Things to Know for STAAR
Glossary of Terms & Content for 8th Grade SS STAAR
Early Republic - 1st Presidents
Alien Act
allowed the President to expel any foreigners he thought were dangerous to the country
Andrew Jackson
general of the United States that became a hero in the Battle of New Orleans
Bank of the United States
a national bank to help build a strong economy, caused division and led to creation of political parties (Federalists and Democratic Republicans)
Battle of New Orleans
gave the United States its greatest victory in the War of 1812 and made Andrew Jackson an instant hero, fought after the Treaty of Ghent was already begun
Democratic-Republican Party
political party that developed in opposition to the Federalists, supported strong state governments, opposed the national bank, had an emphasis on agriculture, and followed a strict interpretation of the Constitution
Dolley Madison
wife of James Madison, was responsible for saving the presidential portrait of Washington from burning in the White House when the British attacked during the War of 1812
Era of Good Feelings
time period after the War of 1812 and during Monroe's presidency where Federalist policies began to disappear and people began to have a renewed sense of nationalism
Federalist Party
political party that began by supporting the ratification of the Constitution, later favored a strong national government, a national bank, had an emphasis on manufacturing, and followed a loose interpretation of the Constitution
Francis Scott Key
wrote the "Star Spangled Banner" as he witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812
George Washington
first president of the United States who established many precedents for others to follow
Impressement
act of seizing men from a ship or village and forcing them to serve in the Navy
James Madison
the fourth president of the United States, commander in chief during the War of 1812
James Monroe
fifth president of the United States, established foreign policy that has been a precedent for current presidents
john adams
second president of the United States and a founding member of the Federalist Party
judicial review
an implied power of the Supreme Court to decide whether acts of a president or laws passed by Congress are unconstitutional
Judiciary Act of 1789
established a federal court system with 13 district courts and three circuit courts to serve the nation
Lewis and Clark Expedition
expert frontiersman who explored the great unknown land (Louisiana Purchase) west to the Pacific Ocean
Loose interpretation of the Constitution
everything not directly written out in the document is allowed, readers have the ability to make inferences
louisiana purchase
land purchased that doubled the size of the United States; $15 million paid to France by President Jefferson (forced Jefferson to adopt a "loose interpretation" of what the Constitution allowed)
Marbury v. Madison
a ruling that established the Supreme Court's right to decide if a law violates the Constitution (judicial review)
Monroe Doctrine
a statement issued stating the United States would not interfere with any existing European colonies; however, no European nation could establish a new colony in the Western Hemisphere
napoleon bonaparte
French leader that sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States
Sacagawea
a Shoshone woman that joined the Lewis and Clark Expedition as an interpreter
sedition
any action, especially in speech or writing, promoting such discontent or rebellion of ones government or government officials
Sedition Act
law that allowed fines or jail sentences for citizens who criticized public officials
Star Spangled Banner
national anthem written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812
Strict interpretation of the Constitution
a close or narrow reading of a document, it only means what is actually written
Thomas Jefferson
third president of the United States, founded the Democratic-Republicans, purchased Louisiana from France to double the size of the United States
Treaty of Ghent
officially ended the War of 1812. Both Britain and the United States agreed to return matters to the way they had been before the war.
War of 1812
war with Britain over British treatment of American ships and what some saw as a lack of respect for the new government
War Hawks
members of Congress from the South and West who wanted war with Britain. They felt Britain still treated the United States like a colony.
whiskey rebellion
a group of farmers who attacked tax collectors, George Washington send in federal troops sending the message that the government would use force when necessary
XYZ Affair
three French agents demand a bribe from the United States in exchange for not taking American ships