The “new republic” means the United States after independence—a nation trying to turn republican ideas into working government. You can mark two key moments: 1776 (the Declaration of Independence) begins the break from Britain, but the new republic’s constitutional government was formed when the Constitution was ratified and went into effect in 1789 (George Washington’s first presidency). During the 1780s–1790s leaders (Washington, Adams, Hamilton, Jefferson) built institutions and precedents—Bank of the United States, Proclamation of Neutrality, Whiskey Rebellion responses—and the 1790s saw the Federalist vs. Democratic-Republican split described in the CED (KC-3.2.III.A/B). For Topic 3.10 review, see the Fiveable study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ). Want practice? Try AP U.S. History problems at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

During Washington’s presidency (1789–1797) the new federal government was actually built in practice—he and his team created key institutions and precedents the AP CED highlights. Hamilton set economic policy: the Bank of the United States, assumption of state debts, and a federal tax system (including the whiskey tax) that reinforced national fiscal power. Washington’s enforcement of the Whiskey Rebellion showed the government could enforce law. Foreign policy choices—Proclamation of Neutrality, Jay Treaty, Pinckney’s Treaty—defined neutrality and diplomacy, while the Farewell Address warned against permanent foreign alliances and political factions. Those controversies helped produce the first parties (Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans). These developments matter on AP prompts because they show how ideas in the Constitution were put into practice and how conflicts over economy and foreign policy intensified political competition. For a focused review, see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Washington warned against “factions” in his Farewell Address, but parties formed because leaders had deep, practical disagreements about how the new republic should work. In the 1790s Alexander Hamilton favored a strong national government, a Bank of the United States, and closer economic ties with Britain; Jefferson and Madison wanted limited federal power, stronger states’ rights, and support for the French Revolution. Those conflicts over economic policy, constitutional interpretation (loose vs. strict construction), and foreign policy (Neutrality, Jay Treaty, France vs. Britain) pushed politicians and voters into organized coalitions—the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. Parties helped structure debate, mobilize voters, and build institutions (Congress, the presidency) that put the Constitution into practice (KC-3.2.III.A/B). For AP study, focus on these causes and key examples (Bank, Jay Treaty, Whiskey Rebellion) for short answers and essays (see Topic 3.10 study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ). For more practice, try the 1,000+ AP questions at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

The French Revolution mattered to the U.S. because it forced the new republic to pick foreign-policy and political sides—and those choices shaped parties and precedents you’ll be tested on. War between France and Britain (KC-3.3.II.B) pressured Washington to issue the Proclamation of Neutrality (and later his Farewell Address warning against permanent alliances), while disputes over free trade, the Jay Treaty, and the XYZ Affair split leaders into Federalists (Hamilton) who favored order and closer Britain ties and Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson/Madison) who sympathized with revolutionary France (KC-3.2.III.B). Those fights produced crises like the Alien and Sedition Acts and shaped early institutions (KC-3.2.III.A). Why care? You’ll need these links for multiple-choice and FRQ/LEQ/DBQ prompts about foreign policy, party formation, and the balance of liberty vs. order. Review Topic 3.10 on Fiveable for a focused study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Federalists (Hamilton, Adams) vs. Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson, Madison): - Federalists: wanted a strong national government, a commercial/industrial economy, a national bank (Bank of the United States), and loose/elastic interpretation of the Constitution. Favored good relations with Britain, supported measures to strengthen order (e.g., Alien and Sedition Acts, response to Whiskey Rebellion) and policies promoting credit and manufacturing. - Democratic-Republicans: wanted limited federal power, stronger state rights, an agrarian republic, strict construction of the Constitution, and sympathy for revolutionary France. They opposed the national bank and many Federalist economic policies and pushed back on what they saw as threats to liberty and states’ authority. These party differences shaped early U.S. diplomacy, economic policy, and precedents under Washington and Adams (Topic 3.10). For a focused review, see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Hamilton and Jefferson disagreed about how to build the new nation. Hamilton (Federalist) wanted a strong national government, a commercial economy powered by banks and industry, and close ties with Britain. He backed the Bank of the United States, federal assumption of state debts, and policies to encourage business (think: Whiskey Rebellion response showing federal power). Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) favored limited federal power, stronger state and local control, an agrarian society of independent farmers, and sympathy for revolutionary France. He opposed the national bank as unconstitutional and worried federal economic power would concentrate wealth. Their fights shaped early party politics, debates over the Constitution’s implied powers, and U.S. foreign policy in the 1790s (Proclamation of Neutrality, Jay Treaty). For APUSH, link these disagreements to Topic 3.10 (formation of Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans) and use the Fiveable study guide for this topic (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ). Practice questions there can help you spot exam-style prompts (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Even after independence, Britain and Spain stayed problems because U.S. power was limited and borders were unsettled. Britain kept frontier forts and restricted U.S. trade with the Caribbean and West Indies, seized ships during European wars, and supported some American Indian resistance—issues the Washington administration tried to fix with Jay’s Treaty (which eased Anglo-American tensions but angered Republicans). Spain controlled Florida and much of the Mississippi River’s mouth, blocking western settlers’ access to New Orleans and supporting Indian claims; Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) finally guaranteed U.S. navigation rights and eased that conflict. These disputes tied into bigger CED themes: free navigation, westward migration, Indian treaty problems, and early diplomatic precedents under Washington and Adams. For AP prep, know Jay Treaty, Pinckney’s Treaty, Treaty of Greenville, and how foreign pressures helped create party divides (Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans). Review Topic 3.10 on Fiveable (study guide: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Washington set several key precedents: creating a presidential cabinet, asserting federal authority (Whiskey Rebellion), establishing neutrality in foreign wars (1793 Proclamation of Neutrality), supporting a strong fiscal policy through Hamilton’s programs (Bank, debt assumption), and stepping down after two terms (Farewell Address warning against factions and permanent alliances). For the DBQ, these matter two ways: context and evidence. Use Washington’s precedents in your contextualization to show how 1789–1800 leaders turned Constitutional ideas into practice (KC-3.2.III.A, KC-3.3.II.B/C). As outside evidence, cite the Whiskey Rebellion or the Farewell Address to support claims about federal power, party formation, or foreign policy choices. When sourcing documents, compare their POVs to Washington’s actions (e.g., Federalist vs. Republican reactions). That helps you meet DBQ tasks: contextualization, use of outside evidence, and sourcing for at least two documents. For quick review, see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and grab practice DBQs at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

As settlers pushed past the Appalachians they bumped into other countries’ interests, creating diplomatic crises. British forts and trade ties with Native tribes remained in the Old Northwest, so U.S. expansion led to tensions that the Jay Treaty and the Treaty of Greenville tried to manage (CED KC-3.3.II.A; KC-3.3.I.D). In the South and West, Spanish control of Florida, Louisiana, and the Mississippi’s mouth blocked U.S. farmers’ access to markets, so Washington negotiated Pinckney’s Treaty to secure navigation rights. Expansion also provoked international competition: foreign powers (especially Britain and Spain) continued to claim influence on the continent, and unsettled land claims raised treaty disputes with American Indian nations. These conflicts show why early U.S. diplomacy focused on territory, trade, and balancing relations with European powers—stuff you should connect to the AP exam’s emphasis on foreign policy precedents (e.g., Farewell Address, Proclamation of Neutrality). For a focused review see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Short answer: The federal government couldn’t handle Native American treaties properly because its relationship with tribes was legally and practically ambiguous. The Constitution didn’t clearly define tribal sovereignty, so treaties signed under the Confederation or early republic (like the Treaty of Greenville) competed with state laws and settlers’ land grabs. Federal weakness (limited troops, money) and local/state pressure to open land meant treaties were often under-enforced or ignored. Foreign powers (British, Spanish) and rival Native nations added diplomatic complexity (KC-3.3.II.A, KC-3.3.I.D). Finally, rapid westward migration and violent frontier conflicts made negotiated boundaries unstable—settlers moved in faster than the government could protect treaty terms. For a quick review of these causes, see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

When parties formed in the 1790s the consequences were big and durable. They turned loose-floating disagreements into organized competition: Federalists (Hamilton) favored a strong national government, Bank of the United States, and pro-British trade policies (e.g., Jay Treaty); Democratic-Republicans (Jefferson/Madison) pushed states’ rights, agrarianism, and pro-French sympathy (Proclamation of Neutrality and the XYZ Affair intensified these splits). Parties created a partisan press, sharper regional and class divides, and new means of mobilizing voters—which showed up in the elections of 1796 and 1800. They also produced real policy effects and crises: the Whiskey Rebellion tested federal power, and the Alien and Sedition Acts revealed how parties could use government to limit opposition. For the AP exam, this topic ties to causation and continuity/change (LEQ/SAQ prompts) and to how early institutions and precedents were set. Review the Topic 3.10 study guide for targeted notes (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and try practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

For an SAQ about Washington’s foreign-policy challenges, do this in ~3–5 sentences per part: 1) Directly answer the prompt (thesis): e.g., “Washington faced British impressment and frontier British/Spanish presence while the French Revolution forced a neutrality choice that split domestic politics.” 2) Support with 2–3 specific pieces of evidence from the CED: Proclamation of Neutrality (1793), Jay Treaty (1794) to ease British tensions, Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) with Spain for Mississippi navigation, and Washington’s Farewell Address warning against permanent alliances. 3) Explain briefly how the evidence connects to the claim: show cause/effect (neutrality preserved trade but fueled partisan divisions—Federalists/Hamilton vs. Jeffersonian Republicans). Mention the broader context: westward migration and competing European interests intensified conflicts (KC-3.3.II.A/B; KC-3.2.III.A/B). For phrasing and practice, use the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and drill SAQs at (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Short answer: both. The new republic solved some urgent problems but created new ones. Successes: the Constitution and Washington’s precedents created workable national institutions (executive departments, a federal judiciary, the Bank of the United States) that stabilized finances and gave the federal government authority to act (Hamilton’s fiscal plan, suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion). Diplomatically the Jay and Pinckney treaties helped keep peace and secured navigation/commerce. Westward settlement continued under treaties like Greenville (see Topic 3.10 study guide) (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ). Problems created: intense partisan conflict (Federalists v. Democratic-Republicans), crises over neutrality in the French Revolution, controversial measures like the Alien and Sedition Acts that raised questions about free speech and federal power, and ambiguous federal–Native American relations that led to dispossession. Those tensions shaped LEQ/DBQ arguments you’ll see on the exam. If you want a focused review for essays and practice questions, check the unit study guide (above) and Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

Hamilton and Jefferson clashed because they had fundamentally different visions for the new nation’s economy and the role of the federal government. Hamilton (Federalist) wanted a strong national government that could stabilize finances—assume state debts, create a Bank of the United States, support tariffs and subsidies to build manufacturing, and back close commercial ties with Britain. Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) favored an agrarian republic of independent farmers, strict construction of the Constitution (no federal power unless explicitly granted), low taxes, and closer sympathy with revolutionary France. Those policy choices reflected deeper disagreements about how to balance liberty and order, who should hold political power (commercial elites vs. yeoman farmers), and how foreign ties shaped policy. On the AP exam, expect this under Topic 3.10/party development (Bank, Whiskey Rebellion, Jay Treaty). Review the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).

The French Revolution mattered to U.S. politics because it forced Americans to pick sides and turned foreign events into domestic arguments. When France and Britain went to war, Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) and Hamilton’s pro-British economic views opposed Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans’ pro-French sympathies. That split helped create the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties and shaped debates over trade, the Bank of the United States, and how strong the national government should be (KC-3.2.III.B). Crises like the XYZ Affair under John Adams led to the Alien and Sedition Acts and intense arguments about liberty vs. order. Washington’s Farewell warning against permanent alliances reflects how risky foreign entanglements looked (KC-3.3.II.C). For AP prep, practice explaining these cause-and-effect links in short answers and DBQs—see the Topic 3.10 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-us-history/unit-3/shaping-new-republic/study-guide/jDcJK92nIldkFTb5QJpZ) and try practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-us-history).