George Washington
What was Washington's Foreign Policy as President?
Isolationism. We stay in the western hemisphere and mind our own business and European powers will do the same.
Who was the 2nd president of the United States?
John Adams
Who was the 3rd president of the United States?
Thomas Jefferson
Which leader supported a strong national government?
Alexander Hamilton
What is a political party?
A group of people with similar beliefs about how the government should work.
What city became the first capital of the United States under Washington?
New York City
What country did the U.S. have problems with during Adams’ presidency?
France
What political party did Jefferson belong to (Democratic-Republican or Federalist)?
Democratic-Republican Party
Who supported farming and state power more than city business power?
Thomas Jefferson
What was one belief of the Federalists?
They believed in a strong national government.
What group was created to advise the president (ex: Secretary of State, Treasury, etc.)?
The Cabinet
What was the XYZ Affair?
French officials demanded money before meeting with U.S. diplomats.
What does “limited government” mean, and why did Jefferson support it?
It means the government should not have too much power, and Jefferson wanted the national government to stay small.
What is a “national bank,” and who supported it?
A national bank is a bank run by the government, and Hamilton supported it.
What was one belief of the Democratic-Republicans?
They believed in states’ rights and a smaller national government.
What was Washington’s warning about political parties in his Farewell Address?
He warned that political parties could divide the country.
What were the Alien and Sedition Acts meant to do?
They limited immigrants’ rights and punished people for criticizing the government.
What was Jefferson’s biggest challenge in balancing his beliefs with his actions as president?
He supported strict interpretation but made decisions that expanded government power (like the Louisiana Purchase).
What did “strict interpretation” vs. “loose interpretation” of the Constitution mean?
Strict = only what the Constitution says; Loose = allows powers not listed if helpful.
Why did Washington dislike political parties?
He thought they would divide the country and weaken it.
What was the Whiskey Rebellion and how did Washington respond?
It was a protest against a whiskey tax, and Washington used the army to stop it.
Why were the Alien and Sedition Acts controversial (unfair) to many Americans?
People thought they violated freedom of speech and were used to silence political enemies.
Why did Jefferson’s presidency sometimes go against his own political beliefs?
Even though he wanted small government, he sometimes acted strongly to help the country grow and survive.
How did the disagreement between Hamilton and Jefferson lead to the first political parties?
Americans chose sides, creating the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Why did political parties form even though many leaders warned against them?
People disagreed on how to run the government, so parties formed to organize beliefs and gain power.