Washington/Adams QUIZ Tuesday, April 5 Flashcards
Inauguration
A ceremony in which the President takes AN OATH OF OFFICE (officially becomes President)
Cabinet
A body of advisors to the president
- They represent different DEPARTMENTS OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
- First Three Departments: TREASURY, STATE, WAR
Tariff
A TAX ON IMPORTED goods
- Goods coming INTO the country from other places
- Encourages people to buy AMERICAN goods
Precedent
An example to be followed by others in the future
-A president’s Farewell Address was a tradition started by George Washington
Alien
Non-citizens or IMMIGRANTS who came to the U.S.
Sedition
The crime of encouraging rebellion or speaking out against the government
- Examples: writings, publishing (in the news) or speaking publicly against the government
George Washington
First president of the United States
- Supported the FEDERALISTS
John Adams
Second President of the United States
- George Washington’s Vice President
- FEDERALIST
Alexander Hamilton
Secretary of the Treasury (dealt with country’s money) in Washington’s Presidency
- Leader of the FEDERALISTS
Thomas Jefferson
Secretary of State (dealt with other countries ) in Washington’s Presidency
- John Adams Vice President
- Leader of the REPUBLICANS
Henry Knox
Secretary of War (dealt with military ) in Washington’s Presidency
Edmund Randolph
Attorney General (top law enforcer) in Washington’s Presidency
Alexander Hamilton’s Financial Plan
Alexander Hamilton’s job was to create a FINANCIAL PLAN for the country as he was the Secretary of the Treasury. The plan had three parts
Part 1: Assume (pay off) the state debt
- The federal government would pay off the debt of the states (from the Revolutionary WAR!)
Paying off debt would establish credit (trust) for the country and give them financial stability - Other countries would then want to trade with America!
Part 2: Establish a National Bank
- Would create a place to store the country’s money
- The bank could give out loans to people to start businesses
- Establish a national currency (paper money)
Part 3: Taxes and Tariffs
- Excise taxes: government would tax luxury goods like whiskey (things people don’t need!)
- Protective Tariff: tax on imports or goods from other countries
- Encourages people to buy goods in America since they are cheaper!
This plan was passed by the government after making a COMPROMISE for where the capital was moved to:
- the state capital was moved to WASHINGTON D.C. (closer to the south!)
Key Events during Washington’s Presidency:
- Whiskey Rebellion
- Proclamation of Neutrality
- Washington’s Farewell Address
Whiskey Rebellion
- congress put an excise tax on whiskey (take on luxury goods)
- Farmers suffered because it made whiskey more difficult to sell (It was too expensive!)
- In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania protested by tarring and feathering tax collectors
- George Washington sent a militia to crush the rebellion
- Thomas Jefferson (Republican) was AGAINST THIS: it took away people’s right to protest
Proclamation of Neutrality
Issued in 1793—U.S. would not become involved in war between Great Britain and France
Washington’s Farewell Address
After two terms (8 years) as president (1796) George Washington gave a FAREWELL ADDRESS or message to the nation.
- He warned the country of THREATS that might affect the future:
- Warned about FOREIGN ALLIANCES:
a. Getting into alliances (or friendships) with other countries could lead the country into war
b. The country was new and needed to focus on itself - Warned about POLITICAL PARTIES:
a. Political parties and the “spirit of party” caused DIVISION and disrespect in the country
b. People COULD NOT AGREE on how to run the government— this would tear the country apart
Key Events During Adams’ Presidency:
- XYZ Affair
- Alien and Sedition Acts
- The Election of 1800
XYZ Affair
- Americans sent 3 delegates to France to negotiate terms of peace
- The French were seizing American ships and goods headed for England (French and British were fighting each other!)
- The French representative, Talleyrand wanted the following from the Americans to stop seizing American ships
- $250,000 bribe
- Loan to be given to the French government
- The Americans WOULD NOT do this-they would rather fight a war than pay a bribe! They demanded to be respected by other countries
Alien and Sedition Acts
- Passed against foreigners and people who were thought to be threatening the government
Alien Act: - Increased time to become an American citizen from 5 to 14
- Jail or deport aliens who threatened the government
Sedition Act: - Jailed/punished people who spoke or published in newspaper negative ideas about the government
- ** Ended up punishing Republican newspapers who spoke poorly about President Adams
- **TOOK AWAY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS (FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND PRESS
The Election of 1800
**Because of the Alien and Sedition Acts, JOHN ADAMS LOST RE-ELECTION FOR PRESIDENT IN 1800!
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Key People
Federalist: - Alexander Hamilton - George Washington Democratic-Republican: -Thomas Jefferson
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Strength of Government
Federalist: - STRONG national government Democratic-Republican: - WEAK national government - more power to the STATES
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Who Should Rule?
Federalist:
- Wealthy and well-educated men should rule
Democratic-Republican:
- Common and capable people should rule
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Thoughts on Human Nature
Federalist:
- Humans are naturally selfish
- Common people not fit to make decisions for the country
Democratic -Republican:
- Had good faith in the common and lower class people
- People can make decisions if they are well-informed
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Type of Economy
Federalist:
- Wanted an economy based on INDUSTRY and TRADE
- Wanted a NATIONAL BANK to give out loans and print money
Democratic-Republican
- Wanted an economy based on AGRICULTURE and FARMING
- DID NOT want a National Bank—Not stated in the Constitution
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: Interpretation of the Constitution
Federalists:
- LOOSE INTERPRETATION of the Constitution
- Can go outside of what the Constitution says: do whatever is “necessary or proper” for the government
Democratic-Republican
- STRICT INTERPRETATION of the Constitution:
- Only follow what the Constitution exactly says
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republican: France or Great Britain?
Federalist:
- PRO-BRITISH
Democratic-Republican
- PRO-FRENCH
