Study Guide – Nation’s Early Beginnings
1. Who was the first President?
George Washington
2. What is a precedent?
Prior example
3. What group did Washington create to advise him?
cabinet
4. The first political parties developed around what
key issue?
Creating a national bank
5. In order to help establish a strong economy, print
paper money and serve as a deposit for national
revenue, what did Hamilton want to create?
A national bank
6. There was a great debate over the creation of the
National Bank in the late 18th century. What
was biggest problem with creating a National
Bank?
The power to create it was not mentioned in the
Constitution
7. What are some of the key beliefs of the
Federalist Party?
Strong national gov’t, economy based on
manufacturing, no faith in common people but
belief in educated elite best suited for gov’t,
loose interpretation of Constitution, lower
tariffs to enhance trade with foreigners and
American manufacturing, founded by Alexander
Hamilton and others
8. What are some of the key beliefs of the AntiFederalist Party?
Founded by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and
others, strongly opposed to National Bank
believing it unconstitutional, favored a
republican form of gov’t, favored economy
based on agricultural interests, believes in
common people
9. How did the U.S. react to the latest British and
French war?
Divided support. Northerners involved in trade
supported British, others (some Southerners)
supported French because of idea of republic
and revolution.
10. What precedent for future Presidents did
Washington set at his retirement?
Not serving for life
11. What two things did Washington warn the nation
about?
Getting involved in other nation’s affairs (stay
neutral) and avoid the chaos of political parties.
12. What were the names of the first two political
parties?
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans
13. Name the group led by Alexander Hamilton?
Federalists
14. Name the group led by Thomas Jefferson and
James Madison?
Democratic- Republicans
15. What type of government did Hamilton’s group
support?
Strong, central, federal gov’t
16. What role did Jefferson’s group want the
government to play?
Limited – highly responsive to the common people
17. Who ran in the 1796 election?
Federalist: Adams also Pinckney. DemocraticRepublicans – Thomas Jefferson also Aaron Burr
18. Who became the 2nd President?
John Adams
19. What problem was there with the Vice-President
that term?
Vice President Thomas Jefferson was of the other
political party (Democratic Republicans) than
president John Adams (Federalist)
20. Name the scandal that involved the French and a
bribe demand?
XYZ Affair - $
21. What laws passed by the Federalists limited
criticism of the government?
Alien and Sedition Acts
22. Which states objected to the laws with written
resolutions?
Va and Kentucky
23. The idea of a state ignoring an unconstitutional
law is called?
nullification
24. What happened in the election of 1800? What did
it prove?
Tie between Jefferson and Burr. Proved needed to
vote for VP and President separately.Amendment 12 - *power can be transferred
without violence
25. Who wins the 1800 election?
Thomas Jefferson
26. What was Jefferson’s philosophy of government?
Less gov’t the better, reduce navy, reduce army
27. What Supreme Court case began the power of
Judicial Review?
Marbury v Madison
28. Typically, how did the John Marshall Court make
its decisions when it came to issues about the
power of the National Government?
Maintain the power of the National Gov’t
29. Which court case stated that government
institutions could not tax each other?
McCulloch b. Maryland
30. What lands did Jefferson acquire for the nation?
Doubled the nation size – Louisiana to Pacific
31. Who did Jefferson send to explore these new
lands? What was their purpose?
Lewis and Clark under the Corps of Discovery.
Scientific investigation of resources of the
land.
32. Who was the Native American (First American)
woman who served as a guide and interpreter
during the Lewis and Clark Expedition?
Sacajawea
33. What Indian leader tried to unite Indians into a
confederation?
Tecumseh
34. Name the famous battle where the Indians were
defeated by William Henry Harrison?
Battle of Tippecanoe
35. British sailors would force sailors on American
vessels to join the British Navy in the early
1800’s. What was this was called?
impressment
36. What group eventually began to encourage war
against Britain?
War hawks
37. When did the war with Britain begin?
1812
38. Who was president when the War of 1812 began?
James Madison
39. The British managed to partially destroy which
U.S. city?
Washington D.C.
40. What major battle did the Americans under
Andrew Jackson win?
Battle of New Orleans
41. As a key result of the War of 1812, the U.S. was
able to claim land in which territory?
Oregon
42. What Treaty ended the war?
Treaty of Ghent