History Test (First Five Presidents) Flashcards
What are the times Washington fought and why did this help him become a leader?
Washington fought in the French and Indian War from 1754-1763., the American Revolution from 1775-1781, put down Shay’s Rebellion in 1787, and the Constitution was ratified in 1789. He was also a member of the Constitutional Congress. These acts helped Washington become a leader or President because he was a war hero and was trusted.
Where is President Washington from? What is the state considered to be in?
President Washington is from Mount Vernon, Virginia. Which is considered to be in the South.
How long was President Washington’s term and why? How old was he?
President Washington’s term was 2 years from 1789-1797 because he wanted to set the Precedent that a President should only run two times, otherwise the President would be like a king. Washington started when he was 57.
What is President Washington called and why?
President Washington is called the “Father of the Country” because he was the first President and he set the Precedent of running for two terms only.
What is a precedent and example of who set one?
A precedent is the start of a tradition and is setting an example for the future. Ex, George Washington.
According to the Constitution, how was it decided who would be the vice president?
According to the Constitution, it was decided that the person with the second-highest number of votes or the runner up would be the vice president.
Who was Washington’s Vice President and where was he from? What is the state considered to be in?
John Adams was the Vice President and he was from Massachusetts.- Which is considered to be the North.
Plantation
Is much larger than a farm and is 100’s of football fields. (Only grows crops, not many animals.)
How many slaves did Washington have on his plantation? What did the plantation grow?
Washington owned a plantation with about 317 slaves. The plantation grew wheat, corn, and other grains.
What was Washington’s argument about having a plantation with slaves? Where would you buy slaves? How long did the U.S have slaves?
Washington’s argument about having a plantation with slaves was that the plantation is too much land, to pay for people to harvest it and that would be too much money, so that is why they wanted to buy slaves/human beings for “Free Labor”. You would buy slaves at a slave auction- you would bid on them. From 1619-1865- end of Civil War, there were slaves.
What did Washington do with his slaves after his Presidency? Who were the rest owned by? Why couldn’t Martha release the slaves?
After Washington’s Presidency in 1799, Washington released about 164 of his slaves, but the rest were owned by Washington’s wife, Martha. She couldn’t release the slaves because they were technically “owned” by her first husband, who had died, and by law she had no power. Women could not own property and a Dead Man had more power than an alive woman. (Martha could control the slaves, but could not release them.)
Where was Washington inaugurated and why? Capital’s over the years.
Washington was sworn in at Federal Hall NY because it was the Capital at the time and the Philadelphia Capital took time to build.(Federal Hall to Philadelphia to Washington D.C.)
Who actually elected President Washington (and Vice) for his first (and second) terms? Who was the electoral college composed of?
President Washington was actually elected by the electoral college or Congress who would meet and elect a president, unlike our modern day where the President is voted in by the entire country. They were both only elected by the electoral college because it was too hard to organize an election with how young the countries’ government was. The Electoral College was mostly comprised of the men who were at the Constitutional Convention.
What did Washington want to avoid and why?
Washington wanted to avoid political parties because he felt they fragmented or split up the country. Also, the Constitution did not mention political parties.
Who was the first “First lady”?
Martha Washington was the first “First lady”.
Explain: Second gentleman and second lady.
The Vice President’s husband or wife!
Why was it unusual that Martha Washington knew how to read and write?
It was unusual that Martha Washington knew how to read and write because typically only rich (white) men knew how to read and write.
Why can’t every Friday, the White House (in NY) was open to anyone who wanted to come and talk to the president or the first lady happen today?
This can’t happen today because there would be too many people wanting to see the President and people do not always do things of the good of the whole anymore. Whereas, back then people respected the country and wanted to be strong. (Everything for the good of the whole)
Explain: Martha had to entertain diplomats from other countries.
Martha had to entertain or meet with a representative from another country, doesn’t have to be the leader.
What is the purpose of the Presidential Cabinet?
The purpose of the Presidential Cabinet is to advise the president, but the President does not have to listen. (Help the President)
Washington appointed a cabinet and Supreme Court members. What articles?
Articles 2 and 3 because the Cabinet is Executive and Supreme Court members are the Judicial Branch.
Who was the Secretary of State- diplomacy? What is that job?
The Secretary of State was Thomas Jefferson and his job is to represent the President in meetings with other countries. (Given instructions from the President and HAVE to listen to them) Have limited power- power controlled by the President.
Who was the Head of the Treasury and explain the job?
The Head of Treasury was Alexander Hamilton and the job is about $$ and the Economic Plan, National Bank, and finances.
Who was the Department of War and explain that job?
Henry Knox was the Department of War and that job is our military. (Advises the President)
Who was the Attorney General and explain that job? Why would he investigate?
The Attorney General was Edmund Randolph and his job is to protect the Constitution and investigates high crimes of government officials if it disrespects the Constitution. (Now is the head of FBI) Can be secret. The Attorney General investigates things that effect the entire country. IMPORTANT!!
Why can’t the Attorney General be besties with the President?
The Attorney General be besties with the President because if they are there can be biased behavior and bribing or changing grades.
What is an example of what the Attorney General would investigate?
For example, fetinal drugs making pain disappear and making people addicted and die. (Damage has already been done)
Who was appointed Chief Justice and explain their job?
John Jay was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and appointed 5 associate members, but all have the same power. Today, there are 9 members, so there are no ties.
What was the first act Congress passed?
The Judiciary Act of 1789 (ARTICLE III WAS NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH AND WAS WEAK)
The states maintained their own courts, but what could overturn their decisions?
A federal court could overturn their decisions. Highest Court of the land- Supreme Court located in Washington D.C.- were waiting around for people to start cases.
Explain: According to the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court is the final court of appeals.
The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeals that reconsiders and is the final federal court you can go to. Final decision for the country.
The first Supreme Court had how many members? When did it change to 9?
The first Supreme Court had 6 members and in 1869 it went to 9.
Who was the Chief Justice?
Chief Justice was John Jay, but he did not have more power than the other 5.
What was the last part of the Judiciary Act of 1789?
The Supreme Court’s original role was not exactly clear. It a few years, its role becomes more defined.
What were the 4 parts of Hamilton’s Economic Plan?
All debts incurred from the American Revolution and before would be paid, tariffs would be put on all imported goods, a national bank would be established, and tax whiskey. (Hamilton played tennis with Bill Whiskey.)
Why did the Southern states agree to tariffs?
The Southern states eventually agreed to the tariffs because of the Dinner Compromise: Jefferson (Southerner) and Hamilton (Northerner) met and agreed that the capital would be moved from NY (1789-1790) to Philadelphia (1790-1800) to the South (present-day Washington DC)
As a result of the compromise, the Southern states in Congress joined with the Northern states to approve the tariffs! It was prestigious to have the (capital in the South)!
What were the 3 outcomes of the Dinner Compromise?
- James Madison wrote the Bill of Rights to ensure the government could not take advantage of an individual.
- The Capital would be located in Washington D.C. (Cut out between Maryland and Virginia.
- Alexander Hamilton wrote the Economic Plan. Also, National Bank.
Why does fighting a war put the United States in debt?
Fighting a war puts the United States in debt because Congress has to pay for the supplies and weapons for the military. If the war continues for many years, the U.S can run out of the money for their war budget. (Uniforms, ships, pays soldiers)
Why did Hamilton feel it was important to pay off our war debts to other countries?
Hamilton felt it was important to pay off our war debts to other countries, so the new nation would begin to stand on its own and to continue trade. (Respected by other countries to build the economy) Shows how respectful they are.
Why did we owe Great Britain money?
We owed Great Britain money because we bought goods from merchants (debts).
How did the U.S pay their debts?
The money owed was divided between the 13 states.
Why did the South have an easier time paying their war debts?
The South had an easier time paying their war debts because the South did not have to pay their workers due to having slaves. (What the North said) “Factory paying, Factory not-paying”.
