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Election of George Washington
The Election of 1789 was the first election under the Constitution. As everyone expected, George Washington was elected with John Adams as Vice President. This election started the first of the two terms Washington served. -
Bill of Rights added to Constitution
In 1789, 12 amendments, written by James Madison, were opposed by the Congress. Following the Constitution, these amendments went to each state to be ratified. Then by 1791, three fourths of the states approved 10 of the amendments, which became the Bill of Rights. -
Beginning of Federalist Party
The Federalist Party did not begin as a political party. The Federalists were those Americans who supported the ratification of the new Constitution of the United States. Its roots are in the debates over ratification of the Constitution in 1787-1789. The people who supported ratification organized and aided each other in securing passage. Once the Constitution was ratified they still held similar views and had similar interests so they continued to work together to further their commom goals. -
Beginning of the Democratic-Republican
Originally (1792–98) Republican Party, first opposition political party in the United States. Organized in 1792 as the Republican Party, its members held power nationally between 1801 and 1825. It was the direct antecedent of the present Democratic Party. Jefferson and his followers favored states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. They believed that a powerful central government posed a threat to individual liberties. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Western farmers were infuriated at a newly passed tax where they gained no profit from the sale of whiskey. They eventually started attacking tax officials. The tax was eventually repealed by George Washington. -
Elections of John Adams
President George Washington having refused a third term in office, incumbent Vice-President John Adams of Massachusetts became a candidate for the presidency on the Federalist Party ticket with former Governor Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina as the next most popular Federalist. Their opponents were former Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson of Virginia along with Senator Aaron Burr of New York on the Democratic-Republican ticket. -
XYZ Affair
After France began attacking US ships, Adams sent John Marshall, Elbridge Gerry, and Charles Pickney to France to seek peace. Talleyrand, the French minister, refused to see them, and instead sent three men know as “X, Y, and Z”. They said the US could see Talleyrand if they paid $250,000, which brought the saying “Millions for defense; not one cent for tribute!” -
Alien Act
The Alien Act and Alien Enemies Act were passed when John Adams was president. They gave the president power to deport or throw aliens in jail when they were suspected of activities threatening the national government. The Alien Act was later called unconstitutional. -
Sediton Act
This act made it illegal to write against the government. It was against the first amendment. There was a similar act in 1918. -
Election of Thomas Jefferson
In a very controversial election, Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams. This election opened doors to the democratic republican party. It also made agriculture a big part of the country’s income -
John Marshall Appointed
Adams appointed John Marshall to be the chief justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He established three basic principles that became the foundation of the federal union. He said the judicial review gave the power for the court to decide if laws are unconstitutional and the Supreme Court had the power to set aside unconstitutional laws of state legislatures and reverse state courts decisions. -
Marbury v. Madison
There was a lot of disagreement on what the power of the Supreme Court really is. This case made it the Court’s power to review acts of the President and Congress, making it a part of checks and balances. This case also said that the Supreme Court is the final authority on what the meaning of the Constitution is. -
Louisiana Purchase
Jefferson sent Livingston and Monroe to try to offer France $10 million to buy New Orleans and West Florida. Although, needing money, Napoleon offered all of Louisiana for just $15 million. Livingston and Monroe agreed and claimed it to be “the noblest works of our whole lives”. -
Lewis and Clark expedition
Thomas Jefferson wanted to explore some of the newly purchased land. Jefferson chose Meriwether Lewis, who asked William Clark to help him. These two men, along with many others, set off on a two year journey to explore the land. -
Embargo Act
Jefferson set this act to keep Britain and France from rejecting trade. The plan backfired. It was repealed in 1809. -
Election of James Madison
Madison was the 4th president of the US. He is the Father of The Constitution. Madison is known as one of the greatest presidents. -
Non-Intercourse Act
Britain and France wouldn't be involved in any trade with the US. The act started more conflict. It also led to the War of 1812 -
War of 1812
Great Britain started to seize American ships and there was impressment of American sailors. During this war, France was also an enemy from the XYZ Affair. Francis Scott Key composed the song we all know today, the Star Spangled Banner. -
Battle of New Orleans
This is the official-unofficial last battle of the War of 1812. This is one of Andrew Jackson biggest victories / accomplishments throughout his career. This Battle showed that America could beat the British not just once but TWICE! After this battle Jackson became a national hero. -
Election of James Monroe
Was the only “real” candidate in the race. Rufus King kind of started a campaign against him for president. But still Monroe won drastically. He was the favorite from 16 of the states. -
Expanded suffrage to all white males
By 1830, they dropped the law that said you must own land to vote. It was then, you must be a white male over the age of 21. This helped Andrew Jackson win his election, because more of the “common men” could vote. -
Missouri Compromise
This took place when Missouri wanted to enter statehood. The problem was that they want to be a slave state throwing off the balance of slave/non- slave states in the union. Congress debated for months on what should happened. The result was that Missouri became a slave state. Maine broke off Massachusetts, becoming a non-slave state. And making a boundary of where slave states could form. -
Monroe Doctrine
America wanted to stay out of European affairs. With this, President Monroe was aiming to limit European expansion to the Western Hemisphere. The Monroe Doctrine basically just said if Europe didn’t stay away then the US would fight. -
Gibbons vs. Ogden
Ogden sued Gibbons for navigating his steam power ship in New York. The State court sided with Ogden. Gibbons appealed to the supreme court and won that case. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
The Maryland government posed a tax on all non-state owned banks. It also said it was illegal to issue bank notes. McCulloch ignored this law and was sued by Maryland -
Election of 1824
In the Election of 1824, Andrew Jackson, John Q. Adams, Henry Clay, and William Crawford all ran against each other. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but no one won the electoral vote. After Henry Clay convinced the House of Representatives, they made John Adams president. -
Election of Andrew Jackson
Both candidates slung mud at each other make ridiculous accusations. Andrew Jackson ended up wining at the end for praising the “common Man” He ran for re-election -
Beginning of Democratic Party:
. The Democratic Party was called the party of the common man. . The main point of the Democratic Party was to give voice to the individuals who were not wealthy, since at the time of the Democratic Party’s beginning, the only individuals who held any power were wealthy ones. People in this party in mainly liberal. And believe in sharing the wealth around. -
Indian Removal Act
Andrew Jackson started moving Natives away by force. Manifest Destiny was a forming idea. It was also known as the Trail of Tears -
Worcester v. Georgia
Samuel Worcester went to Cherokee territory in Georgia with a group of other non-natives. They started to kick out the Native Americans until the supreme court told them that it was illegal. Andrew Jackson told him that it was okay and he didn’t have to listen to them. -
Closing of the US Bank
The Bank of the United States was created by Alexander Hamilton to regulate economic policies. When the Bank’s charter had to be renewed, Jackson vetoed it. Jackson vetoed it because he felt as it had too much power.