Unit 2: Early Years

Question 0

Alexander Hamilton

Answer 0

Washington chose him to be the secretary of treasury. He had opposing views with Jefferson. He believed in a strong central government led by upper-class citizens, favored commerce and industry, which found more support in the North. He proposed the Bank of the United States, as well.

Question 1

Judiciary Act of 1789

Answer 1

A law that established the federal court system and the number of Supreme Court justices and that provided for the appeal of certain state court decisions to the federal court.

Question 2

Bank of the United States

Answer 2

Either of the two national banks, funded by the federal government and private investors, established by Congress, the first in 1791 and the second in 1816.

Question 3

Democratic-Republicans

Answer 3

Political party known for its support of strong state governments, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1792 in opposition to the Federalist Party.

Question 4

Protective tariff

Answer 4

A tax on imported goods that is intended to protect a nation’s businesses from foreign competition.

Question 5

Neutrality

Answer 5

A refusal to take part in war between other nations.

Question 6

John Jay

Answer 6

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, went to negotiate with Britain regarding the control of territories west of the Appalachian Mountains, which angered many western settlers.

Question 7

XYZ Affair

Answer 7

A 1797 incident in which French officials demanded a bribe from U.S. diplomats.

Question 8

Alien and Sedition Acts

Answer 8

A series of four laws enacted in 1798 to reduce the political power of recent immigrants to the United States.

Question 9

John Marshall

Answer 9

A Federalist appointed as Chief Justice of Supreme Court.

Question 10

Marbury vs. Madison

Answer 10

An 1803 case in which the Supreme Court ruled that it had the power to abolish legislative acts by declaring them unconstitutional; this power came to be known as judicial review.

Question 11

Louisiana Purchase

Answer 11

The 1803 purchase by the United States of France’s Louisiana Territory - extending from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains - for $15 million.

Question 12

Impressment

Answer 12

The forcible seizure of men for military service.

Question 13

William Henry Harrison

Answer 13

Governor of the Indiana Territory invited several Native American chiefs to persuade them to sign away three million acres of tribal land to the U.S. government.

Question 14

Treaty of Ghent

Answer 14

The 1814 treaty that ended the War of 1812.

Question 15

What were the first steps of the Washington Administration to building a new government?

Answer 15

The Washington administration’s first step was the creation of the judicial system. The Constitution had authorized Congress to set up a federal court system, leading to the Judiciary Act of 1789. At the same time, Washington was also building an executive branch to help him make policies and carry out the laws passed by Congress.

Question 16

Why was the Whiskey Rebellion a significant event in the early days of the new government?

Answer 16

It was an opportunity for the federal government to show that it could enforce to law along the western frontier. It was a milestone in the consolidation of federal power in domestic affairs.

Question 17

How did the United States managed to stay out of war during Washington’s and Adam’s administration?

Answer 17

During Washington’s administrations, due to conflicting sides on the French Revolution, he declared neutrality - supporting neither side of the conflict. Entering the war was not in the new nation’s interest.
During Adam’s administration, he sent a three-man delegation to negotiate a solution for the conflict of the Jay treaty violating the French-American alliance.

Question 18

What were some of the accomplishments of Jefferson’s first administration?

Answer 18

He simplified the presidency: cut costs, shrink government, eliminating all internal taxes, establishing free trade, etc. He was the first president to take office in the new federal capital, Washington, D.C. With no difficulty, Jefferson doubled the land of the United States with the Louisiana Purchase. And finally, with the Lewis and Clark expedition, new information was gained regarding the new territory.

Question 19

What events led to the War of 1812?

Answer 19

When the Native Americans attempted to attack Harrison and his troops, failing miserably. At the time, when it was discovered that the Confederacy was using British arms, the South and West declared war against Britain. Other events that took place during or after the War of 1812: war in Canada, naval wars, the burning of the White House, battle at New Orleans, and then the Treaty of Ghent.