US History Chapter 10

sedition

conduct or speech inciting people to rebel against the authority of a state or monarch.

French Revolution

1789 - late 1790s as Napoleon Bonaparte began rising. During this period, French citizens tore down and redesigned their country's political landscape, uprooting centuries-old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system. Influenced by Enlightenment ideals, particularly the concepts of popular sovereignty and inalienable rights. Although it failed to achieve all of its goals and at times degenerated into a chaotic bloodbath, the movement played a critical role in shaping modern nations by showing the world the power inherent in the will of the people.

Jay's Treaty

1794-95. On November 19, 1794 representatives of the United States and Great Britain signed Jay's Treaty, which sought to settle outstanding issues between the two countries that had been left unresolved since American independence.

bonds

A debt security issued by a government to support government spending, most often issued in the country's domestic currency. Government debt is money owed by any level of government and is backed by the full faith of the government. Federal government bonds in the United States include: the savings bond, Treasury bond, Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), and others.

protective tariff

A duty imposed on imports to raise their price, making them less attractive to consumers and thus protecting domestic industries from foreign competition.

Washington DC (District of Columbia)

A federal district of the eastern United States on the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland. Coextensive with the city of Washington, it was established by congressional acts of 1790 and 1791 on a site selected by George Washington.

George Washington (what role is he in now...)

Persuaded that his election would help seal support for the new government, Washington reluctantly agreed to serve as the nation's first president. He compared his feelings about taking up the burdens of public service to "those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution."

Democratic

Republicans (political party) - formed by Thomas Jefferson and others who believed in an agrarian-based, decentralized,democratic government. The party was established to oppose the Federalists who had supported and pushed through the ratification of the US Constitution.

Bank of the United States (the first one!)

The First Bank of the United States was needed because the government had a debt from the Revolutionary War, and each state had a different form of currency. It was built while Philadelphia was still the nation's capital. Alexander Hamilton thought up the bank to handle the huge war debt — and to create a standard form of currency.

Proclamation of Neutrality

a formal announcement issued by U.S. President George Washington in May 1793, declaring the nation neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain. It threatened legal proceedings against any American providing assistance to any country at war.

Embargo Act of 1807

a general Embargo that made any and all exports from the United States illegal. It was sponsored by President Thomas Jefferson and enacted by Congress. The goal was to force Britain and France to respect American rights during the Napoleonic Wars.

caucus

a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement.

isolationism

a policy of remaining apart from the affairs or interests of other groups, especially the political affairs of other countries.

foreign policy

a policy pursued by a nation in its dealings with other nations, designed to achieve national objectives.

XYZ Affair

a political and diplomatic episode in 1797 and 1798, early in the administration of John Adams, involving a confrontation between the United States and Republican France that led to an undeclared war called the Quasi-War.

alien

a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization (distinguished from citizen ): a foreigner.

Pinckney's Treaty

also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo or the Treaty of Madrid, was signed in San Lorenzo de El Escorial on October 27, 1795 and established intentions of friendship between the United States and Spain.

Whiskey Rebellion

also known as the Whiskey Insurrection, was a tax protest in the United States beginning in 1791, during the presidency of George Washington. The so-called "whiskey tax" was the first tax imposed on a domestic product by the newly formed federal government.

precedent

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

John Adams (what role is he in now....)

elected Vice President of the United States under Geo. Washington in 1789, and was elected President in 1796. Adams was a Federalist and this made him an arch-rival of Thomas Jefferson and his Republican party.

partisan

is a committed member of a political party. In multi-party systems, the term is used for politicians who strongly support their party's policies

nullify

make legally null and void; invalidate; cancel

Alexander Hamilton (his role now....)

nominated by Washington and confirmed by the Senate as the Secretary of the Treasury (1789 - 1796)

Federalist (political party)

originated in opposition to the Democratic-Republican Party in America during President George Washington's first administration. Known for their support of a strong national government, the Federalists emphasized commercial and diplomatic harmony with Britain following the signing of the 1794 Jay Treaty.

Alien & Sedition Acts

our bills passed by the Federalist dominated 5th United States Congress, and signed into law by Federalist President John Adams in 1798.[1] They made it harder for an immigrant to become a citizen (Naturalization Act), allowed the president to imprison and deport noncitizens who were deemed dangerous (Alien Friends Act) or who were from a hostile nation (Alien Enemies Act), and criminalized making false statements that were critical of the federal government (Sedition Act).

speculator

people who analyze and forecast futures price movement, trading contracts with the hope of making a profit.Speculators put their money at risk and must be prepared to accept outright losses in the futures market.

states' rights

political powers reserved for the U.S.state governments rather than the federal government according to the United States Constitution, reflecting especially the enumerated powers of Congress and the Tenth Amendment.

Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions

political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799, in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional.

impressment

the act of taking men into a navy by force and with or without notice. Navies of several nations used forced recruitment by various means. "The Press" or "The Press Gang"

national debt

the amount owed by the federal government of the United States. The measure of the public debt is the value of the outstanding Treasury securities at a point of time that have been issued by the Treasury and other federal government agencies.

Presidential Election of 1796

the first test of whether the nation could transfer power through a contested election. The Federalists chose Vice President John Adams as their presidential candidate, and the Republicans selected Thomas Jefferson.

inauguration

the formal admission of someone to office.

cabinet

the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States, who are generally the heads of the federal executive departments. The existence of the Cabinet dates back to the first President of the United States, George Washington, who appointed a Cabinet of four people:Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson; Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton; Secretary of War Henry Knox; and Attorney General Edmund Randolph to advise him and to assist him in carrying out his duties. All Cabinet members are nominated by the President and then presented to the Senate for confirmation or rejection by a simple majority. If approved, they are sworn in and then begin their duties.

neutrality

the state of not supporting or helping either side in a conflict, disagreement, etc.; impartiality.

Washington's Farewell Address

written to convince the American people that his service was no longer necessary. Despite his confidence that the country would survive without his leadership, Washington used the majority of the letter to offer advice as a "parting friend" on what he believed were the greatest threats to the destruction of the nation.[