Early Republic Cheat Sheet
George Washington
Set many precedents as 1st President
Unwritten Constitution – Things our government does out of custom and tradition even though there is no mention of
them in the Constitution – examples - Political Parties, President’s Cabinet
1st Political Parties created because of differences in his cabinet
Hamilton vs. Jefferson
Hamilton’s Financial Plan – Excise tax (on Whiskey caused Whiskey Rebellion), National Bank, high tariff
Jefferson opposes National Bank arguing it is unconstitutional
Strict vs loose interpretation of Constitution
Strict (Jefferson) – Govt can ONLY do what the Constitution says it can do
Loose (Hamilton) – Govt can do a lot more because of the elastic (or necessary and proper) clause
Hamilton Wins – National bank will help stabilize the American economy and lead to prosperity
Washington’s Foreign Policy
NEUTRALITY – All the early presidents favored a policy of neutrality in order to preserve newly won independence
Thomas Jefferson
Also remained NEUTRAL in European conflicts/crisis
Biggest achievement was purchase of Louisiana. However, this purchase requires a loose interpretation of the
Constitution
Louisiana was important because it allowed the U.S. to use the Port of New Orleans and the Mississippi river to transport
U.S. agricultural products
Monroe Doctrine – issued to prevent European nations from future colonization in Latin America.
Court Cases
Judicial Review – Power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional. First used in Marbury v. Madison
Gibbons v Ogden – based on the federal governments right to regulate interstate commerce
Andrew Jackson
Greatly expanded the power of the Presidency (even given nickname King Andrew) – examples: used veto power often,
replaces government workers with his supporters (spoils system), removed Native Americans from South to West of the
Mississippi River (Trail of Tears)