Flashcard answer key
1. Who were the first five presidents, in order?
George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe
2. What is a precedent? What are 3 key precedents George Washington set?
an example that others follow
3 that Washington set:
1. Never going to Congress except for the state of the Union Address
2. Neutrality
3. 2 term limit
4. Cabinet
3. What is foreign policy? What was the foreign policy under Washington, Adams and Jefferson?
A set of rules or guidelines governments use to decide how to deal with OTHER COUNTRIES
Washington Adams and Jefferson followed a policy of neutrality
4. What is domestic policy?
A set of rules or guidelines governments use to decide how to deal with issues INSIDE THE
COUNTRY
5. What are political parties? What were the first two political parties? What was Washington’s opinion?
DEFINITION: groups of people with similar ideas about what government can/should do.
Want to get their candidates elected
Federalists Party- led by Alexander Hamilton
Democratic Republican Party- led by Thomas Jefferson
G. Washington did not like political parties
- thought they would create chaos and divide the
nation
- advised the people to not participate in them.
6. What were the key beliefs of the Federalist Party?
Loose Construction
Government should be run by the educated and wealthy
Government should focus on development of businesses
Tariffs
National bank
7. What were the key beliefs of the Democratic Republican party?
Strict Construction
Most government power should be in the hands of the people and states
Focus on a nation of farmers
Small national government
8. What was the Whiskey Rebellion? Why was it so important?
Farmers in PA rebelled over paying a tax on Whiskey
George Washington used the army to prove that Federal laws must be obeyed and the
government could enforce the laws.
9. What was the XYZ Affair? What 2 precedents were set by this event?
France demanded a bribe so that American ambassadors could meet to discuss a treaty.
America refused to pay the bribe and the ambassadors returned home.
Precedents: US will not pay bribes
Adams established a Navy to protect the US and added a department to the executive branch.
10. What were the Alien and Sedition Acts? Which amendment did they violate?
Adams had Congress pass these in an attempt to quiet criticism and help him get reelected
1. Illegial to speak critically of the government
2. Immigrants must wait 14 years to become a citizen
3. Executive branch could deport disloyal immigrants.
They violated the 1st amendment freedom of speech
11. What were the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions?
Statement passed by 2 states arguing an new idea of STATES RIGHTS- that states had the right to
declare a federal law unconstitutional.
12. What is impressment?
When the British were forcing US sailors into the British navy for life.