Hist 1301 Exam 2 Flashcards
Strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
The articles of confederation didn’t allow for a strong federal military. State militaries were forced to deal with uprising militias on their own. The AoC were designed to let states keep their power but the US couldn’t pay down debts.
Federalists vs. Anti-federalists
Federalists (Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, James Madison) wanted a strong federal government, while the anti-federalists (Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry, James Monroe) were more concerned with higher taxes, a weakening of states rights, worried the president would become too powerful, worried the rich would benefit more than the poor, and concerned about individual liberty. Public argument in the Federalist Papers.
Constitutional Convention (Virginia and New Jersey Plans)
After the Annapolis Convention of 1786 (led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, where only six delegates showed up, not even Virginian), the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was where 55 delegats of the states finally came together to strengthen the Articles of Confederation. James Madison introduces the Virginia Plan - this included three branches of govt. (inspired by the Mass. Convention of 1780), and a lower and upper chamber which were proportionate to the size of the state. This was criticized as it would penalize smaller states, thus undermining states rights protections of the AoC. William Paterson introduces the New Jersey Plan which would strengthen the AoC by allowing the states to levy taxes as well as added a judicial branch beneath the legislature. Alexander Hamilton (anglophile) introduces the British plan which consisted of a lower chamber elected by the people, an upper chamber elected by the lower chamber, and appointed governors. This was criticized as being antithetical to states rights. The Connecticut Compromise introduced by Robert Sherman combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans and added the 3/5th compromise. There was nothing about women’s rights in it. This compromise leads to The Great Compromise.
Shays Rebellion
Shayites wanted the government to print more money, and they wanted a moratorium on debt. Their forces of 2k were up against Mass. States militia of 4k, which demonstrated the weakness of not having a federal militia.
Great Compromise
Essentially Robert Sherman’s Connecticut Compromise. The US Constitution based on Montisquieu’s “Spirit of the Laws”/separation of powers. One chamber with seats allowed proportionate to population and another chamber preserving one vote per state. Native Americans are now considered foreigners. 2/3 of states would have to ratify. RI and N. Carolina would wait to ratify until a Bill of Rights was added.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Banned slavery north of the Ohio River for any new states, although it could be argued under the 1790 Southwest Ordinance that slavery would be allowed for new states - this leads to the Missouri Compromise of 1820: Missouri would be allowed as a slave state and Massachusetts would be split into Maine/Mass. to balance it out. Also the Arkansas dividing line for free/slave states in the future.
Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
Under Washington, Alexander Hamilton was the Sec of Treasury while Thomas Jefferson was the Sec of State. Hamilton encouraged economic greatness and lobbied for a national bank and enforced tariffs (which mostly benefited manufacturing while hurting farmers) and raised taxes on grain (affecting whiskey) and wanted the US to be indebted to other countries. After George Washington left office (with no political party) these two parties emerged. The federalists were lead by Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republicans were lead by Jefferson and Madison.
Alexander Hamilton
First Sec of Treasury, wanted a central bank, Federalist, delegate to the Annapolis convention of 1786, Anglophile, Federalist papers, encouraged economic greatness and lobbied for a national bank. First leader of Federalist party. Raised taxes on grain and wanted the US to be indebted to other countries. Encouraged people to not vote for Aaron Burr (former DR) in NY gubernatorial race and so Burr challenges him to a duel and kills him.
James Madison
Secretary of State under Jefferson, president 1808-1816. Small stature, high-pitched voice. Delegate to Annapolis Convention of 1786, introduced the Virginia Plan at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Federalist in the Federalist Papers, but switched to side with Jefferson and become the first leader of the DR party along with Jefferson, escapes with Declaration of Independence when the White House is burned down during the War of 1812, swayed by Henry Clay to support Tariffs of 1816 and begins to warm to Federalist ideals (DRino?), let the first bank of US expire but was convinced by Henry Clay and John C Caloun to support a 2nd federal bank
Thomas Jefferson
Leader of the Democratic-Republican party when he became the first DR President. Francophile. First sec of state, President 1800-1808, won 92% of popular vote in reelection 1804, against tariffs and grain taxes, for the poor farmer. Jeffersonian Society: removes national debt by keeping Hamiltons tariffs and selling land and cutting military budget in half and firing all federal tax collectors. Believed debt lead to corruption (leverage of foreign power over you). Repealed whiskey taxes of Hamilton, 1807 banned the importation of slaves; architect, president of a philosophy club, UVA architecture designed by Jefferson, very weathly, liked expensive champagne, food, art, imported goods; died in debt and his children had to sell off most of his stuff to get out of debt
Marbury v. Madison
The first SCOTUS case where the court struck down federal law (the Federal Judiciary Act of 1789), 1803. Marbury was appointed to the supreme court by Adams but left office the day before he was supposed to be commissioned so he argues for a writ of mandamus to allow him to still get his court seat, however the court ruled that it would not be constitutional to do so because it does not have jurisdiction.
Louisiana Purchase (circumstances leading up to purchase and results of purchase)
Jefferson’s “Greatest Accomplishment” 1803. Robert Livingston & James Monroe sent to negotiate to gain access to the gulf and France offered to sell the entire Louisiana Territory to the US. At the time Napoleon was emperor of France and after the slave rebellion in Haiti he wanted to focus on expanding his empire in Europe rather than the New World. Treaty of Cession France sells Louisiana territory for $15mil, leads to border disputes with Spain
Quasi-War
Adams sends Pickney to France to negotiate to get France to stop attacking US ships and he is intercepted by French agents and asked for bribes before he could meet with the ambassador. XYZ affair and the Dept. of the Navy is created in response. US begins attacking French ships back without a declaration of war, but it could be argued that the US was acting to preemptively protect US ships from French.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Under Federalist John Adams a law was passed that would allow the state to prosecute people who were speaking out against the US government. This could be taken to apply to the press and people, thus limiting free speech. This act also extended the period to apply for citizenship from five years to fourteen years, which could be said to be to limit the voting immigrants who leaned DR.
Revolution of 1800
“Revolution at the Ballot Box”. Jefferson/Burr vs Adams/Pickney. Jefferson and Burr tie for most votes and so congress has to elect Jefferson because Burr wouldn’t concede. This was the first peaceful transfer of power. Leads to the 12th amendment to handle vice president issues which also created party tickets and established that the HoR will settle if no one gets a majority of votes
Lewis & Clark
Hired by the Jefferson govt. to explore the new Louisiana Territory to see how far the Missouri river extended and if it made it all the way to the west coast. Traveled with Shoshoen woman Sacagawea
Barbary Pirates
Pirates of the north african coast that trolled the Mediterranean sea and charged people for access. Once Jefferson became president he declined to pay them an annual charge for access (because they raised it on him; Yousef Karamulni) and so the pirates took the USS Pennsylvania. Steven Decatur escapes captivity, tries to retake the ship, ends up destroying it and killing a bunch of pirates and loses no men. Conflict ended after William Eaton and Presley O’Banon make it to Egypt, raise an army of Greeks, Berber and Arabs and heads back to defeat the army guarding Derna
19th century entertainment
Bare-knuckle boxing was popular. Typically between English and Irish. Very brutal, often resulted in death. Appealed to the rich and poor alike. Theater/minstrels that consisted of rowdy shows for men that were very interactive (cabaret/prostitution) and the women were expected to stay at home.
Mid-19th century immigration and nativism
Mostly Irish and German, who were predominantly Catholic. Mostly coming over for political/religious reasons. The Irish typically were single and uneducated and stayed near the ports they immigrated to (NY, Penn., Mass.), while the German were typically family units and educated farmers who moved inwards to the “Midwest” to farm. Vast majority of south is US born while most of the immigration goes to the north. Native American Association (nativists) become the Native American Party, become the Supreme Order of the Star-Spangled Banner becomes The American Party in 1852 and in 1854 wins three states. 1856 election has The American Party candidate Millard Fillmore. Known as the “Know nothings” because of secret password. These groups arose to anti-Catholic objections
