Age of Jefferson and Era of Good Feelings

Thomas Jefferson

Third U.S. president who promoted republicanism, reason, and limited government; emphasized states’ rights and westward expansion, shaping the Democratic-Republican vision for America.

Democratic-Republican Party

Political party formed in opposition to Federalist centralization, favoring agrarianism and states’ rights; it marked the birth of America’s first party system and long-term debate over federal power.

Election of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power between parties (Adams [Federalist] to Jefferson [Democratic-Republican) that revealed flaws in the electoral system and led to the 12th Amendment; known as the “Revolution of 1800” for strengthening democratic norms.

12th Amendment

Required separate electoral votes for president and vice president, preventing future tie crises and stabilizing presidential elections.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Federalist law expanding the judiciary and allowing “midnight appointments”; significant because it attempted to preserve Federalist power after losing the presidency.

Midnight Appointments

Last-minute judicial appointments by John Adams that increased political conflict and helped spark the principle of judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established judicial review; significant for giving courts power to declare laws unconstitutional and strengthening the judicial branch.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Exploration of the Louisiana Territory by the Corps of Discovery unit that mapped western lands, strengthened U.S. claims, and disproved the Northwest Passage theory; crucial for westward expansion and Manifest Destiny.

Non-Importation Act (1806)

Law banning certain British goods to use economic pressure instead of war; significant as an early attempt at economic diplomacy.

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair

British attack on the American ship Chesapeake, increasing anti-British sentiment and pushing the nation toward war.

Embargo Act of 1807

Law halting all foreign trade to pressure Britain and France, repealed 15 months later; significant because it caused major economic damage to the U.S. and showed limits of economic coercion.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

U.S. acquisition of French territory that doubled the nation’s size; significant for promoting westward expansion despite constitutional uncertainty.

Tripolitan War (1801-1805)

First overseas war against the Barbary pirates because of refusal to pay tribute; significant for establishing U.S. willingness to defend commerce and national honor.

Shawnee Confederacy

Decentralized Native American alliance that resisted colonial and U.S. expansion; significant for shaping frontier conflict and indigenous resistance movements.

Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763-1765)

Native American uprising against British expansion; led to the Proclamation of 1763 and revealed tensions between settlers and indigenous peoples.

Proclamation of 1763

British order banning settlement west of the Appalachians; significant for angering colonists and contributing to Revolutionary sentiment.

Treaty of Stanwix (1768)

Agreement transferring large Native American (like the Iroquois) lands to Britain; significant because many tribes rejected it, leading to frontier violence.

Lord Dunmore’s War (1774)

Campaign initiated by John Murray, fourth earl of Dunmore, against a Shawnee-led Indian confederacy in the Ohio county over western lands; significant for escalating frontier instability before the American Revolution.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

Law organizing western territories and banning slavery there; significant for setting precedent for territorial expansion and federal control of new lands.

Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794)

U.S. victory by Major General Anthony Wayne over Native American confederation; significant for opening Ohio territory to American settlers.

Tecumseh

Shawnee leader who organized Native resistance to U.S. expansion; significant for representing the strongest Native military-political challenge to U.S. westward growth.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

U.S. victory over Tecumseh’s followers by William Henry Harrison; significant for weakening Native unity and forcing Tecumseh to ally with British to stop American expansion

Battle of the Thames (1813)

U.S. victory by Harrison where Tecumseh was killed; significant for ending major Native resistance in the Northwest.

James Madison

Fourth U.S. president and “Father of the Constitution” who led the nation into the War of 1812, reinforcing national sovereignty; Democratic-Republican

Non-Intercourse Act (1809)

Law reopening trade with all nations except Britain and France; significant as another failed economic pressure strategy.

Macon’s Bill No. 2 (1810)

Law offering to reopen trade with either Britain or France if the other stopped interference; Napoleon was the first to "accept"; significant for deepening tensions that led to war

War Hawks

Congressional leaders pushing for war with Britain to defend national honor and promote expansion; showed rising American nationalism.

War of 1812

Conflict with Britain over impressment, Natives attacking settlers with British help, warhawk support as opportunity for American expansion into Canada ; significant for confirming U.S. independence and boosting nationalism.

Battle of Lake Erie (September 1813)

Naval victory by Captain Perry that secured American control of Great Lakes; significant for preventing British invasions.

Burning of Washington (1814)

British destruction of the capital; significant for exposing military weakness but strengthening national resolve.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Major American victory led by Andrew Jackson; significant for creating a national hero and increasing American pride despite occurring after peace was signed.

Treaty of Ghent (1815)

Agreement ending the War of 1812 with no territorial changes; significant for restoring peace but leaving some issues unresolved.

Hartford Convention (1814-1815)

Federalist meeting that debated secession; significant for discrediting the Federalist Party and strengthening national unity.

Second Bank of the United States

National bank chartered to stabilize the economy after war; significant for expanding federal role in finance.

James Monroe

Fifth U.S. president who presided over political unity (Democratic-Republican) and national expansion during the Era of Good Feelings.

Era of Good Feelings

Period of reduced political conflict and strong nationalism; significant for masking growing sectional tensions.

Panic of 1819

First major U.S. economic depression; significant for exposing weaknesses in banking and speculative practices.

American System

Proposed economic plan by Henry Clay promoting internal improvements and protective tariffs; significant for highlighting debate over federal vs. state power.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Agreement admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state while banning slavery north of 36°30′; significant for temporarily easing sectional conflict.

Rush-Bagot Agreement (1818)

Treaty demilitarizing the Great Lakes; significant for improving U.S.-British relations and creating a lasting peaceful border.

Convention of 1818

Treaty setting the U.S.-Canada boundary and fishing rights; significant for stabilizing foreign relations.

Causes of the First Seminole War

land disputes between Seminoles and Americans, runaway slaves going to Florida angered slave owners, U.S. wanted Florida.

Adams-Onís Treaty (1819)

Agreement transferring Florida to the U.S. and defining borders; significant for completing U.S. control of eastern North America.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Policy warning European powers against colonization in the Western Hemisphere; significant as the foundation of long-term U.S. foreign policy and hemispheric dominance.

Manifest Destiny (Overarching Theme)

Belief that the U.S. was divinely destined to expand westward; influenced policies, wars, and territorial growth.

Nationalism (Overarching Theme)

Growing pride and unity after the War of 1812; led to stronger federal institutions and economic development.

Federal vs. State Power (Overarching Theme)

Ongoing debate over the balance of authority; shaped economic, political, and territorial policies.

Sectionalism (Overarching Theme)

Rising tension between North and South over slavery and economic interests; foreshadowed future national conflict.