Unit 3: First Five Presidents

John Adams

2nd president

Thomas Jefferson

3rd President of the United States; made the Louisiana Purchase in 1803; head of the Democratic Republicans; believed in strong state government/power; believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution

Era of Good Feelings

A name for President Monroe's two terms, a period of strong nationalism, economic growth, and territorial expansion. Since the Federalist party dissolved after the War of 1812, there was only one political party.

War of 1812

A war between the U.S. and Great Britain caused by American outrage over the impressment of American sailors by the British, the British seizure of American ships

Judicial Review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

XYZ Affair

An insult to the American delegation when they were supposed to be meeting French foreign minister, Talleyrand, but instead they were sent 3 officials Adams called "X,Y, and Z" that demanded $250,000 as a bribe to see Talleyrand.

Impressment

British practice of taking American sailors and forcing them into military service

Presidential Cabinet

Established by George Washington, a group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's election changed the direction of the government from Federalist to Democratic- Republican, so it was called a "revolution."

Washington's Farewell Address

Warned Americans not to get involved in European affairs, not to make permanent alliances, not to form political parties and to avoid sectionalism.

Alien and Sedition Acts

acts passed by federalists giving the government power to imprison or deport foreign citizens and prosecute critics of the government

Monroe Doctrine

an American foreign policy opposing interference in the Western hemisphere from outside powers

precedent

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty that ended the War of 1812 and maintained prewar conditions

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

Whiskey Rebellion

1794 protest against the government's tax on whiskey by backcountry farmers

Louisiana Purchase

1803 purchase of the Louisiana territory from France. Made by Jefferson, this doubled the size of the US.

Lewis and Clark

Sent on an expedition by Jefferson to gather information on the United States' new land and map a route to the Pacific. They kept very careful maps and records of this new land acquired from the Louisiana Purchase.

James Monroe

The fifth President of the United States (1817-1825).His presidency was marked by the acquisition of Florida (1819); the Missouri Compromise (1820); and the Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review