Chapter 8/9 Flashcards
Articles of Confederation
First American constitution that created a loose confederation of states under a weak national government
Land Ordinance of 1785
Provided for sale of land in the Old Northwest and earmarked the proceeds toward repaying the national debt
Northwest Ordinance
Created a policy for administering the Northwest Territories; included path to statehood and restricted expansion of slavery into the territories
Shay’s Rebellion
Armed uprising of western Massachusetts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures; inspired fears of mob rule among Revolutionaries
Constitutional Convention
Meeting of delegates in Philadelphia in 1787 to devise a new government for America
Virginia Plan
Large state plan that called for proportional representation in a bicameral legislature
New Jersey Plan
Small state plan that, fearing the power of large states, proposed equal representation by state regardless of population in a unicameral legislature
Great Compromise
Measure that reconciled the New Jersey and Virginia plans where states were given proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate
Three-Fifths Compromise
Determined that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person for apportioning taxes and for congressional representation
The Federalist
Collection of essays written by John Jay, Madison, and Hamilton in support of ratifying Constitution
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
Measure enacted by Virginia legislatures prohibiting state support for religious institutions and recognizing freedom of worship
Republican Motherhood
Ideal of family organization and female behavior after American revolution stressing role of women in guiding family members towards republican virtue
Judiciary Act of 1789
Organized the federal legal system, established the Supreme Court, federal district/circuit courts, and office of the attorney general
Assumption
The act when all state debts were transferred to the national government, thereby strengthening the union
Excise Tax
A tax on goods produced domestically
Whiskey Rebellion
Popular uprising in southwestern Pennsylvania against an excise tax on whiskey that was put down by George Washington and militia soldiers
Neutrality Proclamation
Issues by George Washington, it proclaimed America’s formal neutrality in the escalating conflict between England and France
Jay’s Treaty
Included a British promise to evacuate outposts on US soil and pay for damaged ships in exchange for the US repaying pre-Revolutionary war debts and following Britain’s anti-French trade policies
Pinckney’s Treaty
Signed with Spain that granted Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and the disputed treaty of Florida
George Washington’s Farewell Address
Warned against “permanent alliances” with other nations and avoiding foreign wars
The XYZ Affair
Diplomatic conflict between France and the U.S. when American envoys to France were asked to pay a hefty bribe for the privilege of meeting the French foreign minister
Alien Laws
Acts passed by a Federalist Congress that raised the residences requirement for citizenship to fourteen years and granted the president the power to deport foreigners in times of peace
Sedition Act
Enacted by the Federalist Congress to clamp down on Jeffersonian opposition, this law made anyone convicted of defaming government officials liable to imprisonment
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions
Statements drafted by Jefferson and Madison that argued that states could determine whether the federal government overstepped its boundaries and could therefore nullify any legislation they deemed unconstitutional