Unit 2 - Launching a New Nation

Question 1

Judiciary Act of 1789

Answer 1

Created a judicial structure
Provided for a supreme court
Chief justice
Five associate justices (increased over time)
Set up 3 federal circuit courts (increased over time)
Set up 13 federal district courts (increased over time)
Section 25 of the Judiciary Act
allowed state court decisions to be appealed to the Federal Court when questions of constitutionality arose
Ensured that federal laws remained the “supreme Law of the Land”

Question 2

Cabinet

Answer 2

Department heads, such as secretary of the treasury, attorney general, etc, became the president’s “chief advisors”/the Cabinet
The constitution provided George Washington the right to “require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officers in each of the executive departments”
Washington sought these opinions on a regular basis
14 additional departments have been added since Washington’s time

Question 3

Protective tariff

Answer 3

An import tax on goods produced in Europe
Was meant to encourage American production
Brought in a lot of revenue

Question 3

Democratic-Republicans

Answer 3

Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were the founders
Believed in state power rather than federal power

Question 4

Bank of the United States

Answer 4

Issued paper money
Handled tax receipts and other government funds
Some claimed that the bank would forge an unhealthy alliance between the gov’t and wealthy business interests
Some argued that Congress had no right to authorize a national bank

Question 4

Alexander Hamilton

Answer 4

Was born into poverty and joined the army during the Revolution
Was selected as secretary of the treasury by George Washington
His job was to set in order the nation’s finances and to strengthen the nation’s economy
Proposed a plan to manage the country’s debts and establish a national banking system
Disagreed with Jefferson, mainly on topics regarding Hamilton’s plan for the economy
Believed in a strong central government led by a prosperous (educated elite of upper class citizens)
Hamilton envisioned the U.S. as a country much like Britain with a strong central gov’t, commerce, and industry. More people from the north supported his views

Question 4

Two-party system

Answer 4

Federalists and democratic-republicans
Formed around the issue of power and size of the federal government

Question 5

Excise tax

Answer 5

A tax on a product’s manufacture, sale, or distribution
Was put on the manufacturing of whiskey

Question 6

Whiskey Rebellion

Answer 6

Reflected the tension between federal and regional interests
Sparked by federal excise tax on whiskey
Whiskey was a main source of income for farmers and the taxes angered them
These farmers attacked federal marshalls and threatened to secede from the union

Question 7

Federalists

Answer 7

Hamilton
Concentrated power in a federal gov’t
Fear of mob rule
Republic led by well-educated elite
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
National bank constitutional
Economy based on shipping and manufacturing
Payment of national and state debts (favoring creditors)
Supported by merchants, landowners, manufacturers, investors, lawyers, clergy

Question 8

description of democratic-republicans

Answer 8

Sharing power with state and local governments
Limited national government
Fear of absolute power and rule
Democracy of virtuous farmers and tradespeople
Strict interpretation of the constitution
National bank unconstitutional (strict interpretation)
Economy based on farming
Payments of only national debts
Supporters: farmers, tradespeople

Question 9

How would you judge President Washington’s decision to put two such opposed thinkers as Hamilton and Jefferson on his cabinet? (take into consideration Jefferson and Hamilton’s merits, philosophies, and conflicts)

Answer 9

I believe that Washington’s decision to put two opposed thinkers on his cabinet was strategic and helped to balance viewpoints in the gov’t. Hamilton was a federalist who advocated for a strong central government and a national bank. In contrast, Jefferson advocated for a limited national government and a sharing of power between state and local governments. Their conflicting viewpoints allowed for opinions to be balanced, thus allowing different ideas to be introduced and incorporated into the government.

Question 10

How was the Whiskey Rebellion an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its authority?

Answer 10

The whiskey rebellion was an opportunity for the federal government to demonstrate its authority because the federal government was able to respond to violent uprisings with a substantial militia force. Prior to the Constitution, the government was unable to form a militia to control protests and uprisings. The ability to raise a militia demonstrated the federal government’s new ability to enforce laws within state boundaries

Question 11

Would you have supported Hamilton’s economic plan? Explain why or why not. Think about the money problems and other problems the nation faced.

Answer 11

Hamilton’s plan included paying off national debt accumulated during the Revolution and formulating a National Bank to manage the country’s debts and major financial issues. Hamilton proposed to pay off foreign debts and issue new bonds to cover old ones. Under Hamilton’s plan, a strong central government and economy was supported, as it allowed for a stable national currency and took some debt off of the states.

Question 12

Neutrality

Answer 12

a statement that the United States would support neither side in a conflict
George Washington declared neutrality during the French Revolution despite it allyship with France

Question 13

Edmond Genet

Answer 13

A young diplomat sent forward by the French to win American support. Instead of following diplomatic procedure, he recruited Americans for the war effort against Britain, which outraged Washington. Genet remained in the United States and became a US citizen.

Question 14

Thomas Pinckney

Answer 14

US minister
Signed a treaty with Spain on October 27, 1795
federalist
Pinckney’s Treaty contained almost all assets that the US wished to acquire, such as all land claims (except for Florida) that Spain had east of the Mississippi. It also recognized the 31st parallel as a southern border of the US and the northern boundary of Florida. The Mississippi river was opened to traffic by Spanish subjects and US citizens, which allowed Americans to use the port of New Orleans

Question 15

Little Turtle

Answer 15

leader of A Miami Tribe that led a confederacy of Native American Groups. Josiah Hamar’s troops had a run-in with Little Turtle while trying to gain control over the area that would become Ohio

Question 16

John Jay

Answer 16

Chief justice of the supreme court at the time
Negotiated a treaty with Britain to determine with nation would control territories west of the Appalachian Mountains (the Northwest Treaty, Nov. 19 1794)
The Northwest Treaty was signed and the British agreed to evacuate their post in the Northwest Territory
The Treaty passed the senate, but many Americans were angered by the fact that it allowed Britain to continue fur trade along the Canadian border

Question 17

Sectionalism

Answer 17

Placing the interests of one region over those of the nation as a whole
People feared sectionalism after the election between Adams and Jefferson

Question 18

XYZ Affair

Answer 18

The French Directory (French executive branch) sent 3 low-level officials whom Adams referred to as ‘X, Y, and Z” demanded a $250,000 bribe as payment for seeing Talleyrand. This became known as the ‘XYZ Affair” and provoked a wave of anti-French feeling at home.

Question 19

Alien & Sedition Acts

Answer 19

immigrants associated with the Democratic-Republican party were seen as a threat to the gov’t. In order to counter this, the Alien and Sedition act was created.
The Aliens act raised the residence requirement for American citizenship from 5 years to 14 years and allowed the president to deport or jail any immigrant viewed as undesirable

Question 20

Nullification

Answer 20

Idea that states had the right to nullify/consider voiding any acts of Congress that they deemed unconstitutional.
Virginia and Kentucky viewed the Alien and Sedition Acts as unconstitutional and a violation of First Amendment rights

Question 21

Do you agree with the DemocraticRepublicans that the Alien and Sedition Acts were a violation of the First Amendment? Were they necessary? Support your opinion. Think About: the intent of the First Amendment, what was happening in Europe, and what was happening in America

Answer 21

The Alien and Sedition Acts violated the First Amendment because they restricted people’s abilities to speak out against the government by prosecuting those who did. The First Amendment intended to allow people to freely criticize the government, and the Sedition Act jailed people for expressing “false, scandalous, and malicious statements.” Under these terms, the government could essentially prosecute anyone who had opinions which did not align with federalist’s. In addition to their unconstitutionality, the Alien and Sedition Acts were unnecessary, as they were formed as a result of unjustified suspicion and fear.

Question 21

Should the United States have officially supported the French revolutionaries against the British? Support your opinion with examples from the text. Think About: Federalist and Republican attitudes toward France and Great Britain, the Reign of Terror, and U.S. gratitude to France for its support against Britain

Answer 21

Declaring neutrality on the French Revolution was justified because opinions on the revolution were distinctly split between the U.S.’s political parties, thus supporting only one side would divide the country and potentially cause conflict. Democratic-Republicans, were typically more supportive of the French because they wanted to honor the 1778 Treaty that declared alliance between the two nations. Conversely, the Federalists typically supported Britain. Although the U.S. was allied with France, supporting the French over the British during the French Revolution put the U.S. at risk for internal conflict between political parties.

Question 22

Why did Native American tribes engage in violent conflicts with Americans?

Answer 22

Native American tribes engaged in conflict with the Americans because settlers began unlawfully taking over and using native land. Specifically, Americans controlled a settlement in the Northwest Territory which engaged in conflict with natives.

Question 23

Who is Little Turtle?

Answer 23

Little Turtle was the chief of a tribe that engaged in conflict with Americans and was responsible for the majority of significant defeats of the American military.

Question 24

When did the Battle of Fallen Timbers occur? Who was involved in this battle?

Answer 24

The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place on August 20th, 1784 between Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the U.S. and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans.

Question 24

What modern day states make up the Northwest Territory?

Answer 24

Modern states that make up the Northwest Territory are Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota.

Question 25

How did the U.S. acquire this territory?

Answer 25

It was acquired from the Treaty of Paris

Question 26

How did Native Americans in this territory react to Americans settling there?

Answer 26

The Native Americans viewed the Americans as intruders on their land

Question 27

Explain the Grand Council's reaction to the American army. What action did they take?

Answer 27

The Grand Council decided that they wanted to continue with military action. After, Little Turtle gives Blue Jacket the leadership role in the Native American army.

Question 27

Explain the goal of General Anthony Wayne and the Legion of the U.S. as they made their way toward this territory.

Answer 27

Anthony Wayne was a revolutionary war hero who was chosen to lead the Legion of the U.S. His goal was to come up the Ohio river and provide safety to settlers living around these newly established areas as he made his way to the Northwest Territory. It took him one year to cover this distance.

Question 28

Describe the encounter between Little Turtle and his men and General Anthony Wayne's army.

Answer 28

Little Turtle had been watching Anthony Wayne and eventually attacked him and his legion. The natives were shocked because the American armies were stronger than previous armies they had encountered.

Question 29

Explain the circumstances that lead to the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

Answer 29

Anthony Wayne built a camp at the area he was attempting to reach and sent people out to settle in the Battle of Fallen Timbers area. As they settled, they were captured and brought back to the Native Americans village where they revealed to the Natives what Wayne’s battle plans were. As Wayne marched to this area, he started meeting Native American resistance, which led to the occurrence of a smaller battle. Eventually, this led to a larger battle where the Americans outmatched the native Americans and forced them to retreat.

Question 30

How did the British respond to the Native Americans who arrived at Fort Miamis?

Answer 30

The British decided that there would be no military intervention because that would essentially be considered a declaration of war on America.

Question 30

Explain the Native American response to the British.

Answer 30

In response to Britain's refusal to intervene with their military, the native Americans were upset and reevaluated their alliance with Britain.

Question 31

Explain the significance of the Treaty of Greenville.

Answer 31

The US sent its representatives to meet with the leaders of tribes. This treaty was the first in history to accurately deal with the land crisis with Native Americans. This treaty opened up the opportunity for Indian Removal Acts and Manifest Destiny.

Question 32

How did the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the subsequent Treaty of Greenville affect U.S. foreign relations with Native American tribes and European powers in the late 18th century?

Answer 32

The Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville negatively impacted foreign relations with Native Americans and European powers by claiming previously native-owned land and providing the government with the opportunity to force tribes to vacate land. The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place on August 20th, 1794 and was the result of a dispute between Anthony Wayne’s Legion of the U.S. and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans over the Northwest Territory, which had been unlawfully settled in by Americans. Anthony Wayne’ main priority was to follow the Ohio River and provide safety to settlers living around newly established areas whilst marching to the Northwest Territory. Wayne was faced with Native American resistance, thus eventually leading to the Battle of Fallen Timbers. Because Britain refused to declare war against America in support of the Native Americans, the Natives were forced to sign the Treaty of Greenville. In signing the treaty, Native Americans gave the American government the opportunity to claim native land and implement Indian Removal Acts. Allowed Americans to push further out west through manifest destiny, etc

Question 32

Nationalism in the late 18th century referred to a strong sense of pride and loyalty to the United States as a unified nation, with a focus on expanding its territory and asserting its sovereignty. How did events like the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville reflect the growing sense of American nationalism during this period?

Answer 32

The Battle Of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greenville reflect the growing sense of American Nationalism during the time period by expanding American territories. The Battle of Fallen Timbers, which occurred on August 20th, 1794, resulted in the Treaty of Greenville. This treaty secured white settlement of previously Native American territory, thus expanding settlers' claim over American land. The Treaty of Greenville also ended the conflict between Anthony Wayne’s Legion and the Western Confederacy of Native Americans and removed confederacy claims in Ohio. Demonstrated the US military’s strength and reduced foreign influence reflected the nation’s growing confidence Nationalism = patriotism Native were less powerful - boosted american confidence

Question 33

Which political party did John Adams support? Which political party did Thomas Jefferson support?

Answer 33

John Adams was a Federalist and moderate and Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican.

Question 33

Background Information on Little Turtle

Answer 33

Post revolution America was riddled with conflict as settlers began encroaching on Native lands, unlawfully ceded to the United States by Great Britain. Rejecting American control and settlement in the Northwest Territory, a confederation of Great Lakes tribes, including Detroit and St. Joseph Potawatomi, engaged in a campaign of violent raids that culminated into a series of battles, ultimately warranting U.S. military action. Led by the renowned Miami warrior and headman Mshikenikwe, or Little Turtle, the tribesmen dealt the most significant defeats in American military history to date. The Northwest Territory was the first organized territory created by the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The territory was defined as east of the Mississippi River, northwest of the Ohio River, south of the Great Lakes, and west of Pennsylvania. The Northwest Territory included what is now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and the northeast part of Minnesota.

Question 34

What caused Thomas Jefferson to become John Adams’ vice president?

Answer 34

Thomas Jefferson became vice president because he ran against Adams in the presidential election and lost.

Question 35

How did France respond to Jay’s Treaty during Adams’ presidency?

Answer 35

The French were outraged because they viewed Jay’s treaty as an Anglo-American alliance. As a result, France suspended diplomatic relations with the U.S. at the end of 1796 and seized more than 300 American ships over the following two years.

Question 35

What do you think caused the XYZ Affair?

Answer 35

I think that France’s suspense of diplomatic relations with America led to the XYZ affair

Question 35

How did John Adams respond to the international crisis with France?

Answer 35

In response to the international crisis with France, John Adams sent a diplomatic mission to France and requested a meeting to be held to discuss the matter.

Question 36

What did the French agents tell the American diplomats? What was this known as in the United States?

Answer 36

French agents told the American diplomats that in order to negotiate, America must accept a bribe. This was known as the XYZ Affair in the U.S.

Question 37

What slogan did the Federalists use to weaken popular support for France? What does the slogan mean?

Answer 37

“Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.”

Question 38

What did the Federalists do to prepare for war against France?

Answer 38

federalists who controlled the Congress as well as the presidency raised new taxes, enlarged the army and navy, and increased power within the central gov’t.

Question 39

What country did the United States act as an unofficial ally only 15 years after the Revolutionary War?

Answer 39

Great Britain

Question 40

What enhanced Adams’ public standing?

Answer 40

Adams anti-french policies were popular and widely supported

Question 40

Do you think John Adams should have supported war with France? Explain your answer.

Answer 40

Adams should not have supported war with France because Washington had declared neutrality and wished to remain uninvolved.

Question 41

What were the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Answer 41

the Alien and Sedition acts gave power to the gov’t to deport foreigners and make it difficult for immigrants to vote and prevented people from openly criticizing the gov’t

Question 41

Who did the Federalists see as a threat to American security?

Answer 41

Federalists saw immigrants and foreigners as a threat to American security

Question 42

What groups had been core supporters of the Democratic-Republicans?

Answer 42

non-English ethnic groups and people in the farming and similar industries

Question 42

What happened to over 20 Republican newspaper editors under the Sedition Act?

Answer 42

they were arrested and imprisoned

Question 43

What did the Sedition Act prohibit?

Answer 43

public opposition to the government

Question 43

What could happen to those who expressed their opposition to the government?

Answer 43

those who opposed the government were fined and imprisoned

Question 44

Which Amendment did the Sedition Act violate?

Answer 44

the first amendment

Question 45

What did the Virginia and Kentucky legislatures do in opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Answer 45

passed resolutions asserting federal laws invalid within their states

Question 45

Who was the father of the Constitution that now was wary of a strong central government?

Answer 45

James Maddison

Question 46

Why did the Federalists pass harsh laws like the Alien and Sedition Acts?

Answer 46

because they feared foreigners were a danger to the country

Question 47

How do you think Americans would react today if the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed?

Answer 47

Americans would be enraged if the Alien and Sedition Acts were passed today because of its unconstitutional and biased nature.

Question 47

What precedent did the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures establish? How would this eventually affect the nation?

Answer 47

Kentucky and Virginia legislatures established the Kentucky legislature, which placed states above the federal gov’t and helped to reject federal laws