Unit 4: Jackson and the Age of Reform Flashcards
“Corrupt bargain”
1824 election saw no candidates get a majority. came down to Jackson vs. Adams
Henry Clay secured the presidency for Quincy Adams in exchange for getting support for its nationalist policies. denounced as a “corrupt bargain”, clay + quincy rep «<
Spoils System
Jackson’s purging of the cabinet gave rise to SS: filling USFG jobs with people loyal to the president’s party. this happened especially in Jackson’s pet banks - led to «_space;public opinion on gov workers
Maysville Road Veto
1830 veto of Clay + Calhoun bill authorizing USFG budget going to the construction of a Maysville-Lexington road
Jackson vetoed because it was local, not interstate, so not Congress’s problem
Indian Removal Act
1830 Jackson proposal to ignore previous treaties and move natives to reservations west of the Mississippi River (with promise of USFG support)
sacrificed native societies for new land acquisition - north opposed, south supported
Trail of Tears
1830-50 800 mile journey where Cherokees were evicted and moved west under cruel military guard (settlers later sold their land)
started with van Buren BUT sparked by the Indian Removal Act
Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia
1831 case = cherokees fought to remain in their land and retain their rights to use it
lost on a technicality, as Marshall said they were a “domestic-dependent” nation not a “foreign” nation
Worcester vs. Georgia
1832 case that involved Christian white missionaries living with the Cherokee on their land - Georgia state law forbade interactions between them
Cherokee people argued law had no weight because their nation = distinct political community with legal protection under treaties
SCOTUS agreed but Jackson refused to enforce, leading to the sale of Cherokee land
Jackson’s Bank Veto
the 2nd BUS was a private corporation with public responsibilities whose primary benefit was regulating state banks
Jackson hated this regulation, so when called upon to renew the charter before 1836, he refused even though it could’ve cost him the election
this put the future of the BUS in jeopardy (eventually leading to its shutdown in 1841)
Pet Banks
23 mostly western state banks run by Jackson’s allies
Jackson moved BUS funds to them shortly after his reelection, which angered Calhoun and Clay, leading them to establish the Whig Platform
Distribution Act
the 1836 act of distributing federal land sale revenue to state banks who would use the funds for internal improvements
Specie Circular
1836 Jackson action of only letting specie (coins) pay the USFG for land speculation
most transactions occurred in western states, so they got mad
the policy, along with the Distribution Act, led to a reduced supply of gold and silver, which triggered the Panic of 1837
Panic of 1837
a 7 year long economic depression under president van buren (though jackson triggered w/ bank veto, van got the blame)
a lower supply of currency (specie) led to banks (in states and in England) withdrawing loans, which reduced USFG spending
the absence of the BUS made things so much worse, as unregulated paper money distribution made it all worthless
Independent Treasury Act
1840 van Buren act whereby USFG moved funds from pet banks to US treasury
also said the USFG would only do business in specie (gold+silver coins)
state banks opposed, so repealed a year later - the economic distress it caused ensured Whig victory in the Election of 1840
Nullification Crisis
when SC nullified the Tariff of Abominations and Tariff of 1832 and threatened secession, Jackson saw it as begging for civil war - led to the Force Bill
Tariff of Abominations
1828 import tax on British cloth among other things
benefitted new england textiles but south got mad (led to reduced GB demand for southern cotton and increased GB product prices)
led to Calhoun’s SC Exposition
Calhoun’s South Carolina Exposition
1828 pamphlet that argued under circumstances with sectional bias, states could nullify (veto) unconstitutional USFG laws
led to appeasing Tariff of 1832 which did nothing b/c still had a tax on GB cloth
WEBSTER vs. Hayne Debate
US Constitution = people, NOT states, so state nullification undermines the Constitution
states’ independent actions act as secession from the Union
WON - gave the better speech - represented national authority
Webster vs. HAYNE Debate
Union = the states, so states should be able to nullify
independent states are more important than the preservation of the Union
LOST - his speech was worse - represented states’ rights
Force Bill
1833 authorization of presidential use of the army to compel states to comply with federal law
angered calhoun (“states’ rights”) but necessary as symbol of the Union’s priority
was signed alongside a long-term plan (compromise) to reduce tariffs which nixed tariff nullification efforts
Whig Platform (1840)
diverse BUT united around their hatred of Jackson (“king”)
called themselves Whigs b/c referenced the anti-monarchy Patriots in the American Revolution (Jackson referred to them as Federalists)
economic nationalists - pro manufacturing, BUS, and national road network
2nd party system = Whigs working class vs. Democrats upper class
“Log Cabin and Hard Cider”
a slogan used by the Whigs to boost their candidate and denounce Democrats
referred to Harrison (candidate) as a simple non-aristocrat unlike the rich van Buren
with their platform and slogans, the Whigs won the Election of 1840 easily in the biggest voter turnout ever seen so far
“Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”
a slogan used by the Whigs in lieu of actual political stances
Tippecanoe referred to a battle Harrison (candidate) won, and Tyler referred to his vice president
Jacksonian Democracy and the “common man”
“universal suffrage” = voting rights for the white man
Jackson vowed to rule by the people but had little concern for those not given rights (minorities)
critics viewed his ideals as rowdy, uncivilized, and vulgar
Market Revolution
post war of 1812 quick expansion of econ + territory led to Market Revolution + development of a market economy
characterized by increased commercial agriculture, emergence of a factory system, and increased tariffs (which promoted industrialization to the detriment of the consumer)
Market Economy
performing activities / producing things for sale rather than consumption
fueled by slave and immigrant labor
internal improvements key for trade flow and western expansion BUT big debate over who should fund it (USFG? states? private companies?)
Roads during the Market Revolution
squo travel by stagecoach was slow and expensive…
market rev led to bigger wagons, better roads (paving them, adding “turnpikes”/tollgates), and new interstate roads (National Road, from atlantic coast west to IL, was funded by USFG)
made travel faster, less expensive, and more accessible
Steamboats during the Market Revolution
the market rev brought wood-fired steamboats to town, which were cheap and enabled 2-way river transport (ohio river, MS river, etc.)
they were cramped, dirty, and dangerous to ride on/operate
Canals during the Market Revolution
artificially connected regional trade at the cost of other regional economies
ex: erie canal connected Midwestern and neng trade while excluding the Deep South
led to higher land value, faster + cheaper transportation, and greater urban development
eventually usurped by railroads in the 1830s
Railroads during the Market Revolution
canals overshadowed by rail due to its greater cost-effectiveness
after first steam-powered rail in England emerged in 1825, American rail exploded (30k miles!)
rail had greater carrying capacity, reliability, and encouraged western settlement + ag/indus econ
BUT made lots of noise and was rife with political corruption (tycoons bribed legislators)
Telegraph (new tech)
electron communications system that could transmit messages instantly across big distances - created by Samuel Morse
enabled reliable and speedy communications
Cotton Gin (new tech)
squo cotton cloth was expensive and laborious to make b/c ginning (separating fiber from cotton seeds)
“cotton gin” = Eli Whitney’s mechanized separation engine
led to big cotton profits from cheap production, which led to cotton becoming America’s largest export (fueled slave labor use and monetary value of slaves)
Steel Plow (new tech)
replaced the wood plow, easing the pain of tilling soil (especially in western markets and places with tough grass like the Great Plains)
John Deere’s invention led to greater agricultural productivity
Mechanical Reaper (new tech)
Cyrus McCormick invented the mechanical reaper to harvest wheat quicker
transformed the scale of commercial agriculture growth (farmers could have big fields and harvest it all with ease and efficiency)
Lowell System
model neng factory communities designed to increase efficiency and profits that provided employees (mostly young women, who were more amenable to the conditions) w/ cramped room and board
boosted profits at cost of lowering wages + increasing pace of work, which led to strike in 1834 (but workers were replaced over time by the Irish)
IRISH vs. German (Old Immigrants)
agricultural crisis (Irish Potato Famine) led them to immigrate
settled primarily in urban areas (especially in NYC, Boston, and Philly)
took on hard/dangerous jobs BUT treated poorly BUT treated others aggressively (free Blacks)
mostly Catholic (religious persecution) and loyal to Democratic Party
Irish vs. GERMAN (Old Immigrants)
some were refugees from failed Revolution of 1848, but most were skilled craftsmen/educated professionals immigrating for jobs
settled primarily in rural areas (stuck together like a clan)
established themselves immediately BUT tended to return to homeland after their stay
mostly Protestant, no defined party (varying politics)
Nativism / “Know Nothing Party”
nativists were reactionary anti-immigration conservatives
came to form the “Know Nothing Party” (due to their secrecy - catchphrase was “ik nothing”), which looked to be a threat BUT never became strong enough to enact legislation – slavery as an issue usurped immigration in the 1850s
Slavery and religion
1700s Baptists and methodists condemned slavery BUT by 1830s, opposition disappeared (“will of God”)
slaves inspired by Bible - got hope of gaining freedom + salvation, sung songs while toiling in the fields
BUT African syncretistic religion also practiced in secret - condemned by their masters because they thought Christian slaves were more obedient
Deism
the belief in a rational creator of the universe (God) who made all people as equals
Deists were pro free speech, science, and reason - anti blind faith and forceful conversion
part of Enlightenment rationalist movement - spurred off Unitarianism and Universalism (which both said people were inherently good)
2nd Great Awakening
the 1st Great Awakening promoted > intense + personal relationship with God - the 2nd (1800) led to an explosion in participation in evangelical religions (Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians)
2 different centers: elite neng schools (westward spread), rural kentucky + tennessee backcountry (everywhere else rural spread)
frontier revivals: traveling evangelicals bringing frontier churches around western territory via camp meetings
2nd GA Impact on Black Americans
the 2nd Great Awakening broke down barriers in religion, attracting Black Americans to anti-slavery churches
some (ex, Methodists) even actively tried to recruit Black people
2nd GA Impact on Women
camp meetings during the 2nd GA offered community to lonely women
they found organizational roles and felt fulfilled b/c no male-dominated church (> emphasis on individual experiences)
led to greater confidence and enthusiasm for women to pursue equal rights
2nd GA - Burned-Over District
referred to western NY’s revival fever (burned = fiery evangelicals)
area around Erie Canal ~ Las Vegas, ripe for religious revolution (austere lifestyle)
Mormons
caused by the 2nd Great Awakening (ushered in opportunities for new religious movements)
Joseph Smith founded - wrote Book of Mormon after revelatory dream, attracted mostly neng farmers who migrated to west NY
they fled religious persecution to “Nauvoo”, IL - when Brigham Young came to power, he led them further to the Salt Lake area
they believed in salvation for all, the absence of hell, and the 2nd coming - split on polygamy though
Transcendentalism
the philosophy of a small group of new england writers that emphasized spiritual introspection and inherent goodness of people and nature
response to Unitarianism (rejected cold establishments)
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Transcendentalism leader and son of Unitarian preacher
rejected conventional religion + Deism (thought it stifled free thinking)
“Nature” (1836) book launched the movement
self-reliant individualism reinforced Jacksonian democratic ideals
Henry David Thoreau
social rebel, environmentalist, abolitionist, and friend of Emerson who irritated many
“Civil Disobedience” (1849) essay influenced MLK’s civil rights movement
promoted individual action vs. injustice
Temperance
a prolific Christian reform movement focused on reducing alcohol consumption - believed it fueled social problems
American Temperance Union
formed in 1833 Philadelphia national convention
some extremists said “no alcohol!”, moderates objected
Dorothea Dix
Boston schoolteacher turned activist who, upon investigating the living conditions of the mentally ill, led social reform to expand public awareness + empathy for them (also did prison reforms)
Cult of Domesticity
a powerful ideology that called for women to take charge of the home
saw the woman’s role to be the manager of the household and nurturer of children
Seneca Falls Convention
July 1848 convention of women and men to discuss women’s rights
issued Declaration of Sentiments, which proclaimed women = men, women’s suffrage, and the striking down of misogynistic laws
only ⅓ of the convention signed Dec of Sent (too radical), but was important 1st step in women’s rights movement
Horace Mann and 1800s Schools
leader of public school movement - promoted universal education to improve economic / gender inequality (women as teachers)
by 1840s, North + Midwest had lots of public schools (though in poor conditions)
South had huge educational gap in comparison - population was mostly illiterate, public schools established later, school year only 4 months long because of farmwork demand
Utopian Societies + perfectionism
belief in the ability to create a perfect life and community on Earth
Shakers
caused by Protestant Reformations (founded in 1747)
Ann Lee founded in Manchester, England (had a divine epiphany and was later compelled to create a Shaker Church in Albany, NY)
originally a part of the Quaker religion, but, influenced by French-Protestant (Camisard) preaching, split from mainstream Quakerism
they believed in confession, celibacy, and Utopian Society
they also believed in gender/racial equality, communal living, adopting children (rather than procreation), and a humble lifestyle
Oneida Community
caused by Christian perfectionism (2nd GA - Charles Finney led the charge)
John Humphrey Noyes founded in Vermont - had an epiphany, declared himself “free of sin” due to surrendering his will to God
built communal homes in Oneida NY
they believed in complex marriage (free, consensual sexual relations with everyone) and Utopian Society
they participated in stirpiculture (positive eugenics) and elevated the status of women (they held leadership roles and had greater freedom)
Brook Farm
caused by the Transcendentalism movement. established in 1841 - fell apart after an uninsured building burned down, financially devastating them
George Ripley founded in West Roxbury (close to Boston), MA
he left Unitarian church + established Brook Farm (as joint stock company) with his wife and others
the community believed in: transcendentalism, Utopian Society (follow-on), and the spiritual benefits of manual labor
they participated in voluntary labor, paid educational institutions, and (later) Fourierism (utopian socialism) - led to «_space;happiness due to»_space; organiz complexity
Gabriel Prosser
VA blacksmith who hatched mass revolt (overthrowing elite Richmond white gov)
planned to include poor whites but one of them betrayed – “Gabriel’s Army” was hanged
Denmark Vesey
Caribbean former slave who bought is freedom in SC through lottery
planned massive armed revolt vs. gov
one of the slaves betrayed to master, Vessey + allies were tried/executed
Nat Turner
1831 revolt in mostly black Southampton County, VA
Turner (preacher) said divine sign to rebel – broke into slave owning homes and killed families
white troops crushed the rebels but mov. scared white population (feared»_space; revolts like Haiti) – led to USFG + state crackdowns on slave freedoms and runaways
Old South Demographics
Biracial → whites (poor and rich unified to maintain unfair system of superiority) and blacks (slaves).
Almost all native born - few opportunities for immigrants b/c slave labor = dominant
Old South Economy/Agriculture
Southern cotton production»_space; due to cotton gin (mkt econ). producers moved west of appalachia to replace overcultivated squo land – resulted in higher cotton demand (became biggest US export crop), resulting in more slave demand.
regional identity centered agriculture and slavery as pt of Southern lifestyle (though most didn’t own slaves)
transport ntwks didn’t link to the south as much as the north/MW linked to each other
American Colonization Society
1st organized emancipation movement that raised funds to send free Blacks “back” to Africa
supporters = abolitionists, people who wanted Black people out of the country
denounced by leaders of free Black communities (“we deserve US citizenship and citizens’ rights”)
William Lloyd Garrison
white MA activists who launched the anti slavery newspaper The Liberator
outraged Southern slaveholders (repeatedly and violently attacked him, he was staunchly pacifist)
later, WLG helped to form AASS
David Walker’s Appeal to the Colored Citizens
1829 pamphlet written by Boston storeowner and WLG follower
called Christian slaveowners hypocrites and urged slaves to rise up like Haitian revolt: with force
secretly distributed BUT eventually banned by Mississippi state gov
American Antislavery Society
thought Constitution was pro-slavery. championed immediate abolition and widely distributed anti-slavery material in South
some fought for women’s rights (previously unrecognized in AASS squo, but Grimke sisters helped achieve equal participation)
Frederick Douglass
escaped slave and renowned orator who published narrative books + abolitionist newspaper North Star
Sojourner Truth
freed slave who traveled to speak convincingly about intersections between abolition and feminism movements
Underground Railroad
organized system of safe houses + shelters that runaway slaves used between 1810-1850 to go North
South responded with slave catchers, North responded with vigilance committees
Harriet Tubman = escaped slave who bravely guided slaves to freedom using URR
Paternalism
justification for slavery: slaves provide labor in return for protection and care of master
