The Constitution
key themes
- Federalism
- effect = environment seems very different in each state
- Separation of Powers
- 3 branches of government
- Checks and Balances
- each branch can limit powers of other branches
Bill of Rights (what is it, 1, 4, 5, 6, 8)
- Bill of Rights = first 10 amendments to Constitution
- amendments: changes to the Constitution
- first amendment: freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly
- fourth amendment: no unreasonable search and seizure
- fifth amendment: protects against having to testify (the right to remain silent)
- sixth amendment: right to trial by jury
- eighth amendment: no cruel and unusual punishment
Washington’s Presidency
the year
first tasks (2): what act for second
first president of the US = George Washington (1789 - 1797)-
setting up executive branch
- setting up judicial branch
- congress passes Judiciary Act of 1789
- establishes Supreme Court with 6 members: 1 chief justice, 5 associate justices
Hamilton’s financial program (3)
2 subpoints for 3
- pay off national debt and have national government take over state debts
- impose high tariffs on imported goods to encourage Americans to buy domestically-made products and grow American companies
- create a national bank
- place to keep government funds
- centralize printing of money: change money supply to keep curency stable
Whiskey Rebellion (1794)
congress passes tax on whiskey
federal government mobilizes troops to put down rebellion
Washington’s Presidency: Foreign Afairs
France
- during Washington’s presidency: French Revolution
- 1793: Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington’s Presidency: Foreign Afairs
Britain
- following American Revolution / Peace of Paris, Britain continued to:
- have military posts in “Western” US
- search and seize American ships
- 1794: Chief Justice John Jay negotiate Jay Treaty
- withdrawal of British military forces
- left naval issue unresolved: would come up again in few years
Washington’s Presidency: Foreign Afairs
Spain
- extended influence into (real) western US
- catholic missions along California coast
- some cultural blending with Native American tribes in Southwest - Pickney Treaty
- sets boundary for Spanish Florida
- US gains more territory in southeast
- opens more of Mississippi River for trade
Washington’s Farewell Address (2)
- do NOT form political parties (factions)
- do NOT form permanent foreign alliances
John Adams’ Presidency dates
second president of the US = John Adams (1797-1801)
a couple key events during John Adams’ Presidency dates
XYZ Affair (1797-1798)
Aliens and Sedition Acts (1798)
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798-1799)
