Precedents
1. What is a precedent?
an act or decision that sets an example for others to follow
7. George Washington decided to keep the US out of war with France and Britain with this Proclamation in 1793 that prohibited trade with these nations.
Neutrality Proclamation
8. What was Hamilton’s Financial Plan?
Hamilton wanted to create a national bank to help pay all of the country’s debts because he feared that no one would lend money to the US in the future if they did not pay their old debts.
14. What was the event where three French agents tried to extort (obtain by force) a bribe from the United States called?
The XYZ Affair
13. What is impressment?
British ships captured American sailors and forced them to serve in the British Navy
5. The foreign policy that Washington favored was…
Neutrality
18. What is the Electoral College?
Americans select the President and VP indirectly through choosing electors
9. Which political party was in favor of Hamilton’s financial plan? Which political party was against it? (Federalists or Democratic-Republicans)
Federalists supported it, Democratic-Republicans were against it
12. Who won the Election of 1796 (Presidency and Vice Presidency)?
BONUS: Why was this an issue?
John Adams (Federalist) won Presidency and Thomas Jefferson (Republican) won Vice Presidency
BONUS: They were both from different political parties
24. The ability of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional is known as…
Judicial Review
4. What does the President's Cabinet do?
BONUS: Who did Washington choose as his Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury?
Advises the President in making important decisions
BONUS: Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State) and Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury)
15. This act passed during Adams’ Presidency lengthened the time it took to become a citizen and allowed the President to imprison or deport to deport any alien, or foreigner, thought to be dangerous to the country during wartime
Alien Act
11. This clause in the Constitution gives Congress the power to do what is necessary for the nation to function.
BONUS: In what two situations has the elastic clause been used?
Elastic Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause
BONUS: Alexander Hamilton’s debate for a national bank and Maryland V. McCulloch (1819)
20. Who won the election of 1800 (Presidency and Vice Presidency)?
BONUS: Who decided the election?
Thomas Jefferson (Republican) won the Presidency and Aaron Burr (Republican) won the Vice Presidency
BONUS: The House of Representatives broke the tie
25. This Marshall Court case ruled that The Bank of the United States is constitutional based on the elastic clause
McCulloch V. Maryland (1819)
3. How many terms did Washington serve and why is this important?
Washington served 2 terms because he did not want the Presidency to be seen as an appointment for life! It limited the power of the president/removed ties to monarchy.
16. This act passed during Adams’ Presidency made it illegal to criticize the government and violated the First Amendment
Sedition Act
17. These political statements created by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argued that states could nullify or overturn any law that they found violates the Constitution
What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?
22. How did the Marshall Court affect the role of the Federal Government?
Under the leadership of John Marshall, the Supreme Court reinforced the supremacy of the federal government.
23. This Marshall Court case established the concept of “judicial review” which expanded the power of the Supreme Court and federal government
Marbury vs. Madison (1803)
2. Name 3 precedents that George Washington established during his presidency
Adopting the title “President,” Establishing Presidential Cabinet, Serving only 2 terms, Delivering the first inauguration speech
6.What did Washington say about permanent alliances in his Farewell Address?
He warned the nation against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations and wanted the US to be neutral in foreign affairs
10. What is strict vs loose interpretation?
Loose Interpretation- the government has all rights that are not clearly denied to it (implied powers/unwritten Constitution)
Strict Interpretation- the government only has powers that are clearly granted to it in the Constitution
21. How are the Elections of 1800 and 2000 similar? Hint: How was the election determined?
In both elections, the number of Electoral votes was questioned and required another part of government (Congress/Supreme Court) to settle differences.
19. How does the Electoral Vote differ from the Popular Vote?
Popular vote is the total number of actual votes by citizens in a presidential election and does not determine the outcome of the election
Electoral votes are cast by members of the Electoral College and determine the outcome of a presidential election