Mt. Vernon Conference

A meeting of delegates from Virginia and Maryland at George Washington's Virginia home in March 1785. The delegates were charged with dealing with commerce, fishing, and navigation of the Potomac and Pocomoke Rivers. It was a success and a report was prepared for the two states' legislatures.

Annapolis Convention

 "The Framers"

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Checks & Balances

A system of separation of powers that was regulated by having the branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) limit eachother.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a bicameral legistlature with both houses being determined by population. This is also known as the Randolph Plan or the Large-State Plan.

New Jersey Plan

Also known as the Paterson Plan or Small-State Plan, this asked for a unicameral legislature under equal representation, or one vote per state.

The Great Compromise

Also known as the Connecticut Compromise or Sherman's Compromise, this was an agreement between large and small states for a bicameral legislature with one house being based on population and the other house equal.

Connecticut Plan

Plan for a bicameral legislature with one house being based on population and the other house equal.

3/5ths Compromise

A compromise between Northern and Southern states where slaves count as 3/5ths of a citizen when determining population for representation and for direct taxes.

Commercial Compromise

Electoral College

A system made up of a group of electors appointed by states to cast formal votes for president and vice president. It was discussed at the Constitutional Convention and first proposed by the Virginians. The Virginia Plan was used as a basis for this system.

Federalists

Anti-Federalists

Were opposed to the Constitution for its lack of a Bill of Rights. Also supported a weak central government, strong state governments, and small farm owners and landowners.

The Federalsit Papers

A series of 85 essays/articles supporting the radification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

Name for the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution that lists the rights of the people and the limits of the national government. It was introduced by James Madison.

National debt

Money owed by a government.

Tariffs

Taxes on imports or exports.

Excise Taxes

Inland taxes on the sale of certain goods, especially those produced for sale.

Proclamation of Neutrality

A formal announcement made by President George Washington in 1793 declaring the nation neutral in conflict between France and Britain. It threatened legal proceedings to any Americans assiting warring countries. Lead to the Neutrality Act of 1794.

Jay Treaty (1794)

An agreement between Britain and the United States credited with avoiding war and resolving issues since the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War. It facilitated 10 years of peaceful trade between the two countries.

Pinckney's Treaty (1795)

Agreement that established good relations between the United States and Spain and defined boundaries between America and the Spanish Colonies. It guaranteed navigation rights to Spain on the Mississippi River. It ended the West Florida Controversy.

Right of Deposit

When one country gives another the right to store goods for export at a port.

Battle of Fallen Timbers

Final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indian tribes and the United States for control of the Northwest Territory.

Whiskey Rebellion

Tax protest of the 1790's. Farmers who sold their corn in the form of whiskey had to pay a strongly resented tax. People attacked tax collectors and tax inspectors. Washington was able to supress the rebels, showing that the new government can handle rebellions.

Public Land Act (1796)

One of a series of acts for the government to make some revenue on land south of Lake Erie. On buying land, 1/4 of the purchase price is to be paid up front and the rest in installments over 4 years.

Democratic-Republican Party

Political party founded by Jefferson and Madison. Believed in more power to the people by letting more people vote and favored freedom of speech and press.

George Washington's Farewell Address

Drafted originally in 1792 with the help of James Madison at the end of President Washinton's first term; later revised 4 years later with the help of Hamilton. Declines a third term, supports the government, defends the administration, and gives advice to Americans.

XYZ Affair

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A diplomatic episode that Americans interpreted as an insult from France. Three French agents wanted to be paid by Americans just for a chance to talk to the Prime Minister. The incident lead to the Quasi-War.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Four bills passed by Federalists in the aftermath of the French Revolution's reign of terror. Included laws of naturalization, aliens, alien enemies, and punishment of certain crimes.

Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions

Poliitical statements where legislatures of two states took the position that the Alien and Sedition acts were unconstitutional. It argued for states' rights and was secretly written by Jefferson and Madison.

"Revolution of 1800"

U.S. Presidential election that ushered in Democratic-Republican rule. Vice President Jefferson defeated President John Adams, exposing flaws in the electoral college.

James Madison

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Leader of Democratic-Republican party; "Father of the Constitution;" helped with Federalist Papers; author of Bill of Rights; 4th President.

Alexander Hamilton

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Founding Father; the leader of the Federalist party; Secretary of Treasury under Washington and served with the President in the Whiskey Rebellion.

Gouverneur Morris

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Founding Father; author of preamble of Constitution; New Yorker who represented Pennsylvania in the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Henry Knox

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Military officer of Continental Army and the United States Army; Secretary of War under Washington.

Edmund Randolph

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Attorney General under Washington; delegate from Virginia to Constitutional Convention; introduced the Virginia Plan; 2nd Secretary of State

Edmond-Charles "Citizen" Genêt

French Ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution; Rounded up American troops to fight against the British, endangering America's neutrality.

John Jay

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Founding father; President of the Continental Congress; ambassador to Spain and France; tried to secure peace terms with Britain; cowrote Federalist Papers and was the first Cheif Justice of the Supreme Court; a leader of the Federalist Party.

John Adams

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Massachusetts delegate to Continental Congress; negotiator of peace treaty with Britain; Vice President under Washington for two terms; supported Alien and Sedition Acts.; Second President.

Thomas Jefferson

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Represented Virginia in Continental Congress; U.S. Minister to France; leader of the Democratic-Republican party; first Secretary of State and third President.

Richard Henry Lee

Responsible for motion at 2nd Continental Congress for declaring independence from Britain; signed Articles of Confederation; Senator from Virginia and President pro tempore of Senate.

Patrick Henry

Founding Father; a leader of the Anti-Federalists; "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!"