The Federalist Era, 1789-1800

Question 1

Who becomes the first president under the U.S. Constitution and the New Republic in 1789?

Answer 1

George Washington

Question 2

This is the term given to the appointed chiefs/advisors of departments by the president.

Answer 2

Cabinet

Question 3

This act made the Supreme Court the highest court in the U.S. and declared that Federal courts are superior to State courts.

Answer 3

Judiciary Act (1789)

Question 4

This was the first law passed by Congress, which was designed to protect infant industries.

Answer 4

Tariff of 1789

Question 5

In 1789, the American Revolution inspired a revolution to break out where?

Answer 5

France (French Revolution)

Question 6

Once the French Revolution began, the U.S. continued to trade with France. Meanwhile, the British began seizing U.S. ships and doing what with American sailors?

Answer 6

Impressment

Question 7

Which founding father had a financial plan to stabilize the American economy, promote economic growth, and strengthen finances?

Answer 7

Alexander Hamilton

Question 8

Name a few aspects of Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan.

Answer 8

1. Pay off the national debt
2. Protect the nation’s industries
3. Place high tariffs on imported goods
4. Collect taxes
5. Create a national bank to deposit government funds and print money

Question 9

Thomas Jefferson viewed Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan as benefiting the rich. What kind of economy did Jefferson favor?

Answer 9

Agriculture

Question 10

Congress eventually adopted which three parts of Hamilton’s financial plan?

Answer 10

1. U.S. government will pay off the national debt and adopt the debts of the states.
2. Tariffs on imports and excise (direct) taxes on whiskey to pay for the debt.
3. National Bank.

Question 11

Jefferson argued that the Constitution did not give Congress the power to create a bank. Which part of the Constitution did Hamilton argue that they could create a bank?

Answer 11

Elastic Clause - “necessary and proper”

Question 12

Alexander Hamilton favored what kind of interpretation of the Constitution?

Answer 12

“Loose” interpretation

Question 13

Thomas Jefferson favored what kind of interpretation of the Constitution?

Answer 13

“Strict” interpretation

Question 14

What were the first two political parties? (Two-Party System)

Answer 14

Federalists led by Hamilton

Democratic-Republicans led by Jefferson

Question 15

Who made up the Federalist Party?

Answer 15

Northern States
Industrialists/Bankers
Strong federal government supporters
Federal government over state's rights
Pro-British

Question 16

Who made up the Democratic-Republican Party?

Answer 16

Southern and Western frontier states
Farmers
Limited federal government
Supported state's rights
Pro-French

Question 17

In 1791, this American institution would pay government bills, print money, collect revenues (taxes), deposit federal funds.

Answer 17

First Bank of the United States (U.S. Bank)

Question 18

In 1793, France waged war against England and Spain. George Washington refused to get involved by making this proclamation?

Answer 18

Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)

Question 19

Which political party supported the British against the French?

Answer 19

Federalists

Question 20

Which political party supported the French against the British?

Answer 20

Democratic-Republicans

Question 21

In 1793, this French minister began to ask the American people directly to support the French cause.

Answer 21

Edmond Genet (“Citizen” Genet)

Question 22

In 1794, poor farmers of western Pennsylvania didn’t want to pay excise tax (direct tax) on whiskey, so they attacked tax collectors. Washington put down this rebellion with troops.

Answer 22

Whiskey Rebellion (1794)

Question 23

The U.S. army defeated Indian tribes at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in Ohio. Which treaty did Indians agree to give up the Ohio Territory and also encouraged American settlement of the West?

Answer 23

Treaty of Greenville (1794)

Question 24

In 1794, Washington sent John Jay to Britain to ask the British to stop seizing U.S. ships and impressing American sailors. This treaty also asked for the withdrawal of British troops from American forts.

Answer 24

Jay Treaty (1794)

Question 25

The British continued to impress American sailors despite the Jay Treaty, which would eventually lead to what war?

Answer 25

War of 1812

Question 26

This U.S. treaty with Spain settled the Florida-Georgia border and allowed for free navigation of the Mississippi River.

Answer 26

Pinckney Treaty (1795)

Question 27

In 1796, George Washington gave his farewell address. What did he warn Americans not to do?

Answer 27

Don’t get involved with European affairs
Don’t make permanent alliances
Don’t form political parties
Avoid sectionalism

Question 28

What tradition did George Washington establish that is not stated in the Constitution?

Answer 28

Two-term tradition

Question 29

Who won the election of 1796 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson?

Answer 29

Pres. John Adams (1797-1801)

Question 30

In 1797, the French began to seize American ships and three French ministers requested a bribe from the U.S. diplomats before entering into negotiations. This event almost led to war between the U.S. and France?

Answer 30

XYZ Affair (1797)

Question 31

These acts were passed in 1798 by the John Adam’s administration in an attempt to limit the power of the Democratic-Republicans.

Answer 31

Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)

Question 32

In 1798, this act increased the residence requirement to become a citizen from 5 to 14 years. Immigrants strongly voted for the Democratic-Republicans.

Answer 32

Naturalization Act (1798)

Question 33

This act allowed the president to deport dangerous foreigners.

Answer 33

The Alien Act (1798)

Question 34

This act made it illegal to publish anything critical of the government or the president.

Answer 34

The Sedition Act (1798)

Question 35

In 1798, these resolutions were written secretly by Jefferson and Madison. The resolutions stated that a state could reject an act passed by the federal government. This sets up the theory of Nullification.

Answer 35

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Question 36

A state can declare an act of Congress as unconstitutional.

Answer 36

Nullification

Question 37

John C. Calhoun of South Carolina believed any state had the right to nullify (reject) which kind of laws?

Answer 37

Federal laws

Question 38

This theory states that the federal government was formed by a compact (agreement) of the states and when the government breaks the compact, the states can nullify (reject) a federal law.

Answer 38

Compact Theory (State’s Rights)

Question 39

Which political party was in charge of the government between the years 1789-1800?

Answer 39

Federalist Party (Federalist Era)

Question 40

Who won the election of 1800 between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson?

Answer 40

Pres. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)