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Cotton Gin
The Cotton Gin was a major influence in southern society at the time. It was invented by Eli Whitney to separate the cotton from its seeds in a more efficient way. This led to a greater importance of slavery in southern society and shaped it in a major way. -
The Romantic Movement
The Romantic Movement was a shift in thought from the rigid industrial structures and the science based enlightenment movement of the time to the emphasis on nature, beauty, and imagination of the romantic period. The major players at the time were Lord Byron, William Wordsworth, and Percy Shelley, renowned poets. -
Lewis and Clark’s Expedition
The expedition that Lewis and Clark set out on was sponsored by Thomas Jefferson to map unknown territory in the American West. They were guided by a native woman, Sacajawea, and mapped much of the west, in addition to interacting with newfound native populations. -
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase was a large acquisition of territory during the Jefferson Administration from France. This nearly doubled the size of the United States for fifteen million dollars, or eighteen dollars per square mile. -
Antebellum Period
The Antebellum Period is considered the time between the War of 1812 and the Civil War. It was marked by the growth of both the North and South in different industries. -
Era of Good Feelings
The Era of Good Feelings was a period in political history after the war of 1812. It was marked by general sentiments of national purpose and unity amongst the public. -
2nd Great Awakening
The 2nd Great Awakening was a Protestant revival movement during this time. It prompted many moral and societal reforms. Many people were attracted to the sect as they were more accepting at the time than other sects. -
Spoils System
The spoils system is a system in which once a party has won an election, they give public office to their friends, family, and supporters. In this way, the education, experience, and merit of an official are compromised. It was used heavily in Jackson’s presidency. -
Revolution of 1828
The Election of 1828 was also called the Revolution of 1828 as Andrew Jackson was appointed president controversially. He was a unique candidate as he was not from the high classes of the previous presidents, nor was he from Massachusetts or Virginia. He was a common man who represented the common people. He initiated the spoils system and was very lethal to the Native population. -
Public School Movement
Horace Mann, a public leader in Massachusetts, led the common school movement which pushed for property taxes funding public education. He also established the grade system with ages as a way to distinguish the groups in a one room schoolhouse. -
2nd Bank of the United States
The 2nd Bank of the US was a major government subsidized bank that was a second version of the bank established by Alexander Hamilton during the birth of the nation. Jefferson was against this as he thought it was an overreach of the governments power and thus didn’t renew the charter. This caused a major economic depression in the United States. -
Specie Circular
The Specie Circular was an executive order by Andrew Jackson which required payment for government land to be in gold and silver instead of paper dollars. It was a major factor in the Panic of 1837. -
Asylum Movement
The Asylum Movement worked towards changing the attitudes towards the mentally ill and pushed treatment and rehabilitation instead of arbitrary punishment. The main proponent of this movement was Dorothea Dix. -
Shakers
The Shakers were a Protestant sect that established in the United States at this time. The believed in the communal holding of property and opposed marriage. -
Women’s Rights Movement
The Women’s Rights Movement was a large effort by American and British movements to gain equal rights and voting rights. Major players in the movement were Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. -
The North Star
The North Star was an abolitionist newspaper established by Fredrick Douglass in Rochester New York. It became a way for slaves to escape their situation and head north, acting as a guide along the way. -
Panic of 1837
The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis that set off a major economic depression leading into the 1840s. It was a result of President Jackson’s refusal to renew the Second Bank of the United States and establishing the Specie Circular by executive order. -
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was a major meeting of influential suffragettes that became a symbol of the movement for many years to come. Many women spoke on the topic of women’s sufferage and influenced other to join their cause. The event was established by two leading ladies, Elizabeth Candy Stanton and Lucretia Mott. -
Oneida Community
The Oneida Community was a religious utopian community in Oneida, New York established by John Humphrey Noyes. They practiced polygamy and established rules of communal property and the communal raising of children. -
Industrialization
Industrialization was a development in technology and a growth in manufacturing goods that led to advancements in many sectors of American society and life. Americans started moving away from the agrarian society it was previously to a more urban society.
