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Revolution of 1800
The power in the federal gov't completely shifts from the Federalists to the Dem-Reps as Jefferson defeats Adams and his Dem-Rep rival Aaron Burr in the Election of 1800. This ends the "Federalist Era" and provides evidence that the Constitution is working. -
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Universal White Male Suffrage
Over the antebellum period, especially around the Jackson administration (1828-1836), states removed property and tax restrictions to voting. This allowed around 90% of white males to vote but did not expand voting rights for other, "lower" groups. This concept was particularly advanced by Democrats like Jackson and symbolized the rise of democracy under the Jackson administration. Jackson was the first "common man" president and led the tide of democracy, despite being controversial. -
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Jefferson's Presidency
First term: kept the national bank, kept neutral foreign policy, limited the federal gov't, appointed a cabinet of only Dem-Reps, completed the Lousiana Purchase, commissioned Lewis & Clark, and initiated a campaign to impeach Federalist federal judges
Second term: dealt with Burr's antagonism, dealt with foreign problems due to the Napoleonic wars, and signed the disastrous Embargo Act -
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Skirmishes with Barbary Pirates
Refusing to pay tribute to pirates in North Africa, Jefferson defied the piracy policy of Washington and Adams and sent a small U.S. naval fleet to the Mediterranean. While this did not accomplish much, it led to safety for U.S. merchants and garnered respect for the U.S. navy. -
Louisiana Purchase
In 1802, Spanish officials revoked the right of deposit at New Orleans under the Pinckney Treaty. Concerned about the public, the economy, and neutrality, Jefferson sent ministers to France to offer to buy New Orleans and nearby land for $10 million. To finance a war with Britain, France offered the entire Louisiana Territory for $15 million. After U.S. ministers agreed and Jefferson wrestled with the constitutionality, he advocated the purchase as a "treaty." This benefited the Dem-Rep party. -
Marbury v. Madison
SCOTUS established the principle of judicial review, its ability to strike down laws and gov't actions it deems unconstitutional, when faced with a transfer of power case. Adams had appointed William Marbury at the end of his term, but Jefferson became president before the appointment finished. Jefferson tried to block Marbury and Marbury brought it to SCOTUS. In a judicial finesse move, Marshall struck down the Judiciary Act of 1789, rendering SCOTUS unable to rule on the controversial case. -
Aaron Burr's Antagonism
In 1804, a Dem-Rep caucus did not nominate Burr for a second term as VP. Burr then initiated the Federalist Conspiracy, dueled with and killed Alexander Hamilton, and created a plot to take Mexico and possibly Louisiana under his rule (this final plot caused Jefferson to have Burr tried for treason, but Chief Justice John Marshall and a jury acquitted him based on little evidence). -
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Lewis & Clark Expedition
Merriwether Lewis and William Clark were sent into the west. During their journey, they established stronger U.S. claims to Oregon, gained better maps and knowledge of the west, and established better relations with Amerindians. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
Off the coast of VA, the British warship the Leopard fired on the U.S. warship Chesapeake, killing 3 and seizing 4 others. Following this, naval blockades of European ports, British domination of the Atlantic, and seizure and impressment of U.S. seamen, Americans demanded war with Britain. -
Embargo Act
To avoid war following the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, Jefferson created the Embargo Act, prohibiting Americans from sailing to foreign ports. While he expected Britain to relent to avoid losing trade, GB instead turned to trade with Latin America. The disastrous act damaged the U.S. economy so greatly that NE shipbuilders threatened to secede from the Union. This was repealed in 1809. -
End of the Slave Trade
Congress ends the Slave Trade in the U.S. after the twenty-year delay of the decision decided at the Constitutional Convention. -
Election of 1808
Secretary of State James Madison is supported by Thomas Jefferson, who followed the two-term tradition, in the election and defeats Federalist Charles Pinckney and other Dem-Reps. Although Madison was Sec. of State, the Father of the Constitution, a founder of the Dem-Rep party, and viewed as a brilliant thinker, he was stubborn and had weaker public speaking and political skills than Jefferson. -
Nonintercourse Act of 1809
Madison's follow-up to the Embargo Act allowed U.S. trade with all nations but Britain and France. -
Macon's Bill No.2
Congress passed the bill, restoring trade with both Britain and France but promising to end trade with the enemy of whichever nation formally recognized U.S. neutral rights at sea. Napoleon Bonaparte jumped at this opportunity, promising to end French violations. Madison embargoed Britain but soon realized Napoleon would not hold up his end of the promise. Just before the U.S. declared war on Britain, Britain finally agreed to suspend its blockade. However, it was too late. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Gov. William Henry Harrison of Indiana ended the attempts of Shawnee brothers to unite all western Amerindian tribes. Due to slight aid from Britain, settlers blamed the rebellion on the British. -
Election of 1812
Madison defeated Federalist De Witt Clinton (NY) to win reelection, defeating Federalists and anti-war Dem-Reps. Opposition to the War of 1812 consisted of Federalists, NE merchants, and Quids (Dem-Reps who held old party ideals). -
The First Year of the War
A weak U.S. army is easily stopped in its tracks as it attempts a three-pronged invasion of Canada. The U.S. warship Constitution ("Old Ironsides") sinks a British ship, gaining morale. U.S. privateers seize British merchant ships and Britain blockades the Atlantic Seaboard. -
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The War of 1812
The U.S. depended on free trade across the Atlantic, but warring European nations did not care. Young Dem-Reps in the House known as War Hawks, led by Clay and Calhoun, advocated war with Britain, the greatest offender, to defend American honor, gain Canada, and destroy Amerindian resistance. A divided nation with a weak military set out to a war eerily similar to the Revolution. The U.S. realized in 1814 it could not win definitively and Britain was tired, hence the Treaty of Ghent. -
The Second Year of the War
An American raid of York (Toronto) only encourages retaliation. Cap. Oliver Hazard Perry defeats the British on Lake Erie in the most important naval battle of the war. Gen. William Henry Harrison wins the Battle of the Thames, killing Tecumseh. -
The Third Year of the War
Napoleon is defeated and the British direct their attention to N. America. They burn D.C. and fail to take Baltimore only as Fort McHenry survives the night (this is memorialized in Francis Scott Key's "The Star-Spangled Banner"). In March, Gen. Andrew Jackson defeats the British ally the Creek nation, ending Amerindian influence on the war and that land. The following January, Jackson wins the impressive but meaningless Battle of New Orleans (this caused many to feel that America won the war). -
Treaty of Ghent
As Britain realized it was tired of war and Madison decided the U.S. could not win definitively, the two signed the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium. This ended the war and essentially undid all gains/losses by either side. Prewar grievances were not addressed as the war basically ended in a stalemate. -
Hartford Convention
NE Federalists, opposed to the war and fourteen years of Dem-Rep government, urged amendment and threatened secession. Although NE delegates rejected secession, some proposals were made to limit Dem-Rep power. Unfortunately for the already weakened Federalists, they simply appeared unpatriotic as the war ended. -
Effects of the War of 1812
1) Respect for surviving two wars with GB, 2) the U.S. accepted Canada as British, 3) the Federalist party declined, 4) talks of nullification and secession sparked ideas in the South, 5) Amerindians were forced to surrender even more land, 6) the U.S. built its own factories due to the blockade, 7) leaders like Jackson and Harrison emerged, 8) nationalism and westward expansion grew. -
Election of 1816
James Monroe, a revolutionary war veteran, a member of the army that survived the winter at Valley Forge, a prominent leader in Virginia politics, Jefferson's minister to GB, and Madison's secretary of state, overwhelmingly defeated Federalist Rufus King 183 to 34. He was the fourth president from VA. -
Tariff of 1816
The first protective tariff in U.S. history is created to support new American manufacturers. Surprisingly, even anti-tariff regions like the South and West supported this; only New England dissented. -
Henry Clay's American System
This economic system devised by Rep. Henry Clay (KY) called for the following: 1) Protective tariffs to promote manufacturing and raise revenue (Tariff of 1816 already existed), 2) Have a national bank (the Second National Bank already existed) to provide a national currency to keep the American system rolling, and 3) Build internal improvements (Madison and Monroe both argued against this as a constitutional power) with the money raised through the tariffs and regulated by the bank. -
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"Era of Good Feelings"
The time span from the election of 1816 to the Panic of 1819. This period, though used to characterize the Monroe presidency, was rather brief and included nationalism, the final death of the Federalist party, economic debates, the addition of five states, and division in the Dem-Rep party. -
Rush-Bagot Agreement
Major disarmament pact signed between the U.S. and Britain regarding the Great Lakes and the U.S.-Canada border. -
American Colonization Society & Abolition
Founded to move all African Americans to an African colony as a solution to slavery. This failed. During the antebellum period, opinions on slavery varied greatly. Christians moralized it, the South became more defensive, and abolitionists tried a variety of methods to free those enslaved. The radical abolitionist newspaper The Liberator was published, people argued political means to end slavery, the Underground Railroad helped runaway slaves, and some, like Nat Turner, rebelled. -
Treaty of 1818
Treaty between the U.S. and GB that: 1) shared fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland, 2) allowed for joint occupation of the Oregon Territory, and 3) and set the northern limits of the Louisiana Territory. -
The Panic of 1819
Due to the national bank's efforts to control inflation, a depression hit and led to the closing of state banks, unemployment, bankruptcies, and imprisonment for debt. Due to speculation on land during the Era of Good Feelings, this hit the West hardest. As nationalistic beliefs were shaken, westerners began opposing the Bank and imprisonment for debt. -
Florida Purchase (Adams-Onís) Treaty
An overzealous Jackson, overstepping his instructions from Monroe to stop raiders from Florida, invaded Florida, ended Seminole villages, and drove out the Spanish governor. Following this, Spain feared losing Florida in the midst of crises in Latin America. In order to avoid the worst-case scenario, Spain sold Florida to the U.S. for $5 million and the end of U.S. claims to Texas. -
McCulloch v. Maryland
SCOTUS settled the national bank debate when it ruled that MD couldn't tax and national bank because the Supremacy Clause made the Constitution the supreme law of the land; therefore, the federal government's interests trump state interests. Furthermore, it established the national bank as constitutional under the Elastic Clause. -
Election of 1820
Monroe won every electoral vote except one as the Federalist party failed to even nominate a candidate. The lack of opposition signified growing nationalism. -
The Missouri Compromise
Slavery was well-established in Missouri when it applied for statehood, alarming Northerners who feared another slave state would disrupt the 11-11 ratio in the Senate. After the South attacked the Tallmadge Amendment, Clay proposed 3 bills that were a compromise. They would: 1) Admit MO as a slave state, 2) Admit Maine as a free state, and 3) Prohibit slavery in the LA Territory. Monroe signed these, preserving the balance in Congress, cooling the slavery debate, and reintroducing sectionalism. -
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Market Revolution
The early 19th-century change in the fabric of the economy that shook the foundations of every other aspect of American society and culture and coincided with the rise of Jacksonian democracy. It led to a distinctive American culture, a very important and dynamic economy, the development of the West (esp. the NW), a huge population boom (due to natural birth and immigrants), and a factory system, among other things. -
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Internal Improvements
Part of Henry Clay's American System. Allowed faster expansion into the West. Canals and railroads built common markets between the Old NW and the North. Roads were built, but state rights activists blocked most interstates; the two most important were the Lancaster Turnpike and Cumberland Road. The Erie Canal connected the East and West economically. Steam-powered travel followed the 1807 voyage of the Clermont by Robert Fulton. Railroads transformed the West after overcoming safety issues. -
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New Technology
Steam-powered engines allowed factories to be located away from rivers. Telegraphs, beginning with Samuel F.B. Morse in 1844, revolutionized the speed of communication. Eli Whitney designed the cotton gin as well as a manufacturing system of interlocking parts. States changed laws to increase the ability of businesses to raise capital through stocks. Factories, taken from G.B. by Samuel Slater, led to manufacturing and the growth of banking & insurance. Child labor arose alongside unions. -
Gibbons v. Ogden
The Marshall Court rules a NY monopoly that conflicted with a federal charter unconstitutional. Notably, this established Congress' ability to use to Commerce Clause. -
The Monroe Doctrine
Reinstated monarchies and ambitious European powers considered becoming more involved in the Americas. British Foreign Minister George Canning proposed a joint warning to European powers to not intervene in S. America. While Monroe and his advisors approved of this, John Quincy Adams felt that it would restrict American expansion. Siding with Adams, Monroe made a long-lasting statement regarding U.S. policy toward Latin America: it is no longer subject to European colonization or interference. -
Election of 1824
Four candidates sought election following Monroe; Sec. of State John Quincy Adams won after a vote in Congress that Jacksonians deemed corrupt (no one had a majority and Adams won despite losing the popular and electoral votes to Jackson). However, this showed the division in the Dem-Rep party. Some held onto old party beliefs, many adopted Federalist ideals like a large military and a national bank, and some (like Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun) flipped back and forth between opinions. -
50th Anniversary of the Union
The people celebrate the 50th anniversary of the U.S. with great joy. A new generation of leaders slowly replaces the founding generation. -
Election ("Revolution") of 1828
The people were united in support of Andrew Jackson, a "common man" from TN (the "wilderness" at this time) who rose from poverty to heroism and leadership. He won the election 178-83 after a mudslinging, candidate-centered campaign. His election split the Dem-Rep party after 28 years of Dem-Rep leadership (Jefferson to J. Q. Adams) and created the Democratic Party, which hoped to return to Jeffersonian ideals, although Jackson violated this ideology many times during his presidency. -
Second American Party System
Arose between the Democrats and the Whigs around the election of 1828. Democrats mimicked early Dem-Reps and their Jeffersonian principles of limited gov't (Jackson only sometimes adhered to this). Whigs sought the promotion of business, mimicking the Federalists. Also, campaign changes such as popularly elected electors caused candidates to rely on parties to campaign on a large scale, strengthening the parties. Third parties like the Anti-Masonic Part and Workingmen's Party also rose. -
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Nullification Crisis
The North favored tariffs to promote industry, but the South opposed them b/c it made goods more expensive. In response to the Tariff of Abominations of 1828 and Tariff of 1832, VP Calhoun threatened nullification/secession by SC. While Jackson did not support the Tariff b/c he favored state rights, he valued unity more. He enacted the Force Bill, allowing him to force SC to obey the tariffs. Henry Clay's Compromise of 1833, a lower tariff, ended the crisis. -
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Jackson Presidency
Jackson's presidency was highly controversial, as he only sometimes adhered to his Jeffersonian ideology of limited gov't. He was the first "common man" president. He was a strong leader and War of 1812 hero. As president, he vetoed more than the first six presidents combined and relied on his "kitchen cabinet" of advisors more than his real one. His presidency included 1) the Indian Removal Act, 2) the Nullification Crisis, 3) the Peggy Eaton Affair, and 4) vetoing the BUS recharter. -
Indian Removal Act & Trail of Tears
Congress and Jackson forced Amerindians out of the East for a final time. This led to the Trail of Tears in 1838, on which 4,000 Cherokees died. The Trail was caused by Jackson's act, although it occurred under Martin Van Buren. Ironically, Americans were willing to step on others to "spread democracy westward." -
Peggy Eaton Affair
Jackson rushed to protect cabinet wife Peggy Eaton from the malicious gossip of other cabinet wives. Most of the cabinet resigned and VP Calhoun resigned later party b/c of this. Ultimately, this issue revolved around Eaton's outspoken manner and the way she threatened the social dynamics of elite women. Jackson intervened to protect a "common person" and likely b/c it reminded him of his late wife Rachel, who died in 1828 partly due to the stress of libel against her during Jackson's campaign. -
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Formed by Joseph Smith in 1830 based on The Book of Mormon. After Smith was murdered in Illinois, Brigham Young led the church to Salt Lake and named the community New Zion. It faced backlash for allowing polygamy. Around the same time, the Second Great Awakening swept the nation, dividing denominations but reflecting Jacksonian democracy and equality and providing support for reform movements. -
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Campaign Reform
King Caucus and nomination by state legislatures were replaced by nominating conventions. Popular election of electors and third parties were also notable changes. As for the bureaucracy, Jackson institued the Spoils System and rotation in office, giving federal jobs to loyal party members and only allowing officers one term in office. He argued this was more democratic, as no one had more right to be in gov't than anyone else. However, officials were less qualified. -
Nat Turner's Slave Revolt
A VA slave, Nat Turner, organized an attack in 1831. Militia killed him, his followers, and many innocent African Americans. After this, the South shut down antislavery talks and fought anything encouraging slave revolts, including education for slaves. The South tightened its slave codes as the Revolt gave hope and drew attention and criticism from the North. -
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Jackson's Unregulated Banking
In 1832, Clay and BUS manager Nicholas Biddle supported rechartering the BUS, but Jackson vetoed the recharter, asserting the BUS was unconstitutional and elitist. In 1833, Jackson ordered all federal funds into "pet" banks in the states. Banking continued unregulated for 80 years, ending in 1913. It contributed to many economic depressions, including the Panic of 1837 (which titled President Van Buren "Martin Van Ruin") and the Great Depression. -
Election of 1836
Following the two-term tradition, Jackson supported his loyal VP Martin Van Buren for president. Whigs tried to force the decision into the House (as was the issue in the Election of 1824) by nominating three candidates but failed; Van Buren won. However, he was a rather insignificant president. It was characterized by the Panic of 1837, in which banks closed and Whigs attacked Jackson for his veto of the BUS recharter and Democrats for their laissez-faire economic policy. -
"Log Cabin and Hard Cider" Campaign of 1840
Whigs used name-calling ("Martin Van Ruin"), log cabins on wheels, and gifts of hard cider, buttons, and hats to promote popular war hero William Henry ("Tippecanoe") Harrison. He won, establishing Whigs as a national party. However, he died in less than a month. His VP John Tyler assumed the president as ("His Accidency"). He was less loyal to the Whigs; he vetoed Whig legislation and favored southern and expansionist Democrats. -
Washingtonians & Temperance
In the antebellum period, temperance was the most popular of many social reforms, including but not limited to prison reform, education reform, the cult of domesticity and the role of women, communal living, and abolition. The American Temperance Society, the Washingtonians (recovering alcoholics arguing alcoholism is a disease), and the Women's Christian Temperance Union (1870s) fought alcoholism over the 19th century. This led to the 18th Amendment (1919), prohibiting alcohol. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Leading feminists gathered and issued the "Declaration of Sentiments," modelled after the Declaration of Independence. Later, Stanton and Susan B. Anthony fought for legal rights but were overshadowed by the slavery debate/crisis. They resented being forced into the background of reform efforts against slavery. Sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke were leaders in the fight against slavery.