U.S. Government Lessons 2-4 Study Guide

Topic 6, Lessons 2-4 Study Guide

• Cabinet: Group of advisors to the President
• John Adams: First vice president of the United States
• Judiciary Act of 1789: Allowed states to create their own laws and courts
• Department of State: Deals with other nations
• George Washington: First President of the United States
• Alexander Hamilton: First Secretary of the Treasury
• Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the Constitution
• Whiskey Rebellion: Violent uprising over a whiskey tax; Washington sent a strong force to demonstrate the government's power.
• Louisiana Purchase: The U.S. bought the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, doubling the size of the country.
• States' Rights: Principle that the federal government's powers are limited to those explicitly granted by the Constitution; Republicans believed in this.
• Little Turtle: Defeated General Arthur St. Clair
• Battle of Fallen Timbers/Treaty of Greenville: Crushed Native American hopes of keeping land in present-day Ohio.
• Proclamation of Neutrality: Prohibited Americans from fighting in wars and barred French and British warships from American ports.
• Federalists' Views: Believed in "implied" powers and a national bank.
• Democratic-Republicans/Republicans: Feared strong central government; believed in states' rights and strict interpretation of the Constitution.
• Lewis and Clark Expedition: Led the exploration of the Louisiana Territory.
• Alien and Sedition Acts: Allowed the government to imprison or deport those perceived as dangerous; supported by Federalists, opposed by Republicans.
• Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions: Argued states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
• Caucus: Meeting of a political party to choose candidates for upcoming elections.
• XYZ Affair: Diplomatic crisis with France.
• Pinckney's Treaty: Gave Americans free navigation of the Mississippi River and the right to trade in New Orleans.
• Nullification: Legally overturning a law.
• Representative government: Elected officials rule in the people's name.
• Aliens: Residents of a country who are not citizens.
• John Marshall: Chief Justice who strengthened the Supreme Court's power
• Election of 1800: The House of Representatives chose the President.
• Sedition: Incitement of resistance to lawful authority.
• Custom duties: Taxes on imported goods.
• Impressment: Forcing American crews into the British navy.
• Tariffs: Taxes on imported goods
• Marbury v. Madison: Established the principle of judicial review.
• Washington's views on political parties: Believed they would divide the nation.
• 7 Key principles of the Constitution: Popular sovereignty, individual rights, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, and republic form of government.
• Principles of judicial review: The Constitution is the supreme law, other laws must be consistent, and judicial branch can declare laws unconstitutional.
• Personal attacks on candidates in 1800 election: Federalists criticized Jefferson, and Republicans warned about Federalist plans.