Early National period

Definition

The Early National period refers to the era in American history following the Revolutionary War, extending from approximately 1783 to 1820. It encompasses important events such as the writing of the U.S. Constitution, the establishment of political parties, and westward expansion.

Related terms

Federalism: Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority (federal government) and individual states. This division allows for shared governance while maintaining some level of independence for each state.

Marbury v. Madison: Marbury v. Madison was a landmark Supreme Court case in 1803 that established judicial review – the power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase: The Louisiana Purchase occurred in 1803 when the United States acquired approximately 828,000 square miles of territory from France, doubling its size at that time.