Key Concepts of Early U.S. History

Negotiating peace treaties with Great Britain

Leading the Continental Army

Drafting the Declaration of Independence

Serving as the first Vice President

He wrote most of the Constitution's articles

His presence gave the Constitution credibility and legitimacy

He actively debated and shaped many of the ideas

He served as the chief legal advisor

He had to fight another war with Great Britain

There was no established guide or precedent for the role of president

Most citizens wanted him to become a king instead of a president

He struggled to gain public support for the new government

Expanding the nation's territory through conquest

Unifying a nation that was still divided and identified with individual states

Creating a strong military to defend against European powers

Establishing trade agreements with foreign countries

To eliminate all taxes on imported goods

To establish a national bank and have the federal government assume state debts

To give individual states complete control over their own economies

To reduce the power of the federal government

Jeffersonians favored a strong central government, while Hamiltonians favored states' rights.

Jeffersonians favored states' rights, while Hamiltonians favored a strong central government.

Both parties favored a strong central government.

Both parties favored a weak central government.

He believed they would make the government too efficient.

He thought they would lead to stronger international alliances.

He feared they would divide the nation and cause conflict.

He worried they would make elections too competitive.

He wanted to support the British against the French.

He believed America was too young and fragile to afford another war.

He wanted to form new alliances with other European countries.

He was ordered to do so by the French government.

A tax on tea imposed by the British.

Farmers protesting the high price of mules.

An excise tax on whiskey that angered western farmers.

A dispute over land ownership in Pennsylvania.

The tradition of a presidential farewell address.

The idea that presidents should serve for life.

The two-term limit for future presidents.

The practice of appointing cabinet members.