Democratic-Republicans
A political party formed in the early 1790s that advocated for states' rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution. They were opposed to the Federalist Party and were led by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.
Republican Motherhood
An 18th-century idea that emphasized the role of women in raising children to be virtuous and responsible citizens, thereby contributing to the stability and success of the republic.
XYZ Affair
A diplomatic incident in 1797-1798 where American envoys to France were asked to pay a bribe to meet with the French Foreign Minister, leading to an undeclared naval war with France known as the Quasi-War.
Federalists
A political party that supported a strong central government, commercial economy, and close ties with Britain. Key figures included Alexander Hamilton and John Adams.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Laws passed in 1798 that allowed the deportation of non-citizens deemed dangerous and criminalized making false statements against the government. They were seen as infringing on First Amendment rights.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799, arguing that states could nullify federal laws considered unconstitutional. Authored by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Treaty of Fort Stanwix
A 1784 treaty between the United States and Native American tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy, which ceded land in present-day Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York to the U.S. government.
Antifederalists
A group that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government and the ratification of the Constitution in 1788, preferring more power to be held by state governments.
Northwest Ordinance
An act of Congress in 1787 that provided a method for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory and listed a bill of rights guaranteed in the territory.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, guaranteeing fundamental rights and protections to American citizens.
Shays’ Rebellion
An armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and tax policies. It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and spurred calls for a stronger federal government.
Jay Treaty
A 1795 treaty between the United States and Great Britain that sought to resolve outstanding issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris of 1783, averting war and facilitating ten years of peaceful trade.
Virginia Plan
A proposal at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 for a bicameral legislative branch, with representation based on state population, benefiting larger states.
Whiskey Rebellion
A 1791-1794 tax protest in the United States, during the presidency of George Washington, which was the first serious challenge to federal authority under the new government.
New Jersey Plan
A proposal at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 for a single legislative house with equal representation for each state, regardless of size, favoring smaller states.
Treaty of Greenville
A 1795 treaty between the United States and various Native American tribes, following the Battle of Fallen Timbers, which ceded parts of the Northwest Territory to the U.S.
Three-fifths Compromise
A compromise reached during the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives.
Pinckney Treaty
A 1795 treaty between the United States and Spain, also known as the Treaty of San Lorenzo, which defined the border between the U.S. and Spanish Florida and guaranteed American navigation rights on the Mississippi River.