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The Judiciary Act
Passed by Congress during the Philadelphia Convention, this act created the three tiered judicial system that we still have today. State federal district court, 3 circuit appeals courts, and a Supreme Court. Established the fact that federal judges would determine the meaning of the constitution. -
Hamilton's Financial Plan
Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton proposed an entirely new fiscal plan for the new nation. His plan involved establishing national debt to gain credit using govt bonds and assuming state debt. To pay interest on the bonds, the govt would use revenue from excise and customs taxes. Didn't want to redeem bonds because the wealthy Americans who owned them would be invested in new govt. Convinced southern states by putting the capital on the Potomac. Also involved the creation of a National Bank -
The Bill Of Rights
Part of 19 amendments to the Constitution introduced by James Madison to Congress and passed by 1791. These amendments protected what they saw as fundamental personal rights, such as free speech, press, and religion, and trial by jury. Secured the legitimacy of the Consitution and eased fears of an overbearing central govt. -
Declaration of Neutrality
Issued by President Washington in 1793, this stated that the United States would remain neutral in the British- French conflict (and thus could trade with both sides). Jefferson wanted to aid the French, calling back to the aid they had provided during the American Revolution. Greatly increased the US' trade prospects, especially in sugar. The American populace was split on how they felt about the French Revolution, many agreeing with its ideals but not the govt that it ended up being. -
Jay's Treaty
required the U.S. government to make “full and complete compensation” to British merchants for pre–Revolutionary War debts owed by American citizens. In return, the agreement allowed Americans to submit claims for illegal seizures and required the British to remove their troops and Indian agents from the Northwest Territory. Established pro- British Federalist Foreign policy while exacerbating party lines. -
The Treaty of Greenville
Treaty between the United States and the Western Confederation after continued conflict in the Ohio region. This treaty acknowledged Native ownership over this land, and in return for various payments, the Western Confederacy ceded this land to the US. The Natives also agreed to accept American sovereignty, which was partially why the British signed Jay's Treaty. Americans moved en force to the new land and leaders called for Natives to assimilate. This measure was rejected by most tribes. -
Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts
Three laws passed in 1798 that limited individual rights and threatened the fledgling party system. The Naturalization Act lengthened the residency requirement for citizenship, the Alien Act authorized the deportation of foreigners, and the Sedition Act prohibited the publication of insults or malicious attacks on the president or members of Congress. -
The "Revolution" of 1800
The strongly contested results of the election of 1800 between Aaron Burr and Thomas Jefferson (think to the Hamilton Song!). By eventually electing Jefferson, the US proved that there could be a bloodless transfer of a power, a tradition that continued until January 6th, 2021. -
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The Jefferson Presidency
Resolved the naval conflict with the Barbary States. Reversed Naturalization, Alien, and Sedition Acts. Abolished internal taxes. With the help of Secretary of Treasury Albert Gallatin, debt was reduced from from 83 mil in 1801 to 45 mil in 1812. Supported western expansion and yeoman settlement of the West. -
Marbury vs Madison
Arguably the most important case of the Marshall supreme court, Marbury v Madison established the Court's authority to review congressional legislation and interpret the Constitution. -
The Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson wanted to keep New Orleans open to American trade, and Napoleon's new rule violated that. He thus sent a negotiator to Paris to try and purchase NOLA, and was rewarded with the offer of 15 mil for the entire Louisiana colony (which stretched north much further than current Louisiana). Signing this Treaty to gain Louisiana forced Jefferson to reconsider his interpretation of the constitution and adopt a looser interpretation. -
The War of 1812
Congress declared war on Britain in June of 1812 after continued impressment of American sailors and conflict with British supported Natives in the West. After two years of fighting, the United States was stalemated along the Canadian frontier and on the defensive in the Atlantic, and its new capital city lay in ruins. The treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve 1814 and ended the War of 1812. It retained the prewar borders of the United States. -
the Adams- Onís Treaty
An 1819 treaty in which John Quincy Adams persuaded Spain to cede the Florida territory to the United States. In return, the American government accepted Spain’s claim to Texas and agreed to a compromise on the western boundary for the state of Louisiana. -
The Monroe Doctrine
The 1823 declaration by President James Monroe that the Western Hemisphere was closed to any further colonization or interference by European powers. In exchange, Monroe pledged that the United States would not become involved in European struggles.