A History of the United States: Chapter 9: The Federalist Era

16 words 740 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. precedent
    an example that is used to justify similar occurrences
    Washington knew that his actions and decisions would set precedents, or traditions, that would help shape the nation's future.
  2. cabinet
    group chosen by a head of state to run executive departments
    The three department heads and the attorney general had many important duties. Among them was giving advice to the president. Together, this group of top executive advisers formed what is called a cabinet.
  3. uniform
    always the same
    Some favored a uniform legal system for the entire nation.
  4. bond
    a certificate of debt issued by a government or corporation
    When borrowing money from citizens during the American Revolution, the government issued bonds. These are notes that promise repayment of borrowed money in the future.
  5. accumulate
    collect or gather
    These states had accumulated, or built up, much less debt than the Northern states.
  6. compromise
    an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
    To win support for his plan, Hamilton worked out a compromise with Southern leaders. If they voted for his plan to pay off the state debts, he would support locating the nation's capital in the South.
  7. maintain
    keep in a certain state, position, or activity
    His action sent a strong message to the public: The government would use force to maintain order.
  8. issue
    bring out an official document
    President Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality, which prohibited Americans from fighting in the war.
  9. impressment
    the act of forcing someone into government service
    Then, they forced the American crews into the British navy. Americans were outraged by this practice of impressment.
  10. partisan
    devoted to a cause or political group
    Even Washington was partisan—clearly favoring one faction.
  11. distinct
    not alike; different in nature or quality
    The differences found in Washington's cabinet also existed in Congress and among the public. They formed the basis for two distinct political parties that emerged at this time.
  12. caucus
    a closed political meeting
    To prepare for the election, both parties held caucuses. At these meetings, members of Congress and other leaders nominated, or chose, their parties' candidates for office.
  13. resolve
    reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation
    President Adams sent a team to Paris to try to resolve the dispute in the fall of 1797.
  14. alien
    a person who comes from a foreign country
    They became more suspicious of aliens—residents who are not citizens.
  15. sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
    In response to these concerns, Federalists in 1798 passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. Sedition means activities aimed at weakening the government.
  16. nullify
    declare invalid
    The Kentucky Resolution further said that states could nullify—legally overturn—federal laws they thought were unconstitutional.
Created on Mon Jun 14 16:06:51 EDT 2021 (updated Fri Jun 18 08:51:20 EDT 2021)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.