Unit 3 Flashcards
James Madison
The author of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, Madison was also the father of the Federalist party and the fourth President of the United States. He was President during the war of 1812 and was also Vice-President under Jefferson. He was a great statesman but was not a strong president
Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton emerged as a major political figure during the debate over the Constitution, as the outspoken leader of the Federalists and one of the authors of the Federalist Papers. Later, as secretary of treasury under Washington, Alexander Hamilton spearheaded the government’s Federalist initiatives, most notably through the creation of the Bank of the United States
George Hamilton
served during the War of 1812, where he held the rank of captain with the Niagara Light Dragoons, participating in the capture of Detroit and the Battle of Queenston Heights and Lundy’s Lane
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan was presented to the Constitutional Convention and proposed the creation of a bicameral legislature with representation in both houses proportional to population. The Virginia Plan favored the large states, which would have a much greater voice. In opposition, the small states proposed the New Jersey Plan. In the end, the two sides found common ground through the Connecticut Compromise.
New Jersey Plan
retained the essence of the existing system with its one-house legislature in which all states had equal representation, but which would have given Congress expanded powers to tax and to regulate commerce.
Connecticut Plan/Great Compromise
a decision made by the grand committee, called for a two house legislature; the lower house representatives would be based on population (each slave would be counted as 3/5 a free person in determining the basis for representation and taxation), in the upper house states would be represented equally with two members apiece.
3/5 Compromise
compromise in which three in every 5 slaves was counted for the populations of a state.
Commercial Compromise
allowed Congress to regulate interstate and foreign commerce yet prohibited any tariffs on exported goods. This agreement incorporated the needs of both the Anti-Federalists and the Federalists to some degree
Federalists
One of the first two political parties. Some of the leading Federalists were Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. Federalist programs included the National Bank and taxes to support the growth of industry. The Federalists believed in a strong central government, a strong army, industry, and loose interpretation of the Constitution. Also, the Federalists supported Britain
Antifederalists
They opposed the ratification of the Constitution because it gave more power to the federal government and less to the states, and because it didn’t ensure individual rights. Many wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation. The Anti-Federalists were instrumental in obtaining passage of the Bill of Rights as a prerequisite to ratification of the Constitution in several states. After the ratification of the Constitution, the Anti-Federalists regrouped as the Democratic-Republican (or simply Republican) party
The Federalist Papers
collection of essays by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison, explained the importance of a strong central government published to convince New York to ratify the Constitution
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which guarantee basic individual rights. Antifederalist opposition of the Constitution led to the inclusion of the Bill of Rights.
Judiciary Act of 1789
Created the federal court system, allowed president to create federal courts and to appoint judges
Strict Construction vs. Loose Construction
the belief that all powers not specifically granted to the central government were reserved to the states under the Constitution; the belief that what the Constitution did not permit it forbade; proposed by Jefferson; the belief that what the Constitution did not forbid it permitted; proposed by Hamilton, this led to the idea of implied powers (powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution)
Proclamation of Neutrality, 1793
Washington’s declaration that the U.S. would not take sides after the French Revolution touched off a war between France and a coalition consisting primarily of England, Austria and Prussia. Washington’s Proclamation was technically a violation of the Franco-American Treaty of 1778.
Citizen Genet, Genet Affair
French diplomat who spoke to crowds of pro-French Americans. Challenged Washington’s Congress to a debate in 1793 about the neutrality policy, hoping to persuade it to declare war in Britain. The Citizen Genêt affair began in 1793 when he was dispatched to the United States to promote American support for France’s wars with Spain and Britain. However, Genêt’s goals in South Carolina were to recruit and arm American privateers that would join French expeditions against the British. His actions had endangered American neutrality in the war between France and Britain, and he was eventually stopped when both the American and French wanted him to.
Jay Treaty, 1794
A treaty between the United States and Great Britain. The treaty angered the friends of France, which was at war with Britain, and became a central issue in the politics of the First Party System. The treaty avoided a threatened war and resolved most (but not all) of the grievances between the two nations (Britain and the US) and opened a decade of peace and commercial prosperity.
Pinckney Treaty, 1795
1795 - Treaty between the U.S. and Spain which gave the U.S. the right to transport goods on the Mississippi river and to store goods in the Spanish port of New Orleans
Whiskey Rebellion
In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton’s excise tax on whiskey, and several federal officers were killed in the riots caused by their attempts to serve arrest warrants on the offenders. In October, 1794, the army, led by Washington, put down the rebellion.
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
It was created by Alexander Hamilton to stabilized the American economy. It consisted of federal assumption of all debts, including state and federal debts. Along with this, he proposed the chartering of the U.S. bank to help restore American credit.
Democratic-Republican Party
Had earlier been members of the Anti-Federalists. Its leading members were Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Democratic-Republicans differed from Federalists in that they favored state banks and little industry. Also, they believed in a weak central government, state and individual rights, and strict interpretation of the Constitution. The Democratic-Republicans felt that France was the United States’ most important ally.
Washington’s Farewell Address
Washington’s final statement presented in the form of a newspaper essay, appearing first in the American Daily Advertiser in Philadelphia in September 1796; it was not a speech and was not delivered orally. The address warned first against the growth of political parties, especially if geographically based. In foreign affairs Washington acknowledged the need for temporary alliances, but warned against “permanent alliances.” (The term “entangling alliances” is not found in the address.) Finally the departing president urged the country to continue to honor the payment of all financial obligations.
John Adams
Federalist vice President under Washington and became the second President of the U.S. His opponent, Thomas Jefferson, became vice president. He was a qualified president, but failed miserably. He was the last federalist as President.
