarchy and made their country a republic
Neutrality Proclamation
a statement made by President George Washington that the United States would not side with any of the nations at war in Europe following the French Revolution
privateer
a private ship authorized by a nation to attack its enemies
Jay’s Treaty
An agreement negotiated by John Jay to work out problems between Britain and the United States over northwestern lands, British seizure of U.S. ships, and U.S. debts owed to the British
Pinckney’s Treaty
an agreement between the United States and Spain that changed Florida’s border and made it easier for American ships to use the port of New Orleans
Little Turtle
Miami chief who led a Native American alliance that raided settlements in the Northwest Territory, he was defeated and forced to sign the Treaty of Greenville, and he later became an advocate for peace
Battle of Fallen Timbers
A battle between U.S. troops and an American Indian confederation that ended Indian efforts to halt white settlement in the Northwest Territory
Treaty of Greenville
An agreement between Native American confederation leaders and the U.S. government that gave the United States Indian lands in the Northwest Territory and guaranteed that U.S. citizens could safely travel through the region
Whiskey Rebellion
a protest of small farmers in Pennsylvania against new taxes on whiskey
Democratic-Republican Party
a political party founded in the 1790s by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and other leaders who wanted to preserve the power of the state governments and promote agriculture
Federalist Party
A political party created in the 1790s and influenced by Alexander Hamilton that wanted to strengthen the federal government and promote industry and trade
political party
a group of people who organize to help elect government officials and influence government policies
XYZ affair
an incident in which French agents attempted to get a bribe and loans from U.S. diplomates in exchange for an agreement that French privateers would no longer attack American ships; it led to an undeclared naval war between the two countries
Alien and Sedition Acts
Laws passed by a Federalist-dominated Congress aimed at protecting the government from treasonous ideas, actions, and people
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Republican documents that argued that the Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional