Jeffersonian Democracy, the Early Republic, and the War of 1812

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, constitutional precedents, foreign policy crises, and the military campaigns and legacy of the War of 1812.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Legislation passed by Federalists in the final days of John Adams' presidency that created new federal judicial posts filled by Federalist loyalists to preserve party influence in the judiciary.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case in which Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that while William Marbury was entitled to his commission, the section of the Judiciary Act of 1789 granting the Court power to issue such writs was unconstitutional.

Judicial Review

The constitutional doctrine and legal precedent established in Marbury v. Madison affirming the Supreme Court's authority to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.

The Barbary War (1801–1805)

A Mediterranean naval conflict sparked when the Pasha of Tripoli demanded increased tribute from the U.S., resolved after a U.S. naval blockade and land assault ended tribute requirements to Tripoli.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

The acquisition of the French territory of Louisiana for $\$15\text{ million}$, which doubled the physical size of the United States and secured full control over New Orleans and the Mississippi River.

Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804–1806)

A government expedition commissioned to explore and map the Louisiana territory, establish diplomatic ties with Native tribes, and locate an overland and water route to the Pacific Ocean.

Sacagawea

A Shoshone woman who aided the Lewis & Clark Expedition by serving as an essential interpreter and wilderness guide.

Essex Junto

A group of High Federalists in New England who schemed to secede from the Union and sought the political backing of Aaron Burr.

Old Republicans ("Quids")

A strict constructionist political faction led by John Randolph of Roanoke that opposed Thomas Jefferson for compromising his principles in favor of practical executive power.

Burr Conspiracy

A clandestine plot by Aaron Burr and General James Wilkinson to establish an independent empire in the American West and Mexico, leading to Burr's trial and acquittal for treason.

Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Federal legislation signed by Thomas Jefferson that outlawed the international importation of enslaved individuals into the United States, taking effect on January 1, 1808.

Berlin and Milan Decrees

Trade edicts issued by Napoleon to cut off Great Britain from continental commerce and enforce economic restrictions against neutral maritime shipping.

Orders in Council

British maritime regulations issued during the Napoleonic Wars that required neutral merchant vessels to stop at British ports before conducting trade with continental Europe.

Impressment

The British Royal Navy's practice of boarding American merchant ships to seize alleged deserters, frequently taking native-born U.S. sailors by force.

Chesapeake Incident (1807)

A naval attack off the coast of Virginia in which the British vessel HMS Leopard fired on the USS Chesapeake after its commander refused an unauthorized search for deserters.

Embargo Act of 1807

A policy of "peaceable coercion" that halted all American commercial exports to foreign ports, severely damaging the domestic economy without altering British or French policies.

Non-Intercourse Act of 1809

Legislation replacing the Embargo Act of 1807 that restored American commerce with all foreign nations except Great Britain and France.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

A frontier battle in which General William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh's Native confederacy, revealing British arms and supply networks assisting Western tribes.

War Hawks

Aggressive, newly elected congressional leaders in 1810, such as Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who agitated for war with Britain to avenge national honor and expand U.S. territory into Canada and Florida.

"Mr. Madison's War"

A derogatory name used primarily by Federalists in New England to register their intense opposition to the War of 1812.

Battle of Lake Erie (1813)

A naval victory at Put-in-Bay led by Oliver Hazard Perry that secured American control of the Great Lakes and stabilized the northern frontier.

USS Constitution

An American warship nicknamed "Old Ironsides" that bolstered national morale by defeating the British frigate HMS Guerriere in a prominent naval engagement.

Battle of Horseshoe Bend (1814)

A Creek War confrontation in which Andrew Jackson and his militia defeated the "Red Stick" Creeks, forcing them to cede $23\text{ million}$ acres of territory.

Fort McHenry

A Baltimore fort whose successful defense against British bombardment in 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Battle of Lake Champlain (1814)

A defensive engagement at Plattsburgh where American forces halted an invading British army, compelling Great Britain to abandon its northern campaign and pursue peace.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

The agreement concluded on December 24, 1814, that ended the War of 1812 by reestablishing pre-war boundaries on the basis of status quo ante bellum.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

A major engagement on January 8, 1815, where General Andrew Jackson repelled a British invasion force two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, creating intense national pride.

Hartford Convention (1814–1815)

A secret meeting of New England Federalists to air regional grievances, suggest constitutional restrictions on federal power, and discuss secession, which ruined the party's reputation when news of peace arrived.

Decatur's Algerian Expedition (1815)

A punitive naval mission commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur to North Africa that successfully and permanently brought an end to Barbary piracy against American merchant shipping.

"Era of Good Feelings"

A period characterized by heightened national unity and the temporary absence of partisan competition following James Monroe's landslide presidential victory in 1816.