Jackson & Reform - Key Terms

Election of 1828

Andrew Jackson wins against John Quincy Adams, presenting himself as the representative of the common man and reversing conservative trends.

Jacksonian Democracy

Political philosophy advocating for the common man, opposed to federal government spending and the national debt.

Kitchen Cabinet

A group of Andrew Jackson's closest informal advisors who were more influential than his official cabinet.

Spoils System

Practice of giving government jobs to political supporters rather than based on qualifications, popularized by Jackson.

King Caucus

System where presidential candidates were chosen by political party leaders in Congress, limiting influence of the common man.

National Republicans

Political group opposing Jackson, supporting John Quincy Adams, favoring a stronger federal government.

Worcester vs. Georgia

Supreme Court case ruling that Georgia laws had no impact on Cherokee territory, which President Jackson ignored.

Trail of Tears

Forced removal of 15,000 Cherokees from Georgia leading to thousands of deaths due to harsh conditions.

Indian Resistance – Red Hawk, Seminoles

Opposition to Indian Removal Act, resulting in conflicts like the Seminole Wars.

Maysville Road Bill Veto

Jackson rejected proposed transportation infrastructure, fearing it would expand federal power and national debt.

Nullification – John C. Calhoun

Belief that states could void federal laws perceived as harmful, prominent in the South during the Nullification Crisis.

Force Bill

Legislation allowing the President to use military force to enforce federal tariffs during the Nullification Crisis.

Foote Resolution

Call to end land sales supported by New England manufacturers, opposed by Jacksonian Democrats.

Webster-Hayne Debate

Debate over nullification between Robert Hayne advocating for it and Daniel Webster opposing.

Peggy Eaton Affair

Social conflict in Jackson's cabinet over acceptance of Peggy Eaton, leading to the resignation of several cabinet members.

Tariff of 1832

Increased taxes on imports, contributing to tensions leading to the Nullification Crisis.

Democrats vs. Whigs

Democrats led by Jackson favored common man and individual liberties, while Whigs supported federal power and economic development.

Nicholas Biddle

President of the Bank of the United States who opposed Jackson during the Bank War.

Jackson’s Bank Veto

Jackson declared the federal bank unconstitutional, contributing to the Panic of 1837.

Independent Treasury Plan

System separating federal finances from national banks, implemented to mitigate the impact of the Panic of 1837.

Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America

Exploration of American democracy, highlighting society's unique equality and 'individualism'.

Unitarianism – William Channing

Religious sect rejecting the Holy Trinity, advocating social reform and religious unity.

Charles G. Finney, the burned-over district

Revivalist preacher known for his impactful religious revivals during the Second Great Awakening.

William Miller

Religious leader associated with Millerism, predicting the imminent return of Christ.

Horace Mann

Education reformer advocating for free public education in America.

Oberlin College

Progressive college known for its abolitionist stance and coeducational approach during the antebellum era.

American Colonization Society

Organization promoting the relocation of free blacks and former slaves to Africa.

William Lloyd Garrison – The Liberator

Abolitionist newspaper advocating for the immediate emancipation of slaves.

Horace Greely

Newspaper editor and social reform advocate known for his strong antislavery stance.

Theodore Dwight Weld

Abolitionist writer whose work influenced the abolitionist movement, especially 'American Slavery as It Is'.

Frederick Douglass

Former enslaved individual and influential abolitionist known for his powerful rhetoric and writings.

Cult of True Womanhood

Cultural belief system defining women's roles as centered on piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity.

Underground Railroad

A secret network aiding enslaved people escaping to freedom, notably involving figures like Harriet Tubman.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion

A violent slave uprising that led to heightened fears among slave owners and stricter slave laws.

South defense of slavery

Arguments justifying slavery as economically necessary and beneficial for African Americans.

Seneca Falls Convention

First women's rights convention, producing the Declaration of Sentiments advocating for women's equality.

Susan B. Anthony

Activist for women's suffrage and co-founder of the National Woman Suffrage Association.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Key figure in the women's rights movement, known for the Declaration of Sentiments.

Lucretia Mott

Quaker activist advocating for women's rights and abolition, co-organizer of the Seneca Falls Convention.

Sojourner Truth

Former enslaved woman known for her advocacy for abolition and women's rights, famous for her 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech.

Harriet Tubman

Leader in the Underground Railroad, instrumental in securing freedom for numerous enslaved individuals.

Temperance Movement, Maine Law

Advocacy for alcohol abstinence rooted in Protestant values; the Maine Law banned alcoholic sales.

Grimke Sisters

Prominent activists for women's rights and abolition who challenged traditional gender roles.

Dorothea Dix

Social reformer advocating for mental health care and challenging 19th-century views on mental illness.

Auburn System

Penal method emphasizing rehabilitation through labor, primarily used in Auburn Prison.

Transcendentalism

Philosophical movement emphasizing individuality, intuition, and a connection to nature.

Writers – Irving, Cooper, Melville, Poe, Emerson, Hawthorne

Prominent authors of the 19th century contributing to American literature in various genres.

Historians – Parkman & Bancroft

Notable American historians known for their detailed accounts of history.

Henry David Thoreau

Transcendentalist writer and philosopher focused on nature, individualism, and civil disobedience.

Hudson River School

Art movement focusing on American landscapes, characterized by romanticism and national pride.

Lyceum Movement

Public education initiative promoting organized adult education and community speakers.

Changing Population Patterns

Demographic shifts due to Manifest Destiny and urban growth.

Charles Fourier - Brook Farm

Utopian community experiment promoting communal living and labor; ultimately failed.

Utopian Communities – Fruitlands, Oneida

Attempts at creating ideal societies, with Oneida achieving financial success while Fruitlands failed.

Joseph Smith – Mormons

Founder of the Mormon religion, known for the Book of Mormon and teachings on polygamy.

Samuel Morse

Inventor of the telegraph and Morse code, revolutionizing long-distance communication.

Elias Howe

Inventor of the sewing machine, significantly impacting clothing mass production.

Isaac Singer

Developer of the practical sewing machine and a major player in the sewing machine industry.

John Deere

Inventor of the steel plow, enhancing farming efficiency in the Midwest.

Cyrus McCormick

Inventor of the mechanical reaper, revolutionizing the harvesting of crops.

Caroline & Creole Affairs

Diplomatic crises between the US and Britain involving ship raids and slave uprisings.

Election of 1840

William Henry Harrison elected president, died shortly after, leading to John Tyler's presidency.