U.S. History: Early Republic, Expansion, and Industrialization

Whiskey Rebellion

Protest of 1794 against a tax on liquor; Washington’s decisive response showed the federal government’s authority.

Alien and Sedition Acts

of 1798, laws limiting free speech and allowing deportation of foreigners, hurt Adams and the Federalist Party.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd U.S. President, oversaw the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis & Clark Expedition; championed states’ rights.

John Adams

2nd U.S. President, avoided war with France after the XYZ Affair; he passed the Alien & Sedition Acts.

The Election of 1800 and the Two-Party System

1800 election which Jefferson defeated Adams after a tie with Burr, establishing peaceful power transfer.

Federalists

Supported a strong central government, loose interpretation of Constitution, industrial economy; led by Hamilton.

Democratic-Republicans

Favored states’ rights, strict interpretation, agrarian society; led by Jefferson and Madison.

Manufacturing vs. Agrarian Visions

Debate between Jefferson’s agrarian republic and Hamilton’s industrial vision for America’s future.

Yeoman Farmers

Independent small farmers owning and working their own land; symbol of Jeffersonian democracy.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 land purchase from France doubling U.S. size; $15 million deal under Jefferson.

Lewis and Clark

1804â€"1806 expedition to explore Louisiana Territory, led by Lewis and Clark under Jefferson’s orders.

Sacagawea

Native guide and interpreter for Lewis and Clark; her knowledge crucial for expedition success.

Impressment

British naval practice of forcing American sailors into service; key cause of War of 1812.

Embargo Act of 1807

Jefferson’s 1807 law banning exports to maintain neutrality; hurt U.S. economy, repealed in 1809.

Non-Intercourse Act of 1808

The term "Non-Intercourse Act" most commonly refers to the 1809 law that lifted the total trade embargo on other nations but maintained restrictions on commerce with Great Britain and France

Tecumseh’s War

Conflict led by Shawnee leader Tecumseh to resist U.S. expansion; precursor to War of 1812.

War of 1812

War with Britain over trade and impressment; ended in stalemate but boosted U.S. nationalism.

Hartford Convention

1814 meeting of New England Federalists opposing War of 1812; seen as traitorous, ended party influence.

War Hawks

Southern and Western congressmen pushing for war with Britain; included Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.

Treaty of Ghent

1814 treaty ending War of 1812; restored prewar borders, resolved no major issues.

Era of Good Feelings

1817â€"1825 period under Monroe of national unity and one-party rule; masked sectional tensions.

Battle of New Orleans

1815 final battle of War of 1812; Jackson’s victory made him a national hero.

Andrew Jackson

7th President; known for Indian Removal Act, Bank War, and expansion of presidential power.

First Seminole War

Conflict between U.S. and Seminoles in Spanish Florida; led to U.S. acquisition of Florida.

John Quincy Adams

6th President; helped craft Monroe Doctrine; served in Congress after presidency.

Monroe Doctrine

1823 doctrine warning Europe against colonizing the Americas; enforced mainly by Britain.

Election of 1824/Corrupt Bargain

1824 election where Adams allegedly made a 'corrupt bargain' with Clay to defeat Jackson.

Indian Removal Act

1830 act allowing removal of Native tribes west of Mississippi; led to Trail of Tears.

Worcester v. Georgia

1832 case invalidating Georgia laws on Cherokee land; ignored by Jackson.

Trail of Tears

Forced relocation of Cherokee; about 4,000 died on journey to Indian Territory.

Five Civilized Tribes

Cherokee, Choctaw, Chickasaw, Creek, Seminole tribes; assimilated but still forcibly removed.

American System

Henry Clay’s plan: tariffs, national bank, internal improvements to strengthen U.S. economy.

Second Bank of the United States

1816â€"1836 national bank stabilizing economy; opposed by Jackson, leading to Bank War.

Missouri Compromise

1820 compromise admitting Missouri (slave) and Maine (free); banned slavery north of 36°30'.

Henry Clay

Senator known for Missouri Compromise and promoting national unity.

John C. Calhoun

War Hawk and defender of states’ rights; supported War of 1812 and slavery.

Tariff of Abominations

1828 tariff raising import taxes; angered South, led to Nullification Crisis.

Nullification Crisis

Southern states argued they could void federal laws; led to threat of secession.

Force Bill

1833 act allowing Jackson to use military force to enforce tariffs in South Carolina.

Lowell Mills

Textile factories in Massachusetts employing women; symbolized early industrial labor.

Impact of the Cotton Gin

1793 invention by Eli Whitney that expanded cotton production and entrenched slavery.

Steamboats

Steam-powered boats revolutionizing river transport; enabled upstream travel.

Railroads

Major driver of westward expansion and national markets in 19th century.

Canals

Artificial waterways improving trade, transport, and irrigation in early America.

Telegraph

Morse’s invention transmitting messages via electric signals; revolutionized communication.

Market Revolution (definition)

Economic transformation in early 1800s shifting from agrarian to industrial economy.

Market Revolution (changes in labor)

Rise of wage labor and factories; decline of skilled artisans; new working and middle classes.

Market Revolution (impact on economy)

Linked regional economies; increased inequality and class divisions.

Market Revolution (impact on Second Great Awakening)

Encouraged revivalist religion emphasizing individual salvation amid rapid social change.

Great Irish Famine

1840s famine causing mass Irish deaths and migration to U.S.

Anti-Catholic Prejudice

Anti-immigrant sentiment targeting Catholics, especially Irish; fueled by nativism.

Cult of Domesticity

19th-century ideal confining women to domestic roles as moral guardians of home.

Rhode Island System

Factory system started by Samuel Slater using family labor in Rhode Island mills.

Labor Organizing/Protests

Workers organized for better pay and rights; early roots of labor movement.

Second Party System

1828â€"1854 era of Democrats vs. Whigs; marked by high voter turnout and party loyalty.

Jacksonian Democrats

Party of Jackson favoring states’' rights and limited federal power.

Whigs

Opposed Jackson; favored American System and stronger Congress.

Expanded Voting Rights

Removed property requirements for white male voters; excluded women and Black men.

Spoils System

Practice of giving government jobs to political supporters; used by Jackson.

Bank War

Jackson opposed rechartering national bank, shifting funds to 'pet banks.'

Hudson River School

Art movement celebrating American landscapes and nature’s spiritual beauty.