Unit 2 - Launching a New Nation Flashcards
Judiciary Act of 1789
Created a judicial structure
Provided for a supreme court
Chief justice
Five associate justices (increased over time)
Set up 3 federal circuit courts (increased over time)
Set up 13 federal district courts (increased over time)
Section 25 of the Judiciary Act
allowed state court decisions to be appealed to the Federal Court when questions of constitutionality arose
Ensured that federal laws remained the “supreme Law of the Land”
Cabinet
Department heads, such as secretary of the treasury, attorney general, etc, became the president’s “chief advisors”/the Cabinet
The constitution provided George Washington the right to “require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officers in each of the executive departments”
Washington sought these opinions on a regular basis
14 additional departments have been added since Washington’s time
Protective tariff
An import tax on goods produced in Europe
Was meant to encourage American production
Brought in a lot of revenue
Democratic-Republicans
Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were the founders
Believed in state power rather than federal power
Bank of the United States
Issued paper money
Handled tax receipts and other government funds
Some claimed that the bank would forge an unhealthy alliance between the gov’t and wealthy business interests
Some argued that Congress had no right to authorize a national bank
Alexander Hamilton
Was born into poverty and joined the army during the Revolution
Was selected as secretary of the treasury by George Washington
His job was to set in order the nation’s finances and to strengthen the nation’s economy
Proposed a plan to manage the country’s debts and establish a national banking system
Disagreed with Jefferson, mainly on topics regarding Hamilton’s plan for the economy
Believed in a strong central government led by a prosperous (educated elite of upper class citizens)
Hamilton envisioned the U.S. as a country much like Britain with a strong central gov’t, commerce, and industry. More people from the north supported his views
Two-party system
Federalists and democratic-republicans
Formed around the issue of power and size of the federal government
Excise tax
A tax on a product’s manufacture, sale, or distribution
Was put on the manufacturing of whiskey
Whiskey Rebellion
Reflected the tension between federal and regional interests
Sparked by federal excise tax on whiskey
Whiskey was a main source of income for farmers and the taxes angered them
These farmers attacked federal marshalls and threatened to secede from the union
Federalists
Hamilton
Concentrated power in a federal gov’t
Fear of mob rule
Republic led by well-educated elite
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
National bank constitutional
Economy based on shipping and manufacturing
Payment of national and state debts (favoring creditors)
Supported by merchants, landowners, manufacturers, investors, lawyers, clergy
description of democratic-republicans
Sharing power with state and local governments
Limited national government
Fear of absolute power and rule
Democracy of virtuous farmers and tradespeople
Strict interpretation of the constitution
National bank unconstitutional (strict interpretation)
Economy based on farming
Payments of only national debts
Supporters: farmers, tradespeople
How would you judge President Washington’s decision to put two such opposed thinkers as Hamilton and Jefferson on his cabinet? (take into consideration Jefferson and Hamilton’s merits, philosophies, and conflicts)
I believe that Washington’s decision to put two opposed thinkers on his cabinet was strategic and helped to balance viewpoints in the gov’t. Hamilton was a federalist who advocated for a strong central government and a national bank. In contrast, Jefferson advocated for a limited national government and a sharing of power between state and local governments. Their conflicting viewpoints allowed for opinions to be balanced, thus allowing different ideas to be introduced and incorporated into the government.
How was the Whiskey Rebellion an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its authority?
The whiskey rebellion was an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its authority because the federal government was able to respond to violent uprisings with a substantial militia force. Prior to the Constitution, the government was unable to form a militia to control protests and uprisings. The ability to raise a militia demonstrated the federal government’s new ability to enforce laws within state boundaries
Would you have supported Hamilton’s economic plan? Explain why or why not. Think about the money problems and other problems the nation faced.
Hamilton’s plan included paying off national debt accumulated during the Revolution and formulating a National Bank to manage the country’s debts and major financial issues. Hamilton proposed to pay off foreign debts and issue new bonds to cover old ones. Under Hamilton’s plan, a strong central government and economy was supported, as it allowed for a stable national currency and took some debt off of the states.
Neutrality
a statement that the United States would support neither side in a conflict
George Washington declared neutrality during the French Revolution despite it allyship with France
Edmond Genet
A young diplomat sent forward by the French to win American support. Instead of following diplomatic procedure, he recruited Americans for the war effort against Britain, which outraged Washington. Genet remained in the United States and became a US citizen.
Thomas Pinckney
US minister
Signed a treaty with Spain on October 27, 1795
federalist
Pinckney’s Treaty contained almost all assets that the US wished to acquire, such as all land claims (except for Florida) that Spain had east of the Mississippi. It also recognized the 31st parallel as a southern border of the US and the northern boundary of Florida. The Mississippi river was opened to traffic by Spanish subjects and US citizens, which allowed Americans to use the port of New Orleans
Little Turtle
leader of A Miami Tribe that led a confederacy of Native American Groups. Josiah Hamar’s troops had a run-in with Little Turtle while trying to gain control over the area that would become Ohio
John Jay
Chief justice of the supreme court at the time
Negotiated a treaty with Britain to determine with nation would control territories west of the Appalachian Mountains (the Northwest Treaty, Nov. 19 1794)
The Northwest Treaty was signed and the British agreed to evacuate their post in the Northwest Territory
The Treaty passed the senate, but many Americans were angered by the fact that it allowed Britain to continue fur trade along the Canadian border
Sectionalism
Placing the interests of one region over those of the nation as a whole
People feared sectionalism after the election between Adams and Jefferson
XYZ Affair
The French Directory (French executive branch) sent 3 low-level officials whom Adams referred to as ‘X, Y, and Z” demanded a $250,000 bribe as payment for seeing Talleyrand. This became known as the ‘XYZ Affair” and provoked a wave of anti-French feeling at home.
Alien & Sedition Acts
immigrants associated with the Democratic-Republican party were seen as a threat to the gov’t. In order to counter this, the Alien and Sedition act was created.
The Aliens act raised the residence requirement for American citizenship from 5 years to 14 years and allowed the president to deport or jail any immigrant viewed as undesirable
Nullification
Idea that states had the right to nullify/consider voiding any acts of Congress that they deemed unconstitutional.
Virginia and Kentucky viewed the Alien and Sedition Acts as unconstitutional and a violation of First Amendment rights
Do you agree with the DemocraticRepublicans that the Alien and Sedition Acts were a violation of the First Amendment? Were they necessary? Support your opinion. Think About: the intent of the First Amendment, what was happening in Europe, and what was happening in America
The Alien and Sedition Acts violated the First Amendment because they restricted people’s abilities to speak out against the government by prosecuting those who did. The First Amendment intended to allow people to freely criticize the government, and the Sedition Act jailed people for expressing “false, scandalous, and malicious statements.” Under these terms, the government could essentially prosecute anyone who had opinions which did not align with federalist’s. In addition to their unconstitutionality, the Alien and Sedition Acts were unnecessary, as they were formed as a result of unjustified suspicion and fear.
Should the United States have officially supported the French revolutionaries against the British? Support your opinion with examples from the text. Think About: Federalist and Republican attitudes toward France and Great Britain, the Reign of Terror, and U.S. gratitude to France for its support against Britain
Declaring neutrality on the French Revolution was justified because opinions on the revolution were distinctly split between the U.S.’s political parties, thus supporting only one side would divide the country and potentially cause conflict. Democratic-Republicans, were typically more supportive of the French because they wanted to honor the 1778 Treaty that declared alliance between the two nations. Conversely, the Federalists typically supported Britain. Although the U.S. was allied with France, supporting the French over the British during the French Revolution put the U.S. at risk for internal conflict between political parties.
Why did Native American tribes engage in violent conflicts with Americans?
Native American tribes engaged in conflict with the Americans because settlers began unlawfully taking over and using native land. Specifically, Americans controlled a settlement in the Northwest Territory which engaged in conflict with natives.
Who is Little Turtle?
Little Turtle was the chief of a tribe that engaged in conflict with Americans and was responsible for the majority of significant defeats of the American military.
When did the Battle of Fallen Timbers occur? Who was involved in this battle?
The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place on August 20th, 1784 between Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the U.S. and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans.
What modern day states make up the Northwest Territory?
Modern states that make up the Northwest Territory are Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota.
How did the U.S. acquire this territory?
It was acquired from the Treaty of Paris
How did Native Americans in this territory react to Americans settling there?
The Native Americans viewed the Americans as intruders on their land
Explain the Grand Council’s reaction to the American army. What action did they take?
The Grand Council decided that they wanted to continue with military action. After, Little Turtle gives Blue Jacket the leadership role in the Native American army.
Explain the goal of General Anthony Wayne and the Legion of the U.S. as they made their way toward this territory.
Anthony Wayne was a revolutionary war hero who was chosen to lead the Legion of the U.S. His goal was to come up the Ohio river and provide safety to settlers living around these newly established areas as he made his way to the Northwest Territory. It took him one year to cover this distance.
Describe the encounter between Little Turtle and his men and General Anthony Wayne’s army.
Little Turtle had been watching Anthony Wayne and eventually attacked him and his legion. The natives were shocked because the American armies were stronger than previous armies they had encountered.
Explain the circumstances that lead to the Battle of Fallen Timbers.
Anthony Wayne built a camp at the area he was attempting to reach and sent people out to settle in the Battle of Fallen Timbers area. As they settled, they were captured and brought back to the Native Americans village where they revealed to the Natives what Wayne’s battle plans were. As Wayne marched to this area, he started meeting Native American resistance, which led to the occurrence of a smaller battle. Eventually, this led to a larger battle where the Americans outmatched the native Americans and forced them to retreat.
How did the British respond to the Native Americans who arrived at Fort Miamis?
The British decided that there would be no military intervention because that would essentially be considered a declaration of war on America.
Explain the Native American response to the British.
In response to Britain’s refusal to intervene with their military, the native Americans were upset and reevaluated their alliance with Britain.
Explain the significance of the Treaty of Greenville.
The US sent its representatives to meet with the leaders of tribes. This treaty was the first in history to accurately deal with the land crisis with Native Americans. This treaty opened up the opportunity for Indian Removal Acts and Manifest Destiny.
How did the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the subsequent Treaty of Greenville affect U.S. foreign relations with Native American tribes and European powers in the late 18th century?
The Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville negatively impacted foreign relations with Native Americans and European powers by claiming previously native-owned land and providing the government with the opportunity to force tribes to vacate land. The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place on August 20th, 1794 and was the result of a dispute between Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the U.S. and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans over the Northwest Territory, which had been unlawfully settled in by Americans. Anthony Wayne’ main priority was to follow the Ohio River and provide safety to settlers living around newly established areas whilst marching to the Northwest Territory. Wayne was faced with Native American resistance, thus eventually leading to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Because Britain refused to declare war against America in support of the Native Americans, the Natives were forced to sign the Treaty of Greenville. In signing the treaty, Native Americans gave the American government the opportunity to claim native land and implement Indian Removal Acts.
Allowed Americans to push further out west through manifest destiny, etc
Nationalism in the late 18th century referred to a strong sense of pride and loyalty to the United States as a unified nation, with a focus on expanding its territory and asserting its sovereignty. How did events like the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville reflect the growing sense of American nationalism during this period?
The Battle Of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville reflect the growing sense of American Nationalism during the time period by expanding American territories. The Battle of Fallen Timbers, which occurred on August 20th, 1794, resulted in the Treaty of Greenville. This treaty secured white settlement of previously Native American territory, thus expanding settlers’ claim over American land. The Treaty of Greenville also ended the conflict between Anthony Wayne’s Legion and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans and removed confederacy claims in Ohio.
Demonstrated the US military’s strength and reduced foreign influence reflected the nation’s growing confidence
Nationalism = patriotism
Native were less powerful - boosted american confidence
Which political party did John Adams support? Which political party did Thomas Jefferson support?
John Adams was a Federalist and moderate and Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican.
Background Information on Little Turtle
Post revolution America was riddled with conflict as settlers began encroaching on Native lands, unlawfully ceded to the United States by Great Britain. Rejecting American control and settlement in the Northwest Territory, a confederation of Great Lakes tribes, including Detroit and St. Joseph Potawatomi, engaged in a campaign of violent raids that culminated into a series of battles, ultimately warranting U.S. military action. Led by the renowned Miami warrior and headman Mshikenikwe, or Little Turtle, the tribesmen dealt the most significant defeats in American military history to date.
The Northwest Territory was the first organized territory created by the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The territory was defined as east of the Mississippi River, northwest of the Ohio River, south of the Great Lakes, and west of Pennsylvania. The Northwest Territory included what is now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and the northeast part of Minnesota.
What caused Thomas Jefferson to become John Adams’ vice president?
Thomas Jefferson became vice president because he ran against Adams in the presidential election and lost.
How did France respond to Jay’s Treaty during Adams’ presidency?
The French were outraged because they viewed Jay’s treaty as an Anglo-American alliance. As a result, France suspended diplomatic relations with the U.S. at the end of 1796 and seized more than 300 American ships over the following two years.
What do you think caused the XYZ Affair?
I think that France’s suspense of diplomatic relations with America led to the XYZ affair
How did John Adams respond to the international crisis with France?
In response to the international crisis with France, John Adams sent a diplomatic mission to France and requested a meeting to be held to discuss the matter.
What did the French agents tell the American diplomats? What was this known as in the United States?
French agents told the American diplomats that in order to negotiate, America must accept a bribe. This was known as the XYZ Affair in the U.S.
What slogan did the Federalists use to weaken popular support for France? What does the slogan mean?
“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”
What did the Federalists do to prepare for war against France?
federalists who controlled the Congress as well as the presidency raised new taxes, enlarged the army and navy, and increased power within the central gov’t.
What country did the United States act as an unofficial ally only 15 years after the Revolutionary War?
Great Britain
What enhanced Adams’ public standing?
Adams anti-french policies were popular and widely supported
Do you think John Adams should have supported war with France? Explain your answer.
Adams should not have supported war with France because Washington had declared neutrality and wished to remain uninvolved.
What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?
the Alien and Sedition acts gave power to the gov’t to deport foreigners and make it difficult for immigrants to vote and prevented people from openly criticizing the gov’t
Who did the Federalists see as a threat to American security?
Federalists saw immigrants and foreigners as a threat to American security
What groups had been core supporters of the Democratic-Republicans?
non-English ethnic groups and people in the farming and similar industries
What happened to over 20 Republican newspaper editors under the Sedition Act?
they were arrested and imprisoned
What did the Sedition Act prohibit?
public opposition to the government
What could happen to those who expressed their opposition to the government?
those who opposed the government were fined and imprisoned
Which Amendment did the Sedition Act violate?
the first amendment
What did the Virginia and Kentucky legislatures do in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts?
passed resolutions asserting federal laws invalid within their states
Who was the father of the Constitution that now was wary of a strong central government?
James Maddison
Why did the Federalists pass harsh laws like the Alien and Sedition Acts?
because they feared foreigners were a danger to the country
How do you think Americans would react today if the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed?
Americans would be enraged if the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed today because of its unconstitutional and biased nature.
What precedent did the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures establish? How would this eventually affect the nation?
Kentucky and Virginia legislatures established the Kentucky legislature, which placed states above the federal gov’t and helped to reject federal laws
