Review – G. Washington – Thomas Jefferson
“[Political parties] serve to distract the public and [weaken the government] Parties [stir up] the
community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms.”
-George Washington (1796)
1. What is George Washington saying in this statement?
Fear that political parties will use intimidation to elect their candidates
2. What was Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan designed to do?
Help build national economy
3. Why did President George Washington caution Americans against forming alliances with foreign
nations in his Farewell Address?
He worried that the nation might later be dragged into a foreign war
4. List the differences between the Federalists and the Democrat –Republicans:
Federalists:
Sought a strong national government
Favored manufacturers and merchants
Loose construction of the constitution
Supported national bank
Democratic Republicans:
Sought stronger state governments
Favored self-sufficient farmers
Strict construction of the constitution
Opposed a national bank
“I know too that it is a maximum [principle] with us, and I think it a wise one, not to
entangle ourselves with the affairs of Europe…”
-Thomas Jefferson, 1787
5. Whose ideas echo the advice given by Thomas Jefferson in this statement?
Washington’s Farewell Address
6. Why did Jefferson and Madison oppose Hamilton’s financial plan?
They feared the plan favored the rich
7. Why did President George Washington pursue a foreign policy of neutrality during his
administration?
The nation should develop its own interests in the Western Hemisphere
8. What is an important leadership quality of George Washington?
A willingness to listen to different points of view
9. During the Early Republic period, why were some Americans in favor of protective tariffs?
Businesses in the North thought it would help them compete with European imports
10. Which issue would be supported by Thomas Jefferson , but rejected by Alexander Hamilton?
An expansion of states’ rights
11. List the differences in beliefs between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams:
Thomas Jefferson:
Supported farmers and workers
Weak federal government
Democratic-republican
John Adams:
Supported by Northern merchants and industry
Strong federal government
Federalist
12. Which issue is one reason for the development of political parties in the early republic?
There was disagreement over the role and strength of the national government
13. Which controversial legislation of President John Adams administration restricted citizens from
criticizing the government?
The Alien and Sedition Acts
14. How did Washington’s Farewell Address influence American foreign policy?
The US attempted to remain neutral with foreign powers through the 19th century
15.

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
Who Am I?
First Vice President
Second President of the United States
Promoted the cause of independence at the Continental Congress
John Adams
16. How did the Federalists interpret the text of the Constitution?
The Constitution should be interpreted loosely according to historical and social changes
17. Define the term civic virtue:
A citizen’s commitment to democratic ideals and practices and to good character in every
day life
18. Give 2 examples from the 1700s of someone that epitomized civic virtue:
1. George Washington 2. – Who do you think???
19. Define the term neutral:
The US will not take sides in any foreign conflicts
20. What role did political parties play in the election of 1796? They supported rival candidates,
the Federalist, John Adams, won the presidential election and the Democratic Republican,
Thomas Jefferson, became vice-president.
21. How did President John Adams deal with the French seizure of American ships? He withstood
pressure to declare war with France. He sent diplomats to France to discuss the rights of
neutral nations. He strengthened the navy to persuade France to stop attacking American
ships.
22. Why did congress have to settle the election of 1800? Congress had to break an electoral tie
between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
23. How did Jefferson’s actions as President reflect his democratic beliefs?
He allowed many Federalists to keep their government jobs, even though he disagreed
with their policies.
24. Why did Jefferson’s beliefs worry Federalists? Because Jefferson supported the French
Revolution, many Federalists feared that he would bring revolutionary change to the
United States
25. Describe 3 steps that Jefferson took to reduce the power of the federal government.
Decrease size of army and navy; promote laissez faire policies in economic affairs, and
Decreased size of government departments
26. What important precedent did Chief Justice John Marshall set in the case of Marbury vs Madison?
Judicial Review
(Today, judicial review remains one of the most important powers of the Supreme Court)
27. Define judicial review – the power of the court to decide whether laws passed by
Congress are constitutional and to reject laws it considers to be unconstitutional.
28. Why did Jefferson seek to control the Mississippi River? To ensure that American
farmers would always be able to ship their goods through the port of New Orleans.
29. What was the significance of the Louisiana Purchase? It doubled the size of the United States.
30. Identify 2 goals of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Map and Study the geography of the
territory and learn about its Indian nations.