This study guide will help prepare you for the US History EOC. Of course, how well you do on the EOC will be determined by how well you study and how well you have done in the class this semester. Remember this test counts as 25% of your overall grade in this class.
How to Use this guide
Study the guide and your book, notes, and terms. Look up any event or term you are unfamiliar with and memorize. Remember, history is a story and the parts tell the story and are interconnected.
George Washington-Federalist (1789-1797)
A. Established 4 cabinet departments to help run the new government (Department of State, War, Treasury, and Office of Attorney General.
- Secretary of State -Thomas Jefferson, Sec. of War-Henry Knox, Sec. of Treasury- Alexander Hamilton, Attorney-General- Edmund Randolph.
B. President Washington's Foreign Policy- the young nation should not get involved in foreign wars (NEUTRALITY)
Britain & France went to war (1793) with each other, President Washington declared America's neutrality (Proclamation of Neutrality (1793).
- Jay's Treaty (1794)- Britain was stopping US cargo ships bound for France; to avoid war, Washington sent John Jay to Britain to seek a solution. Jay was forced to agree that the British had a right seize cargo bound for French ports.
- Jay did not get compensation for American merchants whose cargo had already been seized.
- Treaty angered many Americans
- Significance: temporarily PREVENTED A WAR between America & Britain!
- Pinckney's Treaty (1795)- When America signed Jay's Treaty, Spain worried US & Britain might join forces and take Spain's North American territory. President Washington sent Thomas Pinckney to negotiate with Spain.
- Treaty gave US the right to navigate the Mississippi River and deposit goods at New Orleans.
- Judiciary Act 1789- created appeals courts to help US Supreme Court hear cases.
C. 1st two political parties (Federalists & Democrat-Republicans)
Arguments between Jefferson & Hamilton over Hamilton's Economic Plan led to the creation of the first two political parties.
Alexander Hamilton's Economic Plan
Components: assumption of state debts, call for a national bank
- Opposition: to assumption plan & national bank -unconstitutional.
- KNOW THAT THE DEBATE OVER HAMILTON'S FINANCIAL PLAN LED TO CREATION OF AMERICA'S FIRST TWO POLITICAL PARTIES.
- Federalists- strong national government, democracy "dangerous"- wealthy/educated should rule, trade & manufacturing key to our wealth.
- Loose constructionist- favored a loose interpretation of the Constitution; used "necessary & proper clause" to justify the creation of a stronger government; *Leader - Alexander Hamilton.
- Democrat-Republicans- strength of nation in farmers, believed that the wealthy corrupted government, favored more power to state governments.
- Strict Constructionist- favored strict interpretation of the Constitution; government may only do something if the Constitution specifically says it can.
- Leaders- Thomas Jefferson & James Madison
D. President Washington's Farewell Address: know the three warnings: avoid sectionalism/regionalism, avoid political parties, and avoid involvement in foreign entanglements (wars).
E. Washington set the precedent (tradition) for a president to serve only two terms.
1793- Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin- made cotton production more profitable and increased the demand for slaves in the South.
President JOHN ADAMS-Federalist (1797-1801)
The French were enraged by America's agreement with Britain (JAY'S TREATY) so they began stopping American cargo ships & seizing cargo bound for Britain.
- Federalists called for war with France.
A. The X, Y, Z Affair- President Adams sent 3 US ambassadors to France to negotiate with the French about seizure of US cargo; 3 French ambassadors ("X,Y, AND Z") demanded bribes of $250,000 before they would allow US ambassadors to speak with French officials.
- Americans call for war with France.
B. The Quasi War (with France)- (1798) Congress voted to intercept armed French ships and suspend US trade with France; an undeclared war.
- Quasi War angered Democrat-Republicans who intensified criticism of President Adams & Federalists.
C. Convention of 1800- US gave up all financial claims against France- France released the US from a Revolutionary War treaty with France (Treaty of 1778).
D. Alien and Sedition Acts (know components of this law)- Federalist law aimed to hurt Democrat-Republican party whose supporters tended to be immigrants.
- Alien Act-prevented immigrants from becoming US citizens for 14 years; this hurt Democrat-Republicans because immigrants usually joined Democrat-Republican Party in big numbers.
- Sedition Act- law passed by the Federalists in Congress and signed by John Adams; made it illegal to say anything that might be "scandalous, false or that might incite "rebellion"; meant to stop all criticism of Federalist Party & Adams.
- Purpose: SHUTDOWN ANY OPPOSITION TO FEDERALISTS AND JOHN AD
