History Quizzes (Federalist Era)

Front 1

The First President

Back 1

New York had failed to appoint its electors in time, and therefore cast no votes. North Carolina and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution, meaning they couldn't vote. You needed 69 electoral votes to win the election. George Washington won the election, and John Adams became the Vice President. Martha Washington was the first lady, and this all happened in January of 1789.

Front 2

Organizing the Government

Back 2

The new federal government had to create policies that could determine the future of the nation. The first Congress created departments in the Executive branch for different areas of national policy. The cabinet was: Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) Secretary of State (Thomas Jefferson) Secretary of War (Henry Knox) and Attorney General (Edmund Randolph).To set up the federal court system and the courts’ location, Congress passed the Judiciary Act of 1789.It created three levels of federal courts (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and District Courts) and defined their power and relationship to the state courts.The president nominated candidates for federal judgeship and the Senate could either approve or reject them.

Front 3

America's Expectations for the Nation

Back 3

In 1780 the United States was home to about 4 million people. Most lived in the countryside and worked on farms. Farmers wanted fair tax laws and right to settle western lands.Other Americans worked in towns as craftspeople, laborers, and merchants. They wanted government to help their business with trade laws.

Front 4

Settling the Debt

Back 4

Hamilton’s biggest challenge was paying off the national debt-money owed by the U.S. from the Revolutionary War.The U.S. owned 12 million dollars to foreign nations and 40 million dollars to foreign nations and 40 million to U.S. citizens. During the war the government raised money with bonds. Many bondholders sold their bonds for less than the original value t seculaters.Hamilton wanted to pay foreign debt immediately and gradually repay the total value of all bonds.

Front 5

States' Debts and Moving the Capital

Back 5

The states owed 25 million for Revolutionary War expenses. Hamilton wanted the federal government to buy up this debt. He believed this would help the national economy.The south opposed this deal because they didn’t have much war debt. They agreed that the federal government would assume state’s debt and the capital would be moved from New York City. The capital would be moved from New York City. The capital would be in Philadelphia for ten years as the permanent capital is being built near the Potomac River.The Potomac River is in Washington D.C.

Front 6

Tariffs and the National Bank

Back 6

Hamilton pushed for higher tariffs that would protect U.S. manufacturing.Hamilton wanted to start a national bank where the government could safely deposit its money. It would also loan money to the government and businesses.Hamilton also wanted the U.S. to build a national mint. Then the nation could begin issuing its own money .In February 1791 Congress enacted the charter for the Bank of the United States. Every time you reissue a bill you have to destroy it.

Front 7

French Revolution

Back 7

Tension between the France and Britain began to grow after the start of the French Revolution. The two sides later went to war with each other.Antifederalists supported the French, and the Federalists supported the French.Washington wanted to stay neutral. The Neutrality Proclamation started that the United States would not take sides with any European nations that were at war.The French Revolution sent shockwaves through Europe because all the kings felt vulnerable.

Front 8

Jay's Treaty/Pinckney's Treaty

Back 8

In 1793 the British seized ships carrying food to the French West Indies. British officers were helping Native Americans fight settlers.Washington sent John Hay to London to work out a compromise between the two sides.In November 1794 the two sides signed Jay’s Treaty. The treaty made the British pay for damages on seized ships and to abandon forts in the northwestern frontier. The Americans agreed to pay debts it owed the British. The treaty as unpopular at home.

American businesses faced problems as well. Spain disputed the border between the U.S. and Florida and closed the port of New Orleans to U.S. trade in 1784.Washington asked Ambassador Thomas Pinckney to meet with Spanish officials to discuss the problem.In October 1795, Span agreed to Pinckney Treaty. It settled the border and trade disputes with Spain.The treaty was popular at home.

Front 9

Frontier War

Back 9

Americans continued to settle the Northwest territory despite Native American attacks. A Native American alliance under the command of Chief Little Turtle were able to defeat U.S. forces in 1790 and 1791.This changed when U.S. forces were successful in the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794.In August 1795, Native American leaders signed the Treaty of Greenville, which gave the U.S. claim to most Native American land.

Front 10

Whiskey Rebellion

Back 10

Congress passed a tax on American-made whiskey in 1791. People in Western Pennsylvania were upset about the taz and role of the federal government.By 1794 fighting had broken out. Incidents of violence spread to other states. President Washington feared that the rebels threatened the federal government’s authority.He personally led the 13,000 member army against the rebellion. Rebels fled before the army got there.