The Meaning of Democracy in an Era of Economic and Territorial Expansion (1800-1848) Flashcards
Presidential Election of 1800
Identify:
- Election tactics used
John Adams (Federalist) against Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican). Jefferson seemed to win, but an error in the electoral college resulted in a tie with Aaron Burr. Hamilton pushed the Federalists to vote for Jefferson, as the decision of who was president was thrown to the Federalist House of Representatives.
Jefferson was depicted as someone who would carry out a reign of terror, as in France. They also speculated he had a relationship with a slave woman, which is generally accepted to be true.
Adams was depicted as a would-be king.
Sally Hemings
Slave woman of Jefferson who may have had his child. DNA evidence supports this, but some historians dispute it.
Aaron Burr
Vice-presidential candidate in the election of 1800, who tied with Jefferson due to a mistake in the electoral college voting among the Democratic-Republicans.
Revolution of 1800
Jefferson’s labelling of power transfer from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans. He believed his administration would return the US to its founding roots.
Era of Good Feelings
Identify:
-Cause
1815-1825, where the Democratic-Republicans were the only major party. This occurred after the rapid decline of the Federalist Party after the election of 1800, since agricultural areas grew faster than the commercial centers. They also lost support after opposing the War of 1812, which was popular.
James Monroe
Easily won the election of 1816 due to the heavily weakened Federalist Party. Four years later, his victory was even easier. He resembled the presidents of the 18th century, wearing the fashion of that time. He brought back the practice of bringing men of different ideological beliefs into his cabinet, which Washington did. Some policies, such as “internal improvements”, resembled Federalist playbooks.
Twelfth Amendment
Changed the procedure of the electoral college so that the vote for president was separate from the vote for VP. Previously, each elector cast two votes, but there was no distinction.
Influence of Federalist Party After Collapse
The nation began to adopt manufacturing, like Hamilton had hoped. Henry Clay’s “American System” also kept alive most of Hamilton’s program. Federalist agendas also lived on in the Supreme Court.
Marshall Court
Supreme Court era under the tenure of John Marshall. It issued a series of decisions that extended the power of the federal government over state laws while establishing the primacy of the judiciary in interpreting the meaning of the Constitution.
Marbury v. Madison
Most important decision of the Marshall Court. It established the principle of judicial review.
Before the new Adam’s judges could be commissioned, Jefferson had taken office. Jefferson ordered his secretary of state, James Madison, to not deliver them, so Jefferson could appoint his own judges.
Judicial Act of 1801
Expanded the Judiciary in the last days of the Adams administration. Adams filled these sits, solidifying Federalist power in the Supreme Court.
William Marbury
One of the judges appointed by Adams, but not commissioned by the time Jefferson took office. The Marshall Court ruled that he was not entitled to his seat, because his basis for his argument, the Judiciary Act of 1789, was ruled to be unconstitutional. This established judicial review as the main function of the Supreme Court.
McCulloch v. Maryland
One of the landmark decisions of the Marshall Court that strengthened federal power. It prohibited Maryland from taxing the Second Bank of the US, a federal institution.
Gibbons v. Ogden
One of the landmark decisions of the Marshall Court that strengthened federal power. It invalidated a monopoly on ferry transportation between New York and New Jersey that had been issued by New York. The Court ruled that only the federal government could regulate interstate trade.
Cohens v. Virginia
One of the landmark decisions of the Marshall Court that strengthened federal power. It affirmed the right of the Supreme Court to receive appeals from state courts. It involved the Cohen brothers being prohibited from selling lottery tickets in Virginia. The Court upheld Virginia’s right to forbid the sale of these tickets.
Worcester vs. Georgia
Court held that any dealings with Indigenous nations had to be carried out by the federal government, not the state government. It struck down a statute that forbade non-American Indigenous from entering American Indigenous territory without first obtaining a license from a state. The Court upheld the autonomy of American Indigenous groups, especially the Cherokees.
Louisiana Purchase
French territory that had been ceded to Spain at the end of the French and Indian War, but regained in 1801. It was sold by Napoleon Bonaparte in order to fund the war with Great Britain. The price was set at 15 million.
Thomas Jefferson on the Louisiana Purchase
Initially reluctant, since the constitution did not allow for the acquisition of additional land. However, if he waited for Congress to pass an amendment, Napoleon may have rescinded his offer. Therefore, he violated his principle of strict constructionism and presented the offer to Congress, which assented and appropriated the funds.
Strict Constructionist
The ideal of Jefferson. It asserted that the government’s power was limited to what was explicitly allowed by the Constitution.
Louisiana Territory
Great Plains, Port of New Orleans. This doubled the territory of the US.
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Increased understanding of the region included in the Louisiana purchase. This stablished the presence of the US in the West.
Slavery in the North vs. South
The North had begun to industrialize, eliminating the need for slavery. On the other hand, the south had strengthened the cultivation of cotton, which required a large number of workers. As such, slavery grew in the South.
American System
Series of proposals to promote economical growth following the War of 1812. It proposed high tariffs and chartering the Second Bank of the United States. Both proposals were seen through by the end of the Monroe Administration. He also promoted internal improvements.
Henry Clay
Leading member of the House of Representatives who put forward the American System.
Second Bank of the United States
Part of the American System. Chartered to stabilize the economy and make credit more available.
Reasons for the Isolation of the South
The South became increasingly isolated from the North and the Midwest. Roads and railroads of the American System typically bypassed the South, and migration connected the North and the Midwest. These separated the North and the South culturally, and eventually, politically.
Internal Improvements
Part of Henry Clay’s American System. It created better transportation, but isolated the North from the South.
Missouri Compromise
Arose when Maine applied to the Union as a slave state, which would upset the balance of 11 free and 11 slave states. In the end, a compromise was reached; Missouri would be admitted as a slave state, while Maine would be admitted as a free state. The Compromise also divided the remaining territory of the Louisiana Purchase at the 36 30 line; above the line, slavery was not permitted (except Missouri), while below the line, it was permitted.
Representative John Quincy Adams
Tried to bring up resolutions for anti-slavery. In response, southern politicians successfully pushed forward resolutions that automatically tabled such resolutions, preventing them from being read or debated.
Gag Rules
Resolutions that prevented antislavery resolutions from being read or debated in the House of Representatives.
Congress in the Antebellum Period
The North held more power in the House, since the House was population based. On the other hand, the South held more power in the Senate.
Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli
Controlled trade in the Mediterranean, which became known as the Barbary Coast.
Barbary Coast
Mediterranean coast controlled by 4 nations who demanded large payments from trading nations as tribute. Pirates seized and plundered nations that did not comply. Washington and Adams agreed to their terms, but Jefferson refused after Tripoli increased the tribute.
First Barbary War
1801-1805. Started after Jefferson refused to play the steep increase in tribute to Tripoli. He sent warships to the region to protect American interests, which was a popular move. However, there was no decisive victory. The peace treaty had Tripoli release hostages in exchange for 60K and promised to stop raiding American ships. However, critics viewed the payment as a form of tribute, and in the coming years, Barbary pirates continued to raid American ships.
However, the war did show America’s profile ion the world stage and demonstrated the cohesion of American forces fighting far from home.
Second Barbary War
- Brought the end of America paying tribute to the Barbary states.
Impressment
The practice of the British of seizing ship and forcing the American seamen to serve in the British Navy. 6,000 men were affected by this.
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
1807 incident where the British HMS Leopard fired on the American USS Chesapeake. Three Americans were killed and four were abducted. This highlighted the tensions between the US and Britain.
Peaceful Coercion
Tactic used by Jefferson and Madison in an effort to get Great Britain to stop interfering with American shipping.
Embargo Act
- Passed during the Jefferson administration. It cut off US trade to all foreign ports in at attempt to pressure the belligerent nations to agree to leave US ships alone. However, the main effect was crippling the mercantile sector. It proved to be very unpopular, especially in New England, whose economy depended on trade.
Non-Intercourse Act
- Passed in the waning days of the Jefferson administration, it replaced the Embargo Act. It opened trades with all nations except Great Britain and France. Since Great Britain and France were America’s largest trading partners, this act was still very unpopular.
Macon’s Bill No 2.
Passed in 1810 in an attempt to revive trade. It stipulated that if either Great Britain or France agreed to respect America’s rights as a neutral nation at sea, the US would prohibit trade with said nation’s enemy. Napoleon agreed, so the US cut off trade with Britain. However, Napoleon did not honor the commitment, and France continued to seize American ships. The cutting off of trade with Britain worsened relations and pushed the nations closer to war.
Congress on the War of 1812
Divided on sectional lines. New England and some Middle Atlantic states voted against it, while the South and Midwest voted for it. The vote was passed just as Britain was making assurances that it would stop interfering with American shipping.
Fort Dearborn and Fort Detroit (War of 1812)
Early British victories.
Partisan Divide On the War of 1812.
Opposed by the Federalists. Madison still won his re-election during the midst of the war.
York (War of 1812)
Key American victory in 1813, where York (modern day Toronto) was burnt.
Battle of the Thames
Battle in Canada where the Americans defeated British and American Indigenous groups, killing the Indigenous leader Tecumseh.
Washington DC (War of 1812)
Burnt by the British, with the White House and the Capitol building being burned.
Andrew Jackson at New Orleans
Major victory, but was insignificant in the long run; neither the British nor Jackson had realized that the US had already signed a peace treaty, formally ending the war.
Hartford Convention
Called for several amendments to the Constitution that intended to set limits on both the power of the federal government and the influence of the Democratic-Republicans. It would have required a 2/3 vote in Congress for future declarations, and another would have removed the 3/5th clause.
The convention was held in December 1814 by Federalists who opposed the War of 1812, as they were typically wealthy New England merchants who saw their trade with Great Britain disappear.
Treaty of Ghent
1814 treaty that ended the War of 1812. The British had grown tired of war after fighting Napoleon for more than a decade and the US for 2 years. The US realized it could not achieve a decisive victory. The treaty restored territory to where it was before, as well as recognizing the boundary between the US and Canada to be what it was before the war. The treaty did not mention specific grievances the US had against the British, such as aid to American Indigenous, interference with American shipping, and impressment.
Old China Trade
Identify:
- Cultural differences between the Chinese and the Americans.
Lucrative trade with China following the American Revolution, although it was not officially sanctioned by the US government.
Americans saw trade as a basic right and a means to expand national and personal wealth. On the other hand, the Chinese looked down at commerce. China saw trade as something that existed at the largess of the emperor in return for tribute paid by states that acknowledged the superior trade of China.
Maritime Fur Trade
American Indigenous fur was traded to China, as China had high demand for it.
Treaty of Wanghia
Ended the unofficial Old China Trade. In the treaty, China extended the same trading privileges to the US as it had to Great Britain.
Monroe’s Foreign Policy
Monroe displayed America’s new confidence on the international stage. He was alarmed by the threats of the Holy Alliance of Russia, Prussia, and Austria to restore Spain’s lost American colonies. He also opposed a decree by the Russian Czar that claimed all of the Pacific Northwest above the 51st parallel. Both problems worked themselves out.
Holy Alliance of Russia, Prussia, and Austria
Threatened to restore Spain’s lost American Colonies.
Monroe Doctrine
Aimed to limit European influence in the Western Hemisphere, in response to the Holy Alliance of Russia, Prussia, and Austria and the claims of the Russian Czar. While America could not enforce this, it was an important statement of intent.
Cornerstones of America’s Isolationist Foreign Policy
Monroe Doctrine and Washington’s Farewell Address.
Adams-Onis Treaty
Identify:
- Importance in the slavery issue
US gained Florida in 1819 with this treaty, negotiated by John Quincy Adams, who was secretary of state under Monroe. It accepted Spain’s claims to Texas and settled the boundary between Louisiana (became a state in 1812) and Spanish territory.
Florida had become a concern for the US because it was a common destination for escaped slaves.
Aroostook War
1838-39 dispute between Americans and Canadians over the border between Maine and Canada. No lives were lost, despite it being called a war.
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Roughly split disputed territory to establish a firm boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, and also settled a controversy over the border between Minnesota territory and Canada.
The Caroline Incident
1837 incident where the British burned the American vessel Caroline, which was being used by anti-British Canadian rebels to transfer supplies. In response, New York officials arrested a Canadian sheriff and threatened to execute him for participating in the murder of an American crew member. In the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, this was resolved, with both sides admitting wrongdoing.
Dispute Over Pacific Northwest
Disputed territory between the US and Great Britain. They agreed to a joint occupation of the Oregon Country. Eventually, President James Polk compromised with Britain, establishing a border at the 49th parallel, which remains the current border.
Fifty-Four Forty Or Fight
Rallying call of those who wanted the US to annex Oregon Country in its whole.
Wildcat Banks
Came into existence in the early 1800’s. It issued currency in excess of the value of assets held by the bank. They were known to provide easy access to credit. While the banks put money into circulation and promoted economic expansion, but also created economic instability.
Panic of 1819
Economic crash caused by wildcat banks. After the crash, there was a remarkable growth of the economy.
Corporate Charters
In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, these were granted to groups mainly on a temporary basis and mainly for a public-oriented purpose. However, in the 1830’s and 40’s, states rewrote the charters to allow for the charters of businesses.
Limited Liability
Investors could only lose the amount they had invested, and were not liable for any debts beyond their investments.
Trustees of Dartmouth College v. Woodward
Defined the charter of Dartmouth College had received during the colonial period as a contract. When New Hampshire attempted to rescind the charter and make it a state college, the Court ruled that the original charter was valid and must stand.
Fletcher v. Peck
Upheld a corrupt land deal between the state of Georgia and private individuals. The Court ruled that the deal, in effect a contract, might not have been in public interest, but a contract must be upheld.
John Deere’s Steel Plow
Led to greater efficiency in grain production in 1847.
Cyrus McCormack’s Automatic Reaper
Developed in 1831 which pushed agricultural efficiency.
The Thresher
Increased agricultural efficiency.
Interchangeable Parts of Eli Whitney
Parts of specific items were made to exact specifications and could be rapidly assembled.
The Clermont (Robert Fulton)
First functional steamboat, which rapidly became popular.
Erie Canal
One of the Internal Improvements, completed in 1825. It was a canal that connected the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, connecting NYC to the interior. The cost of moving a ton of freight from Buffalo to NYC dropped by approx. 90%.
The Erie Canal, like many internal improvements, were built by private entities supported by subsidies from federal and state governments.
National Road (Cumberland Road)
Most important road of the Internal Improvements, completed in 1853.
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Laid the first railroad tracks in 1829.
Waltham-Lowell System
Brought all stages of textile production under one roof, with employees living in company housing. It spread to other industries.
King Cotton
58% of American exports were cotton, and 75% of the world’s cotton was exported by the US.
