The Federalist Era Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the National Bank set up by?

Alexander Hamilton (correct)

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

James Madison

What type of tax is an excise tax?

A tax on whiskey

What do tariffs refer to?

A tax put on imported goods

What does loose construction of the Constitution mean?

Using the elastic clause for flexibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the main principle of strict construction?

Following the Constitution word for word Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by assumption of debts?

The national government took on all of the state debts Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Funding at Par' refer to?

Paying of government bonds at face value Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first president of the United States?

George Washington Signup and view all the answers

What did George Washington establish regarding presidential advisers?

The cabinet Signup and view all the answers

Who were members of George Washington's cabinet?

Knox, Hamilton, Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

What practice did George Washington set up regarding international affairs?

Benevolent procrastination Signup and view all the answers

Who commanded the American soldiers at the Battle of Fallen Timbers?

Anthony Wayne Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Battle of Fallen Timbers?

The Americans defeated a group of Native Americans Signup and view all the answers

What did the Treaty of Greenville establish?

Territory in Ohio for goods Signup and view all the answers

What were war bonds used for?

To increase military funding Signup and view all the answers

Who was James Madison's political affiliation?

Originally a Federalist Signup and view all the answers

What was the Whiskey Rebellion a response to?

Hamilton's excise tax Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the First Party System?

Battles between Republicans and Federalists Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leader of the Republicans?

Thomas Jefferson Signup and view all the answers

What was the Federalists' goal?

A strong national government Signup and view all the answers

What defines an agrarian society?

An economy based on farming Signup and view all the answers

What defines a commercial society?

An economy based on trade and industry Signup and view all the answers

What sparked the French Revolution?

Peasants rose up against the monarchy Signup and view all the answers

Who was Citizen Genet?

An ambassador from France Signup and view all the answers

What did Jay's Treaty achieve?

Established most favored nation status for Britain Signup and view all the answers

What was the First Rapprochement?

A period of relative peace between Britain and America Signup and view all the answers

What was Pinckney's Treaty known for?

Fixing the border with Florida and allowed access to the Mississippi Signup and view all the answers

What did George Washington's Farewell Address warn against?

Political parties and foreign entanglements Signup and view all the answers

Who was the second President of the United States?

John Adams Signup and view all the answers

What did the 12th Amendment change?

How Presidents and Vice Presidents are elected Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the Quasi-War?

A state of undeclared hostility between France and America Signup and view all the answers

Who was Talleyrand?

Prime Minister for France Signup and view all the answers

What was the XYZ Affair?

An event involving French officials demanding bribes from American diplomats Signup and view all the answers

What did the Alien and Sedition Acts aim to do?

Suppress criticism of the government Signup and view all the answers

What did the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions assert?

States could nullify unconstitutional laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the Compact Theory?

The idea that states created the nation and should judge federal authority Signup and view all the answers

Who was Matthew Lyons?

First person imprisoned for sedition against President Adams Signup and view all the answers

What was the Revolution of 1800?

The peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Republicans Signup and view all the answers

Who was Aaron Burr?

Jefferson's Vice President who killed Hamilton in a duel Signup and view all the answers

What was the Tammany Society?

The first political machine in NYC Signup and view all the answers

What did the Judiciary Act of 1801 aim to do?

Minimize the number of Supreme Court justices Jefferson could appoint Signup and view all the answers

What are 'Midnight Judges'?

Judges appointed by John Adams at the end of his presidency Signup and view all the answers

What was the verdict of Marbury v. Madison?

Established the right of judicial review Signup and view all the answers

What is judicial review?

The right of the Supreme Court to determine a law's constitutionality Signup and view all the answers

What is a writ of mandamus?

An order for the courts to compel executives to act Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

National Bank

Established by Alexander Hamilton to provide a secure place for the government’s funds.
Initial capitalization included $2 million from the government and $8 million from investors.

Excise Tax

A tax imposed specifically on whiskey.
Disproportionately affected small farmers as Hamilton strategized that larger distillers would absorb the cost more effectively.

Tariffs

Taxes applied to imported goods to protect American industry.

Loose Construction vs. Strict Construction

Loose Construction: Advocates argue for flexibility in interpreting the Constitution, allowing for implied powers beyond the text.
Strict Construction: Emphasizes adhering closely to the Constitution's explicit wording.

Assumption of Debts

Policy where the national government assumed all state debts, aiming to bolster the credit of the United States.

Funding at Par

Refers to paying government bonds at their face value to current holders, rather than original purchasers.

George Washington

The United States' first president, known for maintaining neutrality in international conflicts.

Cabinet

Precedent set by Washington where a group of advisors assists the president in governance.

Key Cabinet Members

Knox, Hamilton, and Jefferson were prominent members and old acquaintances of Washington.

Benevolent Procrastination

A strategy initiated by Washington to avoid entanglement in international affairs until the U.S. was stronger.

Anthony Wayne

General in charge during the Battle of Fallen Timbers, known for his fierce leadership style.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Marked a significant victory for American forces over Native Americans, highlighting British support for Indigenous groups.

Treaty of Greenville

Agreement between the U.S. and Native Americans ceding territory in Ohio in exchange for goods.

War Bonds

Financial instruments sold by the government to fund military campaigns.

James Madison

Initially a Federalist, he later opposed abuses of power and joined the Democratic-Republicans.

James Monroe

A Democratic-Republican and Jefferson’s ambassador to France, opposing treaties with Britain and Spain.

Whiskey Rebellion

A revolt by Pennsylvania farmers against the excise tax, suppressively quelled by Washington leading 15,000 militia.

First Party System

The political struggle between the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans for control of the government.

Republican Party

Established in response to the Federalists; led by Jefferson with a pro-French, agrarian, and strict constructionist philosophy.

Federalist Party

The original political party, led by Hamilton, advocating for a strong national government and loose interpretation of the Constitution.

Agrarian vs. Commercial Society

Agrarian Society: Economy primarily based on agriculture.
Commercial Society: Economy focused on trade and industry.

French Revolution

An uprising that resulted in the overthrow of the monarchy, leading to a new, authoritarian regime.

Citizen Genet

French ambassador who attempted to recruit Americans for military actions against England and Spain without Washington's approval.

Jay's Treaty

A pivotal agreement that established peace between the U.S. and Britain while addressing trade and territorial issues.

First Rapprochement

Refers to the period of improved relations between Britain and America following Jay's Treaty.

Pinckney's Treaty

Treaty defining the border with Florida and granting Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River.

Washington's Farewell Address

Advocated for isolationist policies and warned against the dangers of political parties.

John Adams

The second President, known for his federalist stance and facing criticism that contributed to the decline of his party.

12th Amendment

Altered the presidential election process to prevent candidates from opposing political parties from being elected together.

Quasi-War

An undeclared naval conflict between the U.S. and France resulting from tensions following Jay's Treaty.

Talleyrand

A skilled French Prime Minister who adeptly navigated France's political upheavals.

XYZ Affair

Diplomatic incident involving French demands for bribes from American negotiators, rousing national outrage.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws aimed at suppressing dissent against the Federalists, backfiring and harming public perception of the party.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Political statements asserting states' rights to nullify unconstitutional federal laws in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

Compact Theory

The belief that states have the authority to judge federal authority and actions, articulated by John C. Calhoun.

Matthew Lyons

First person imprisoned under the Sedition Act; notable for continuing political involvement even while incarcerated.

Revolution of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power from Federalists to Democratic-Republicans, a significant democratic milestone.

Aaron Burr

Jefferson's vice president, known for his controversial actions including killing Hamilton in a duel and treasonous activities.

Tammany Society

The first political machine in the U.S., established in New York City by Aaron Burr.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Act aimed at maintaining Federalist influence within the judicial system by adding more Federalist judges.

Midnight Judges

Federal judges appointed by Adams at the last minute to secure Federalist control of the courts.

Marbury v. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review, asserting the court's authority over congressional legislation.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

Writ of Mandamus

A court order compelling an executive to perform a duty; deemed unconstitutional in Marbury v. Madison.

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Description

Explore key terms and definitions from the Federalist Era in American history through these flashcards. Comprehend essential concepts like the National Bank, Excise Tax, and Tariffs that shaped the early United States. Improve your understanding and retention of this crucial historical period.