Washington and Adams

Question 1

Precedent

Answer 1

An action that sets the standard for similar situations

Question 2

Tariff

Answer 2

A tax on imported or exported items

Question 3

Neutrality

Answer 3

Not taking a side in a conflict (staying out of a conflict)

Question 4

Impressment

Answer 4

Mandatory military/naval service with or without notice

Question 5

Faction

Answer 5

Sub political groups within a government that push their own agenda rather than focus on the country’s welfare

Question 6

Credit

Answer 6

The idea that a purchase can be made with the trust that purchaser will pay the money later

Question 7

Debt

Answer 7

Owed money

Question 8

Sectionalism

Answer 8

Being more concerned with the interests of your particular region than with the problems and interests of the country

Question 9

Section

Answer 9

A group that is more concerned with the interests of their region than those of the country

Question 10

What advice did Washington give in his farewell address? (hint: there are five pieces)

Answer 10

• Strong, unified gov’t ensures peace, independence and financial success for our nation
• Political parties/factions bad for gov’t
• We should not permanently ally or make enemies with any foreign countries, foreign influence threat to democracy
• Military should not be too large, threat to liberty and our form of republican gov’t
• Don’t abuse national line of credit, avoid a lot of debt, since to pay off that debt taxes must be raised, nobody likes taxes

Question 11

What political parties formed and who headed each one?

Answer 11

Democratic Republican: Jefferson

Federalists: Hamilton

Question 12

What was the outcome of the 1796 election? What significance did the peaceful transfer of power have on the nation?

Answer 12

John Adams became president, Thomas Jefferson became Vice President. Washington peacefully giving up his power after two terms set the standard for all future presidents, and proved that we are a democracy, without a power hungry leader.

Question 13

Explain the situation with France and the XYZ Affair

Answer 13

After the Jay treaty was negotiated with Britain, France felt as if the USA had betrayed them, and began to capture hundreds of USA vessels. Though Adams sent three officials to France to negotiate, the French foreign minister Maurice de Talleyrand kept postponing negotiations. Three of his representatives (known as X, Y, Z) claimed that the only way the Americans could see the minister was to pay him $250,000 and give France a 10 million dollar loan. In 1798, the USA fought a quasi-war with France (as Adams refused to ask Congress for official war declaration), and in 1800, the Convention of 1800 was created, which allowed the USA to maintain neutrality, while returning to friendly terms with France. All ships seized by either side would be returned to the other as well.

Question 14

What were the key points of the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Answer 14

• Period before immigrants could become citizens was lengthened from 5 to 14 years
• President had the power to imprison or deport any foreigner believed to be dangerous to USA
• Crime to attack government with false, scandalous or malicious statements or writings