History of the Americas Questions
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Revolutionary war general and first president of the United States.
Tax levied on imports. Traditionally, manufacturers support tariffs as protective and revenue raising measures, while agriculture interests, dependent on world markets, oppose high tariffs
French foreign minister who attempts to solicit bribes from American envoys in the infamous XYZ affair prompted widespread calls for war with France.
Revolutionary war soldier, first treasury secretary of the United States, and a fierce proponent of a strong national government.
King of France from 1774-1793. Beheaded during the French Revolution
American revolutionary, statesman, and second president of the United States.
Tax on goods produced domestically. Excise taxes, particularly the 1791 tax on whiskey, were a highly controversial component of Alexander Hamilton's financial program.
Decisive battle between the Miami Confederacy and the US Army. British forces refused to shelter the routed Indians, forcing the latter to attain a peace settlement with the U.S.
Chartered by Congress as part of Alexander Hamilton's financial program, the bank printed paper money and served as a depository for Treasury funds. It drew opposition from Jeffersonian Republicans, who argued that the bank was unconstitutional.
Popular term for the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution. The amendments secure key rights for individuals and reserve to the states all powers not explicitly delegated or prohibited by the constitution.
Payment of debts, such as government bonds, at face value. In 1790, Alexander Hamilton proposed that the federal government pay its Revolutionary war debts in full in order to bolster the nation's credit.
Ten-month period of brutal repression when some 40,000 individuals were executed as enemies of the French Revolution. While many Jeffersonians maintained their faith in the French Republic, Federalists withdrew their already lukewarm support once the Reign of Terror commenced.
Willingness on the part of citizens to sacrifice personal self-interest for the public good
Electoral victory of Democratic Republicans over the Federalists, who lost their Congressional majority and the presidency. The peaceful transfer of power between rival parties solidified faith in America's political system.
Opponents of the 1787 Constitution, they cast the document as antidemocratic, objected to the subordination of the states to the central government, and feared encroachment on individuals' liberties in the absence of a bill of rights.
Determined that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of apportioning taxes and representation
Laws that originate from court rulings and customs, as opposed to legislative statutes. The United States Constitution grew out of the Anglo-American common law tradition and thus provided only a general organizational framework for the new federal government.
Collection of essays written by John Jay, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton and published during the ratification debate in New York to lay out the Federalists' arguments in favor of the new constitution. Serve as an important source for constitutional interpretation
Popular term for the measure that reconciled the New Jersey and Virginia Plans at the Constitutional Convention, giving states proportional representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation in the Senate
Body of written law enacted through legislative statutes or constitutional provisions. In countries where civil law prevails, judges must apply the statutes precisely as written.