Who made up Washington’s Cabinet?
Jefferson (State), Hamilton (Treasury), Knox (War).
Set the precedent for future presidents having advisors.
What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 do?
Created the Supreme Court (6 justices) and lower federal courts.
Organized the new judicial branch.
Why was the Bill of Rights added?
To protect individual freedoms and convince Antifederalists to support the Constitution.
It limits government power.
What was Hamilton’s Financial Plan?
Pay off national and state debts, create a National Bank, raise money through tariffs/taxes.
Strengthened national credit and economy.
What was the debate over the National Bank about?
Jefferson believed it was unconstitutional (strict view); Hamilton said it was implied (loose view).
Washington sided with Hamilton, and the Bank was created.
What was Jefferson’s Agrarian Vision?
He believed farmers were the backbone of the republic. Favored small farms, state power, and ties with France.
What was the Proclamation of Neutrality (1793)?
Washington declared the U.S. would stay neutral between Britain and France.
Helped keep peace and protect trade.
What was the Whiskey Rebellion (1794)?
Farmers rebelled against Hamilton’s whiskey tax in Pennsylvania.
The government crushed it - showed federal strength.
What was Jay’s Treaty (1795)?
A deal with Britain to stop ship seizures and resolve issues.
Very unpopular because it didn’t stop all British interference.
What was the Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)?
Enslaved people in Haiti, led by Toussaint L’Ouverture, overthrew French rule.
Inspired enslaved people but scared U.S. slaveholders.
Who supported which political parties?
Federalists: wealthy, merchants, pro-British, strong central gov.
Republicans (Jeffersonians): farmers, pro-French, power to states.
What was the XYZ Affair (1797)?
French diplomats demanded bribes from American envoys.
Angered Americans and led to anti-French feelings.
What were the Alien and Sedition Acts (1798)?
Laws that limited free speech and made it harder for immigrants to vote or stay.
Meant to silence opposition to Federalists.
How did states respond to the Alien & Sedition Acts?
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions said states could nullify unfair federal laws (Compact Theory).
What was the ‘Revolution of 1800’?
Jefferson’s election - first peaceful transfer of power between parties.
‘We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists.’
What was the Treaty of Greenville (1795)?
Natives gave up most of Ohio to the U.S. after defeat.
Opened more land to white settlers.
What was Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
Established judicial review - Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
What was the Louisiana Purchase (1803)?
Jefferson bought land from France, doubling U.S. size.
He had to use a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Who were Lewis and Clark?
Explorers sent by Jefferson to map and study the new Louisiana Territory.
What was the Embargo Act of 1807?
Stopped all U.S. trade to avoid British and French attacks on ships.
Hurt American economy badly.
What were the causes of the War of 1812?
British impressment of sailors, attacks on ships, and British support of Native resistance.
Pushed by ‘War Hawks’ like Henry Clay.
What was the Hartford Convention (1814)?
Federalists met to protest the war and talk about amendments - some suggested secession.
Hurt the Federalist Party’s reputation.
What did the Treaty of Ghent (1814) do?
Ended the War of 1812 - no land changes, just peace.
Two weeks later, Andrew Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans.
What did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) decide?
The National Bank was constitutional; states can’t tax federal institutions.
Strengthened federal power.
