United States History
Standard 5 Ch. 6
Study Guide Review
Who was elected the first
president of the United States?
George Washington was elected
the first president in 1789.
What steps did President Washington
and Congress take to establish a new
government?
Since there were no
precedents, Washington and
Congress filled in the details
with the Judiciary Acts of 1789
and creating the cabinet.
What was the significance of the
Judiciary Act of 1789?
In 1789 a major act of Congress established the
Federal Judicial System * The Judicial Act of 1789.
It created a supreme court--consisting of a Chief
Justice and five associate justices. It also
established federal circuit and district courts
which allowed state court decisions involving the
Federal Constitution to be appealed to a federal
Court.
Why did federal law have to be “the
supreme law of the land” in the new
nation?
If states could pass laws that
contradicted federal law, the
authority
of
the
federal
government might be under
mined
and
this
would
jeopardize the stability of the
union.
What is a cabinet? What departments
compromised the nation’s first cabinet? List
their names and the functions of each
department.
The cabinet is a group of
advisors who are part of the
executive branch of the
government. It only
consisted of four (4)
members under George
Washington.
Thomas Jefferson (Author of
Declaration of Independence ) was the
Secretary of State. This department
deals with foreign affairs.
 Current Secretary of State: John Kerry
Henry Knox- Secretary of War.
Authorized to handle military matters.
 Current Secretary of Defense-Charles
Timothy “Chuck” Hagel.
Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of
Treasury. He was authorized to
manage finances.
Current Secretary of Treasury- Jack Lew
Edmund Randolph was the Attorney
General. He served as chief lawyer of
the Federal Government.
 Current Attorney General – Loretta Lynch.
What were the differences between
Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s views of
government? (Background Info.)
 There was a split in Washington’s first
cabinet. Thomas Jefferson wanted
strong state governments and his
followers called themselves
Republicans.

 Alexander Hamilton envisioned a
strong central government and strong
economy and his followers called
themselves Federalists.
What were the differences between
Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s views of
government?
Alexander Hamilton’s views:
 Wanted a strong central government.
 Wanted an economy that would help with
trade and industry.
 Wanted a bank of the U.S.
 Distrusted the common people.
What were the differences between
Hamilton’s and Jefferson’s views of
government?
Thomas Jefferson’s views:
 Wanted a weak central government.
 Wanted an economy that favored farmers.
 Thought the Bank of the U.S. was
unconstitutional.
 Trusted the common people.
 Had a strict interpretation of the
Constitution.
What were the main components of
Hamilton’s economic plan?
 #1 Economy should be funded by both the
Federal government and wealthy private
investors.
 #2 The bank would issue paper money and
handle tax receipts.
 #3 The economic plan was to pay off national
debts from the Revolutionary War.
 #4 This would tie the wealthy investors to
the nation’s success of stabilizing the
financial part of the country.
Why did the new nation need to pay off
its debts?
If the country demonstrated
that the new government was
financially responsible it would
show the creditors, including
foreign governments the
country was credible. It would
also bolster the government’s
reputation.
How did the nation’s capital come to be
located in Washington, D.C.?
 The nation’s capital moved to the
location of Washington, D.C. because
many politicians wanted to win the
support of the debt problem from the
southern states. Madison and
Jefferson believed that a southern
site for the capital would make the
government more responsive to their
interest.
Washington, D.C.
What were the main differences between the
Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans?
Federalists
 *Wanted a strong central government
 *Wanted the wealthy and elite to contribute
to the national bank
 *Received support from wealthy investors
 *Wanted an economy based on trade and
industry
 *Supported loose construction of the
Constitution.
What were the main differences between the
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans?
Democratic-Republicans
 *Wanted strong state governments
 *Opposed a National Bank
 *Received support from farmers and
southerners
 *Wanted economy based on
agriculture
 *Supported a strict construction of
the Constitution
What prompted the Whiskey
Rebellion and how did it end?
 In 1789, Congress passed a
protective tariff, an import tax on
goods produced in Europe. This was
their way of encouraging American
production of goods. Farmers in
western Pennsylvania found that the
most economical way to transport
their (corn) harvest was to first distill
it into whiskey and then bring it to
market.
What prompted the Whiskey
Rebellion and how did it end?
The federal government passed an
excise tax on the whiskey (extra tax
on whiskey). The tax discouraged
the sale of whiskey which hurt the
farmers’ economy and the farmers
revolted. This revolt was quickly
put down by 15,000 militiamen who
were called by the government.
How was the Whiskey Rebellion an opportunity
for the Federal government to demonstrate its
authority?
George Washington’s orders to
end revolt by exercising his
right as Commander in Chief
(authority to act within a state).
It also showed that the new
government would act decisively
in times of a crisis.
What was America’s reaction to
the French Revolution?
 Most Americans initially support the
French Revolution because it was
inspired by the ideal of Republican
rule (American Revolution). In this
revolution the French set out to
create a government based on the will
of the people.
Why did the United States want to
maintain its neutrality?
 There was a general agreement that
war was not in the nation’s best
interest (due to weak military and
slow economy). Also, George
Washington did not want to take the
chance of probably fighting against
the British.
Who was Charles Pickney?
 Charles Pinckney (October 26, 1757 –
October 29, 1824) was an American
politician who was a signer of the
United States Constitution, the 37th
Governor of South Carolina, a Senator
and a member of the House of
Representatives.
What was the result of Pinckney’s
Treaty with Spain?
 #1 Spain gave up all rights to territory east of
the Mississippi River (except Florida)
 #2 The 31st parallel as the southern boundary
of the US and the northern boundary of
Florida
 #3 The Mississippi River was now open to all
traffic whether by Spanish subjects and/or
US citizens to allow traders to use the port of
New Orleans.
Why did the United States want
access to the Mississippi River?
 Travel and trade were difficult on the
frontier and the access to the
Mississippi River would offer an
easier means of transportation for
frontier farmers and merchants.
Why did Native Americans demand
negotiations with the United States
over the Northwest Territory?
 In the past Native Americans had
been excluded from negotiations that
led to the Treaty of Paris and
therefore had no influence over what
was being done to their lands.
Who was Little Turtle?
 Little Turtle was a brilliant military
strategist chieftain of the Miami Tribe
who in 1790 defeated a small force of
American generals sent by George
Washington to stop Native American
attacks against settlers in the in the
Ohio Valley.
What were the causes and
consequences of the Battle of Fallen
Timbers?
 With many defeats over the present-day Ohio
Territory, George Washington appointed
General Anthony Wayne to lead federal
troops against the Native Americans. General
Wayne defeated the Miami Confederacy in a
40 minute battle which was later called the
Battle of Fallen Timbers. Victory ended
Native Americans resistance and they gave
up most of the land in Ohio in exchange for
$20,000 worth of goods and an annual
payment of nearly $10,000. This agreement
was known as the Treaty of Grenville.
What was the outcome of Jay’s Treaty?
 John Jay (December 12, 1745 – May 17,
1829) was an American statesman, Patriot,
diplomat, a Founding Father of the United
States, and the first Chief Justice of the
United States (1789–95).
 His treaty stated that the nation would
control territories west of the Appalachian
Mountains and the British would evacuate the
Northwest Territory posts but continue to fur
trade.
Why were so many Americans
dissatisfied with Jay’s Treaty with
Britain?
 Jay’s Treaty barely passed the US
Senate because it allowed for the
British to continue their fur trade on
the US side of the Canadian land.
How did political parties affect the
results of the election of 1796?
 The two top vote getters in 1796 were
Federalist (John Adams) and DemocraticRepublican (Thomas Jefferson). Respectively
in the Constitution, the highest vote getter
will become President and the next highest
would become Vice President. This caused
sectionalism in the Executive Branch. The
President was John Adams and the Vice
President was Thomas Jefferson. Both had
different views for the country and always
caused political turmoil.
What was the XYZ Affair?
The XYZ Affair was a political and
diplomatic episode in 1797 and
1798, during the administration of
John
Adams,
that
Americans
interpreted as an insult from
France. It led to an undeclared
naval war called the Quasi-War,
which raged at sea from 1798 to
1800. The Federalist Party took
advantage of the national anger to
build an army and pass the Alien
and Sedition Acts to damage the
rival Democratic-Republican Party.
XYZ Affair
 The American delegation had planned to meet
with the French foreign minister, Charles
Talleyrand. Instead the directory sent three
low level officials (whom President addressed
as X,Y and Z in his Congressional Report)
who demanded a $250,000 bribe to meet
with Talleyrand in order to stop harassment
of American ships. This proved a wave of
Anti-French feelings at home and the US
declared naval war with France.
What was the purpose of the Alien
and Sedition Acts?
 The Anti-French feelings caused many people to
believe the French would try to overthrow our
government (because of the new arrivals of French
immigrants). To counter this increase of
immigrants…the government sought measures for
protection.
 Alien Acts – raised the residence requirement for
American citizenship from 5 to 14 years and
allowed the government to deport or jail any alien
considered undesirable.
 Sedition Acts – set fines and jail terms for anyone
trying to hinder the operation of government or
expressing “false, scandalous, and malicious
statements” against the government.
How did the Kentucky Resolutions
challenge the authority of the federal
government? What was the theory of
nullification?
 The Virginia and Kentucky
Resolutions asserted the principal of
nullification, which held that, if a
state considered an act by Congress
to be unconstitutional, it had the right
to declare that action null and void –
that is not binding to the law.
How was the presidential election
of 1800 decided?
The election was decided by the
Electoral College balloting which
resulted in a tie between
Thomas Jefferson and Aaron
Burr. The HOR were called upon
to choose between the two
highest vote getters: Thomas
Jefferson finally won and Aaron
Burr became Vice President.
How did Jefferson simplify the presidency?
What were the successes and failures of the
Jefferson administration?
 Jefferson simplified the federal government and
emphasized the importance of ordinary citizens
through policies such as free trade, cut spending
and taxes.
 Some of Jefferson’s successes were: the reduction
of the nation’s debt, the Louisiana Purchase, the
Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the peace treaty
with the Barbary States.
 Some of Jefferson’s failures were: the British
embargo, and refusal to build a bigger navy.
What factors led to the decline of
the Federalist Party?
 There was southern dominance which
underscored the declining of both
New England and the Federalists in
national political life because of
Jefferson’s political moderation and
support for farmer’s interest. John
Adams was a very unpopular
president because of his harsh laws
with the Alien and Sedition Acts.
What was the principle of
Judicial Review?
 This gave the Supreme Court the right of
Judicial Review – the ability to declare a law ,
an act of Congress or Executive branch action
unconstitutional. The Supreme Court checks
the power of Congress and President to
determine if they are constitutional.
Why was Marbury vs. Madison so
important?
It established the concept of
judicial review, which helped to
expand the power of the Supreme
Court and of the federal
government.
How did America gain the Louisiana Territory?
Why was the US concerned about the Louisiana
Territory?
 The US purchased Louisiana in 1803, (under
the administration of president Thomas
Jefferson) from Napoleon Bonaparte of
France. It cost 15 million dollars. It more
than doubled the size of the US. Jefferson
wanted to resolve any problems with French
presence in the US.
What parts of the country did
Lewis and Clark explore?
 Thomas Jefferson was the President during
the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804. They
explored the area for two years and four
months. It was called the Corps of Discovery
(from St. Louis to the Pacific coast) they were
to collect scientific information about
unknown plants and animals in route to the
Pacific and learn as much as possible about
the Native American tribes encountered along
the way.
Who was Sacajawea?
She was a Native American
woman who served as an
interpreter and guide for Lewis
and Clark on their expedition of
the Louisiana Territory.
What were the principal causes of the
War of 1812? What British actions
angered Americans?
 Causes of War of 1812
 * British policy of impressment. This is the
practice of seizing Americans at sea and
“impressing” or drafting them into the British
navy.
 *Jefferson convinced Congress to declare an
embargo , a ban on exporting products to other
countries. This action limited US trade.
 The British supported attacks on the American
settlers.
What were the principal causes of
the War of 1812? What British
actions angered Americans?
 Jefferson thought that the embargo of
1807 would hurt the British but it
turned out to hurt the Americans and
in 1809 Congress lifted the ban on
foreign trade to everyone except –
FRANCE and BRITAIN.
What was Jefferson’s reasoning
behind the Embargo of 1807?
 As stated earlier-Thomas Jefferson declared
an embargo because he believed that the
Embargo Act of 1807 would hurt Britain and
force them to honor American neutrality.
 The Embargo Act 1807 blockades European
ports, and seizures of American vessels at
sea which hurt all American foreign trade.
Why did many Americans blame Britain for their
problem? Why did the War Hawks call for the
war with Britain?
 They believed that British actions
were harming their economy and
threatening expansion into western
lands.
 The War Hawks discovered that
Native Americans in Tecumseh’s
Confederacy had been supplied with
whiskey and ammunition (guns) from
British Canada. James Madison
decided to go to war with Britain.
Why did the Americans meet
military failure in Canada?
 The American military was
unprepared for war with Great
Britain. In addition, after the British
captured Detroit there followed many
setbacks when the Americans tried to
take Montreal. Major setback-the
British sack and burn Washington, D.
C. in 1814.
What role did Andrew Jackson
play in the war?
 After six months of fighting involving
four battles, Jackson defeated Native
Americans of the Creek tribe at the
Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March
1814. Also, the Battle of New Orleans
Americans was won in 1815 under the
leadership of Andrew Jackson, a
general from Tennessee but the war
was over.
Outcome of War…..
It ended in a draw,
but proved that the
new nation could
survive a war with
another country.
What were the provisions of
the Treaty of Ghent?
 The Treaty of Ghent – armistice (cease fire) to the
end of the war which resulted in a peaceful
relations develop between U.S. and Great Britain.
 *In 1815, Commercial Treaty reopening trade
(American industries grow.)
 *In 1817, the Rush-Bagot agreement limited the
number of warships on the Great Lakes.
 *In 1818, a British-American commission set the
northern boundary of the Louisiana territory at the
49th parallel as far west as the Rocky Mountains.
 *10 year joint occupation of Oregon territory.