New Nation Questionnaire

By: Emily Lloyd and Zoë Shribman

1. Define the term precedent.

1. Define the term precedent.

A precedent is an action or decision that later serves as anexample.

2. What is the President's Cabinet? Name 2 of Washington'scabinet members.

2. What is the President's Cabinet? Name 2 of Washington'scabinet members.

The Cabinet is a group of official advisors to the president, andthe heads of specific government departments. ThomasJefferson- Secretary of State, Alexander Hamilton-Secretary of the Treasury, General Henry Knox- Secretaryof War, Edmund Randolph- Attorney General, and SamuelOsgood- Postmaster General.

3. What is the Electoral College? How many electoral votesdoes a candidate need to win the presidency?

3. What is the Electoral College? How many electoral votesdoes a candidate need to win the presidency?

The Electoral College is a group of delegates selected by thestate legislatures to represent the popular vote in thepresidential election. 270 votes.

4. Name 5 jobs that were common in America in 1790.

4. Name 5 jobs that were common in America in 1790.

Lawyer, Farmer, Doctor, Barber, Blacksmith, Carpenter,Saddler, Cooper, Printer, Wigmaker, Hatter.

5. What was the first capital of the United States?

5. What was the first capital of the United States?

New York

6. Name 7 rivers in North America. What is the significanceof these rivers in the trade industry?

6. Name 7 rivers in North America. What is the significanceof these rivers in the trade industry?

Connecticut River, Potomac River, Hudson River, OhioRiver, St. Lawrence River, Mississippi River, DelawareRiver, James River, or Savannah River. These riversprovided a great way to trade in 1790. They allowed forgoods to get from one part of the country to another in thequickest way possible.

7. What was the name of the mountain range that ranthrough the United States? What states did it go through?

Name one advantage and one disadvantage of thisgeographical feature.

7. What was the name of the mountain range that ranthrough the United States? What states did it go through?

Name one advantage and one disadvantage of thisgeographical feature.

Appalachian Mountains. Ranged from the middle of Maine tothe Middle of Georgia. Advantage: protected Americansagainst Native American attacks. Disadvantage: verydifficult to get to the western side of the United States.

8. Who is in George Washington’s cabinet and what is thererole (secretary of……..)

8. Who is in George Washington’s cabinet and what is theirrole (Secretary of……..)?

There are 5 people. They are Alexander Hamilton, Secretary ofTreasury, Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State, and HenryKnox, Secretary of War, Edmund Randolph, AttorneyGeneral, Samuel Osgood, Postmaster General.

9. Who came up with the idea of Democratic/Republicansand what did he believe?

9. Who came up with the idea of Democratic/Republicansand what did he believe?

Thomas Jefferson come up with Democratic/Republicans. TheDemocratic/Republicans believe that there should not be astrong federal government. They think that the everydaycommon Americans should be in charge of the government.

10. Who was the first president, who was his vice president,and how long did he serve?

10. Who was the first president, who was his vice president,and how long did he serve?

George Washington was the first president, and John Adamswas his vice president. George Washington served for twoterms, 8 years.

11. What was the first economic problem the U.S. faced?Who came up with the solution?

11. What was the first economic problem the U.S. faced?Who came up with the solution?

The first economic problem the U.S. faced was that the stateand federal governments owed several citizens and foreigncountries money from the war. In other words, they were indebt. Hamilton proposed the idea to payback the othercountries first, and then the money to the bondholders.

12. The South would help the North pay off the debts fromthe war. What would the North do in return?

12. The South would help the North pay off the debts fromthe war. What would the North do in return?

The North agreed to move the capital closer to the Southpermanently.

13. What does it mean to believe in loose interpretation?Strict interpretation?

13. What does it mean to believe in loose interpretation,strict interpretation?

If you believe in loose interpretation then you think it is okto have a little flexibility in what the Constitution says, soyou would think that even though it doesn’t say that thegovernment has a certain power you still believe that itdoes. Strict interpretation is when you believe that thegovernment only has the powers listed in the Constitution,nothing else.

14. Does the ”necessary and proper" clause help interpretthe constitution loosely or strictly?

14. Does the ”Necessary and Proper" clause help interpretthe Constitution loosely or strictly?

The Necessary and Proper Clause, also called the ElasticClause help interpret the Constitution loosely. If acongressman wanted to make a law to give a power to thefederal government, and was not specifically stated as afederal power, in the Constitution, but they thought it wasnecessary and proper, then it could become a law.

15. Alexander Hamilton believes a the national bank should becreated. What are some reasons he thinks this?

15. Alexander Hamilton believes in that the national bank shouldbe created. What are some reasons why he thinks this?

Alexander Hamilton thinks that there should be a nationalbank because he thinks it will help the country grow strong.The national bank will provide a safe place for the taxmoney; also it can help businesses grow by loaning themmoney if they need it. Hamilton thought that the nationalbank was “necessary and proper”.

16. What is Thomas Jefferson’s main argument for nothaving a national bank?

16. What is Thomas Jefferson’s main argument for nothaving a national bank?

First of all Thomas Jefferson believed in strict interpretation ofthe Constitution. So he thought that because no where in theConstitution did say that the federal government could makea national bank, he thinks that it should not be allowed.

17. When there was a war between France and Austria,Prussia, Sardinia, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, what

did George Washington decide to do?

17. When there was a war between France and Austria,Prussia, Sardinia, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, what

did George Washington decide to do?

George Washington decided to stay neutral, or stay out of thewar by not siding with either side.

18. What was Jay’s treaty (with what country and what didit say)?

18. What was Jay’s treaty (with what country and what didit say)?

Jay’s treaty was a treaty with Britain. It says that the Britishwill pay for the damage of the U.S ships that they hadseized. Also they would still allow some U.S ships to stilltrade certain items. They also promised to move theirtroops out of America, still from the American Revolution.In return American would pay their debts before theFrench revolution.

19. What is the basic idea of the neutrality Proclamation?Who said it?

19. What is the basic idea of the Neutrality Proclamation?Who said it?

George Washington said the Neutrality Proclamation. Thebasic idea of it was that the U.S is going to stay out of thewar, neutral, and that we should tell everyone in America thedecision. It also said that if you try to help one side of thewar in any way, you will be in big trouble.

20. Name 2 times the Constitution mentioned slavery.

20. Name 2 of the times the Constitution mentioned slavery.

The Constitution mentioned slavery in the 3/5 Compromise, inthe Fugitive Slave Act, and when it said that the slave tradecould not be banned until 1808.

21. What did George Washington think about slavery? Whendid he talk about it publicly?

21. What did George Washington think about slavery? Whendid he talk about it publicly?

George Washington did not believe slavery was just, yet heowned 316 slaves himself. He never publicly spoke aboutslavery during his entire time in office.

22. What is one purpose of George Washington's farewelladdress?

22. What is one purpose of George Washington's farewelladdress?

Washington wanted to tell the nation that he was worried aboutpolitical parties being created by their locations.

CREDITS

Questions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,11,12,20, and 21 by Zoë

Questions 8,9,10,13,14,15,16,17,18, and 19 by Emily