Unit 4 - Early Republic & Manifest Destiny

Thomas Jefferson

1800-1808

Democratic-Republican, 3rd president of the US. and had an agrarian vision for the nation

He had a strict interpretation of the constitution but made exceptions (Louisiana Purchase)

Also pushed for the Embargo Act of 1807 to protest British impressment of American citizens and relationships with France

James Madison

1808-1816

Democratic-Republican, 4th president, very close to Jefferson

Led the U.S. into the War of 1812, based on British impressment and the passionate fervor of congressional War Hawks, despite the protests of Federalists who held the Hatford Convention where some considered secession

James Monroe

1816-1824

Democratic-Republican, 5th president

Best known for the Monroe Doctrine and his Era of Good Feelings following symbolic victory in the War of 1812

Tecumseh

A Shawnee leader, who fought against the U.S. expansion into the Midwest

He opposed any surrender of Native American land to whites, and tried with his brother, Tenskwatawa the “Prophet',” in uniting various tribes

His death during the War of 1812 was a major blow to native opposition to westward expansion

Nat Turner

Enslaved African-American man who led a slave rebellion in 1831

Killed over 50 white people, was eventually executed

White fear of slave revolts increased significantly

Mill Girls

Young women who lived in factory villages and worked in New England textile mills like Lowell, MA

Despite strict rules, offered some independence for lower class women

Upper class women often didn’t work and instead controlled the home or domestic sphere (Cult of Domesticity)

Andrew Jackson

1828-1836

7th President

War of 1812, Battle of New Orleans hero named “Old Hickory”

Extremely controversial, called ‘King Jackson’ by some due to overuse of veto power

He fought 2nd national bank, made “Spoils System” to give jobs to supporters, and supported Indian Removal through laws and ignoring the Worcester v. Georgia SC decision

Democrate and Whigs

Whigs formed to oppose Jackson, wanted the national government to spur the nation’s economic growth, made up of mostly eastern businessmen and southern planters and former Federalists

Democrats were a new political party to support Jackson and his common man ideology, state’s rights, and included mostly of farmers and workers

Marbury v. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review

Marshall declared the Judiciary Act that would grant Marbury a job, to be unconstitutional

Missouri Compromise

Legislation that admitted Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state, maintaining the balance of power between North and South in the Sentate despite growing tension over slavery

Slavery was prohibited north of the 36°30′, excluding Missouri

Signed by President James Monroe

Indian Removal Act 1830

Passed by Congress under Jackson, this law removed all “Indians” east of the Mississippi to an “Indian territory” in Oklahoma

Those resisting eviction were forcibly removed by American forces, often after prolonged legal or military battles

Forced path west was called Trail of Tears, up to 1/3 died on the trail

Monroe Doctrine

1823 Foreign policy established by James Monroe, warned Europe to not colonize or get involved in Western Hemisphere

Also said that America would stay out of European affairs

Nullification Crisis

Led by VP Calhoun of SC passed the Nullification Act declaring Tariff of 1828 illegal

South Carolina threatened to secede, or leave, the union

Henry Clay proposed a compromise which would lower the tariff

Jackson asked Congress for a Force Bill which would allow him to use military to enforce the Tariff in the South

Industrial Revolution

Transition from agriculture to industry, from handmade to machine-made, in the 1790s-1830s

Began in Britain and came to America

Created tremendous shift in the economy and workers and was bolstered by new inventions and advancements such as the cotton gin, canals, steam engine, power loom, early trains, steel, telegraph, etc.

Nationalism & Sectionalism

Nationalism: feelings of pride/loyalty towards your country

Sectionalism: pride/loyalty towards your specific region of the country

Both grew in the 1800s

Elastic Clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution

“Necessary but proper” clause gives Congress implied powers (National Bank, etc.) to create laws not stated in Constitution

Manifest Destiny

The idea that Americans were destined to expand West and cultivate and civilize the country from coast to coast

It was a cultural and religious philosophy America used to justify its acquisition of territory beyond the original colonies

Most acquisitions came via treaty, purchase, or annexation during the period 1803-1853

Common Man Era

Reducing voter requirements allowed more (white men) to participate in elections, not just the wealthy landowners, but average citizens

Jackson was the first president not born into wealth - he earned his own fortune, and first president who came from the west

New era of ‘common’ people being involved in Government

1800

‘Peaceful’ Revolution

Jefferson & Democratic-Republicans take power

1803

Louisiana Purchase, west expansion begins

1812-1814

War of 1812, Draw against Britain but symbolic victory

1824

John Quincy Adams elected, ‘Corrupt bargain’

1832

Worcester v. Georgia SC rules in favor of natives keeping land, Jackson ignores

Bank War, Jackson vetoes 2nd national bank

1836

Texas settlers defeat Mexico and declare Independence

1846-1848

Mexican-American War, major territory gain for U.S.