Hamilton's Reports
Jefferson Vs. Hamilton
Washington's Presidency
Adams' Presidency
100
What did Hamilton's Second Report propose?
The creation of a National Bank
100
Hamilton was Secretary of ___. Jefferson was Secretary of ___.
Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury. Jefferson was Secretary of State.
100
Was Washington dependent on Congress?
No, Washington was a very independent president. He resisted congressional efforts to restrict executive authority, especially in foreign affairs.
100
Who was Adams' vice president? How was the vice president determined?
Thomas Jefferson was Adams' vice president because he was runner-up in the election of 1796.
200
Why were politicians like William Maclay suspicious of Hamilton's concept of assumptions?
They feared that assumptions were devised to hand power and wealth to Hamilton's close friends.
200
What were the personalities of Hamilton and Jefferson?
Hamilton was a charming man who worked hard to prove his strong opinions. People either loved him or thought he was an “evil genius”. Jefferson was more reflective and stood out less than Hamilton. People misread him as lacking ambition because of his reserved nature.
200
What was the Judiciary Act of 1789 and who became the first chief justice?
This Act created a federal court system staffed by 1 chief justice and 5 associate justices. There were also 13 district courts which reviewed the decisions of the state courts. [The system was primarily thought up by Oliver Ellsworth.] John Jay became the first chief justice.
200
When was John Adams elected president? What political tension was created during the election process? (Hint: Think Hamilton...)
John Adams was elected in 1796. However, during the election, Hamilton secretly urged southern Federalists to support only Thomas Pinckney and throw away their second vote (each elector ordinarily cast two ballots).
300
What were the intentions of Hamilton's first report, which set up a system of funding and assumptions?
Hamilton's intentions were to fix the $54M national debt. To create sufficient funds, the plan would encourage holders of certificates (land loans) to sell the land to the wealthy for a low price, allowing the higher class to play a more active role in shaping economic policies.
300
Who advocated industrialization, and who wanted to keep America as a primarily agrarian society?
Jefferson wanted to keep America agricultural because he thought farmers were more responsible citizens than people working in factories. He wanted the farmers to join in the expanding international market and also wanted to export raw materials in exchange for finer manufactures. Hamilton favored industrializing America and an urbanizing movement because he wanted to reduce America’s reliance on foreign trade and in order to do so, it was important for the US to start its own industries..
300
What did George Washington say in his farewell speech? For example, what did he advise his people to do? Which party did he seem to support more by the time he left office?
Washington advised the country against forming any permanent alliances with distant nations that had no real interest in promoting American security. He also advised against forming political factions. However, in the speech, Washington seemed to be supporting the Federalist cause in the upcoming election.
300
What was the result of the Convention of Mortefontaine?
(1) The French refused to compensate the Americans for vessels taken during the Quasi-War. (2) French declared the treaties of 1778 null and void. (3) The convention removed French restrictions on U.S. commerce.
400
Why did the proposal of a National Bank spark so much controversy?
There was no mention of banks in the Constitution. Jefferson feared taking a step "beyond the boundaries specifically drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of power." To allow a politician to interpret the Constitution- even by "implied powers"- caused great suspicion in the people and threatened the republic's stability.
400
Which main European power did Jefferson support and which did Hamilton support? Why?
Jefferson supported the French because after witnessing the French Revolution first-hand, he found it similar to America’s Revolution and thought they both marked a worldwide republican assault on absolute monarchy and aristocratic privilege. Hamilton supported Great Britain because he liked British culture and found America similar to Britain in tastes, language, and general manners.
400
What was the tariff of 1789? What controversy did it create?
The tariff of 1789 was a 5% tax on imports. Southerners claimed that it discriminated against them because southern planters relied heavily on (a) European imports and (b) northern shippers (they controlled the flow of imports into the south).
400
What was the purpose/goal of drawing up the Alien and Sedition Acts?
The goal of the Alien and Sedition Acts was to authorize the use of federal courts and the powers of presidency to silence the Republicans.
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