Katie L. New Nation Study Guide

Study Guide: New Nation Test Questions

By: Katie Logue

Important Vocabulary

Give important information about the 3 branches of government.

What is a “precedent” and what effect does it have?

What is the difference between the Secretary of Treasury and the Secretary of State?

Important VocabularyThe Branches of Government include these: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The Legislative creates the laws, Executive enforces the laws, and Judicial makes sure the laws are constitutional.Precedent means to be used as an example laterSecretary of Treasury (Alexander Hamilton) manages government revenue. Secretary of State is a government official that manages specific countries, linking them to their own county.

Life in 1790

What types of problems did the new nation face in 1790?

How did the citizens respond to the 1st National Bank?

Life in 1790Creating the 1st National Government was difficult because of many reasons. A trained army was needed, and since the government didn’t have enough money, it was hard organizing one (weapons, etc.) Education funding and relationships with countries needed to be addressed.Many people opposed the national bank, like Southern congressmen and people in the House of Representatives, fearing proposed taxes would fall mostly on the southern states.

Geography in 1790

What geographical conditions made it hard for people living in 1790?

Were there any geographical conditions that the people benefited from?

Geography in 1790Citizens were just getting used to their 1st government, so the moving of the capitals from New York City to Washington D.C. called for geographical financing, where the beliefs of where the capital should be could be based on geographical conflicts, like landscaping and mountainous areas.People benefited from the rich source of soil and water in many places, but where many slaves came from, like the South, the humid weather made life difficult. Cold weather didn’t do too much good either- so climate change affected people.

Crucial Conductors What do you think were some of George Washington’s concerns going into office?How did Vice President John Adams feel about his place in government?How strong did Thomas Jefferson believe the federal government should be?Vice President John Adams

Crucial ConductorsGeorge Washington was faced with issues in the military and trade. He had to establish relationships with other countries, and education needed to be addressed. It was his job to make sure America was safe, so his personal worries must have taken over. He could have felt overwhelmed with people counting on him to make allies or enemies, trade or dispatch of trade.John Adams was called out of cabinet meetings, so he never had an opinion in those meetings. As Senate president, he could only step in when there was a tie in voting. He was often very frustrated by his limited role in GW’s presidency.

Enough Money?

Do you think money spent on the war was partially wasted? Why or why not?

Why was the country in debt after the war? Give at least 2 examples.

What are “bonds” and how are they used?

Enough Money?Opinionated Answer: Ex; I do think money spent on the war was partially wasted because after spending money on the war, the U.S. Government had run out of money, and owed a lot to other countries and bonds to certain people.The war was in debt because the federal government couldn’t pay back bondholders, so they sold their bonds to speculators. Massachusetts hadn’t paid its debts back, and the federal government owed money to existing countries.Bonds are debt security. When you buy a bond, you’re lending money to the government.

Loose vs Strict InterpretationDid Alexander Hamilton believe in loose or strict interpretation of the Constitution? Thomas Jefferson?If you were living in the 1790’s, would you view The Constitution loosely (flexibly) or strictly (if not in the Constitution, not authorized)?

Loose vs Strict Interpretation

Alexander Hamilton believed in loose interpretation. Thomas Jefferson believe in strict interpretation.

Opinionated Answer: Ex; It depends. If I felt we needed a national bank, then I’d probably go with loose interpretation of the constitution. But if it was necessary to tear down or build a new form of government, I’d probably go with strict interpretation.

National Bank

Did George Washington support the 1st National Bank? Why or why not?

Why was the bank created?

Who officially proposed the bank?

National BankYes. George Washington did support it because he viewed this as an organization to solve the debt.The bank was created to operate the bought and paid bonds as well as manage money in the states.Alexander Hamilton proposed it. He decided to tax farmers (specifically, a whiskey tax) to pay off the debt and borrowed money from other countries. He had many people who were “with” him in creating the bank, and many people opposed it.

Foreign Policy

Define foreign policy and what it is.

What was the difference between Foreign Policy and Domestic Policy?

Foreign Policy

Foreign Policy: a nation’s views and actions towards other nations which is how a country deals with issues in its own nation.

Domestic Policy: includes plans and actions of government affecting internal (inside the US) affairs. The Constitution and balance of power between branches guarantee rights for citizens of America.

The Neutrality Proclamation

What conflict did the Neutrality Proclamation settle?

Neutrality Proclamation

The Neutrality Proclamation declared the nation neutral (not taking a side) to the conflict rising between Great Britain and France. It also threatened any American citizen who tried to assist warring countries.

Slavery: George Washington’s Presidency

What was George Washington’s take on slavery?

How were slaves treated during Washington’s presidency?

Slavery: George Washington’s Presidency

George Washington didn’t really stand for slavery, but since his wife Martha had owned slaves, he never spoke up and said he was against it.

George Washington treated the slaves fairly well. He gave them reasonable break time, but the slaves usually worked for most part of the day. He just never took a public stand against it.

George Washington’s Farewell Address

In the first paragraph of his farewell address, what do you think he was trying to say?

How did people react to this?

George Washington’s Farewell Address

Opinionated Answer: Ex; I think George Washington was implying that he hoped he had done a good job as the first president. But I also think he was saying that he made mistakes. When he had said, “the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable,” he had said that even with the most work/effort/energy, mistakes have been made.People reacted to this in different ways. People could have felt like they didn’t know him as well. He had stated that he had made mistakes, and people agreed and disagreed with that.