The New Government
Who became the first president of the United States?
George Washington
What type of bank did Hamilton want to create?
A national bank
Who became the major leader of the Federalists?
Alexander Hamilton
What revolution in Europe deeply divided American political opinion?
The French Revolution
Which party passed the Alien and Sedition Acts?
Federalists
What was added to the Constitution to protect individual freedoms?
The Bill of Rights
What did Hamilton want the federal government to do with state Revolutionary War debts?
Assume/take responsibility for them.
Who became the major leader of the Jeffersonian Republicans?
Thomas Jefferson
Which party generally sympathized more with the French Revolution?
Jeffersonian Republicans
In what year were the Alien and Sedition Acts passed?
1798
Who served as Washington's secretary of the treasury?
Alexander Hamilton
Name one way Hamilton planned to raise federal revenue.
Tariffs or excise taxes
Which party favored a stronger national government and commercial economy?
Federalists
What treaty with Britain angered many Republicans?
Jay's Treaty
What did the Sedition Act restrict?
Criticism of the federal government.
What kind of national government did Hamilton favor?
A strong federal/national government.
Why did Hamilton support a national bank?
To strengthen federal finances, manage money and debt, and support the economy.
Which party favored agriculture and more limited federal power?
Jeffersonian Republicans
What was the XYZ Affair?
A diplomatic conflict with France that increased anti-French feeling in the United States.
Why did Republicans strongly oppose the Alien and Sedition Acts?
They believed the laws threatened freedom of speech and individual liberty.
Why was Washington's presidency important beyond the specific laws passed during his administration?
He established important precedents for how the new federal government and presidency would operate.
Why did Hamilton's financial program create political conflict?
Supporters believed it would strengthen the nation and economy, while opponents feared increased federal power and benefits for wealthy elites.
Give two major differences between the Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.
Federalists favored:
- stronger national power
- commerce/manufacturing
- generally Britain
Republicans favored:
- more limited federal power
- an agricultural republic
- and generally France
How did foreign affairs contribute to the creation of America's first political parties?
Disagreements over Britain, France, and the French Revolution reinforced the larger political divide between Federalists and Republicans.
Why is the election of 1800 sometimes called the "Revolution of 1800"?
Power peacefully transferred from the Federalists to Jefferson and the Republicans, showing that opposing political parties could transfer control without violence.