Unit 2 - Launching a New Nation Part 2 Flashcards
summarize the proclamation of neutrality
- Americans should not involve themselves in the war
- trade and commerce with Great Britain and France would still proceed
- Washington realized the importance for the new nation to avoid ongoing wars in Europe (wanted to maintain peace and stability)
- those who violated the proclamation of neutrality would be punished
historical context:
the document was written in 1793 as a result of a dispute between Hamilton and Jefferson regarding America’s involvement in the French Revolution. Before the death of King Louis XVI, America signed a treaty with him that stated they would help each other during times of war. Hamilton and Jefferson argued whether this meant they should get involved in the war or support Britain or France
what was the Democratic-Republican’s/Jefferson’s stance on the French Revolution?
Democratic Republicans believed that the French Rev was the legacy of the American Rev
moral obligation because they were allied with France through the 1788 Treaty and France had helped the US during the American Rev
believed that the revolution reflected freedom and equality
Jefferson argued that because he was Secretary of The State he was meant to deal with foreign affairs
what was the Federalists/Hamilton’s stance on the French Revolution?
believed that the war would end badly
there was no connection to France, more of one to England
because the King died, the US isn’t obligated to help France
believed that the new French gov’t will end in tyranny
there should be a focus on allyship with Great Britain because trade is easier
feared that a war would ruin trade with Britain
Hamilton wanted investors from Britain
summarize George Washington’s farewell address
- declared his retirement, which set up a precedent for future presidents to serve a maximum of two terms
- emphasized the importance of national unity and warned against political parties
- cautioned against conflict with foreign nations and promoted alliances
- expressed his gratitude for the support of Americans
what was Washington’s warning about foreign relations
America should limit its political connections with other countries, America should not involve itself in other country’s affairs through treaties
why did Washington believe this warning was necessary in 1796?
because there were previous disputes regarding involvement in other nations affairs, specifically during the French revolution
feared that political parties would create a divide in the nation
According to Washington, what positive results will eventually occur if the US keeps to itself
maintaining neutrality, the nation will avoid external conflict
ensure peace and safety for the country
allow for economic growth because the US won’t be dragged into costly conflicts
maintain independence
what is Washington’s warning about political parties
Washington warns that political parties leave room for people to overthrow parts of the gov’t if they were to gain too much power. Ultimately, he believed political parties are a danger to the US and will eventually result in polarization
Lewis and Clark
Commissioned by president Jefferson
expanded/explored westward
Set out from St. Louis, Missouri in 1804 and traveled overland to the Pacific Ocean
Patrick Gass - took part in the expedition, kept a journal throughout
Expedition took 2 years and 4 months and recorded invaluable information about western territories
Aaron Burr
Received the same number of votes as Jefferson from the electoral college
The house of representatives was called upon to make a decision between the two candidates
Hamilton intervened and persuaded some federalists to cast blank votes towards Jefferson to give him majority
Hamilton felt that Jefferson was a more qualified candidate
As a result, the 12th Amendment was passed by congress
John Marshall
Federalists had significant influence in the judicial branch
Adams appointed John Marshall, a federalist, as chief justice of the Supreme Court
Marshall was an influential member of the supreme court and made decisions that strengthened the Supreme Court and Federal Gov’ts powers
Judiciary Act of 1801
Increased the number of federal judges to 16
supported/promoted by Adams
Adams filled these positions with Federalists in an attempt to control the Supreme Court
Midnight Judges
Federalist Supreme court members appointed by Adams in an attempt to control the Supreme Court
Jefferson argued that the appointments were invalid because the document authorizing them had not been delivered before Adams left office
Marbury v. Madison
Arose from Jefferson and Adams debate of regarding the invalidation of Adams’ attempted appointments of Supreme Court Justices
William Marbury was one of the midnight judges who never received his official papers
Madison was Jefferson’s secretary of state, who was responsible for delivering the papers
Marbury sued Madison to enforce the Judiciary act of 1789, which required the Supreme Court to order that the papers be delivered
It was determined by chief justice Marshall that the act was unconstitutional because the Supreme Court was not empowered to issue such orders
Judicial review
The ability of the Supreme Court to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson wanted to resolve the problem of forced alliance with britain by buying New Orleans and western Florida from the French
By the time Monroe reached Paris, Napoleon decided to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the U.S.
James Monroe and Robert Livingston bought the Louisiana Territory for $15 million
Jefferson doubted to constitutionality of the Louisiana Purchase
Included land drained by western tributaries of the Mississippi River
Resulted in the size of the US doubling
How did the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark expedition affect the expansion of the United States?
The US was able to expand and thus double in size because of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Louisiana Purchase, a purchase of Louisiana Territory from the French, gave the US a large amount of land for $15 million. Lewis and Clark’s expedition sprung from the Louisiana Purchase, as Jefferson ordered them to explore the newly gained territory and document unknown wildlife. Lewis and Clark’s expedition also allowed for the US to make relations with Native Americans, as Sacagawea, a Native woman, helped the explorers navigate and communicate.
Why was Marbury v Madison such an important case? (Think about: Judge Marshall’s decision and its effects on the future).
Marbury v Maddison was an important case because it strengthened judicial review and questioning the Judiciary Acts of 1789. During Marbury v Maddison, Marbury was looking to sue Maddison because he never received his official papers appointing him as a Supreme Court justice. Marbury, a federalist, had been appointed by Adams as a judge and it was the responsibility of the secretary of the state, Maddison, to deliver the official papers. The case led to Judge Marshall deciding that the Judiciary act of 1789, which required the Supreme Court to order that the papers be delivered, was unconstitutional.
what were Jefferson’s motivations for making the Louisiana Purchase?
territorial expansions/economic opportunity - provided land for farmers, lots of new natural resources
Control of Mississippi River - the Port of New Orleans was crucial for American commerce because it provided access to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, which was vital for trade and transportation
avoiding conflict with France - there was a potential threat of French Military in the Louisiana Territory
