Vocabulary Unit 2 History

Federalist Party

One of the first U.S. political parties, led by Alexander Hamilton. Advocated a strong central government, national bank, and pro-business policies, supported by merchants.

Democratic-Republican Party

One of the first U.S. political parties, founded by Thomas Jefferson. Favored states' rights, strict constitutional interpretation, and an agrarian economy, supported by farmers.

John Marshall

Fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1801-1835). His decisions strengthened federal power and established judicial review.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles from France for 15 million, doubling its size.

Embargo

A government ban on trade with another country. The Embargo Act of 1807 banned American ships from foreign ports.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. foreign policy (1823) declaring that European powers should not colonize or interfere in the Western Hemisphere, with the U.S. refraining from European affairs.

Andrew Jackson

Seventh U.S. President (1829-1837). His presidency expanded voting rights for white men and initiated Native American relocation.

Jacksonian democracy

A political philosophy stressing the common person, states' rights, and limited federal government, expanding suffrage for white men and emphasizing populism.

Protective tariffs

Taxes on imported goods designed to protect domestic industries by making foreign goods more expensive.

Nullification

A state's legal theory that it can invalidate (nullify) any federal law deemed unconstitutional, notably used during the Nullification Crisis of 1832.

Indian Removal Act

A 1830 law authorizing the forced removal of Native American tribes from southeastern U.S. to Indian Territory (Oklahoma).

Trail of Tears

The forced relocation of approximately 100,000 Native Americans (e.g., Cherokee) from their homelands to Indian Territory in the 1830s, causing thousands of deaths.

Whig Party

A U.S. political party (1830s-1850s) opposed to Andrew Jackson. Advocated a strong federal government, protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements.

Panic of 1837

A severe U.S. economic depression triggered by land speculation, President Jackson's specie circular, and banking issues, leading to widespread unemployment and bank failures.

Alexis de Tocqueville

French political thinker known for 'Democracy in America' (1835-1840), observing American egalitarianism and populism.

Egalitarianism

A belief in human equality, especially in rights and opportunities. In early America, it referred to the equality of all white men.

Populism

A political approach appealing to ordinary people's concerns, often contrasting with elites. A key aspect of Jacksonian democracy.

Laissez-faire

An economic doctrine opposing government intervention in the economy, advocating a free market. French for 'let do'.

Industrial Revolution

A period of industrialization starting in the late 18th century, shifting from agrarian, hand-craft economies to factory production and machinery.

Cotton gin

Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, it quickly separates cotton fibers from seeds, increasing cotton profitability and, tragically, the demand for enslaved labor.

Underground Railroad

A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved African Americans to escape to free states and Canada in the 19th century.

Abolitionists

Advocates for the immediate and complete end of slavery, particularly in the U.S. during the 19th century (e.g., Frederick Douglass).

Frederick Douglass

An escaped slave, prominent abolitionist leader, orator, and writer, advocating for human rights and equality in the 19th century.

Second Great Awakening

A U.S. religious revival (late 18th to mid-19th century) emphasizing personal conversion and leading to social reforms like abolitionism.

Lucretia Mott

American Quaker, abolitionist, and women's rights advocate. Co-organized the Seneca Falls Convention and authored the Declaration of Sentiments.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Leading figure in the early women's rights movement. Organized the Seneca Falls Convention and co-authored the Declaration of Sentiments, advocating suffrage.

Seneca Falls Convention

The first U.S. women's rights convention, held in July 1848, organized by Stanton and Mott, launching the organized women's rights movement.

Women's rights movement

A social movement seeking equal rights for women. In the mid-19th century, it focused on suffrage, property rights, and legal equality.

Declaration of Sentiments

A document signed in 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention, largely by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, detailing women's grievances and demands for equality, including suffrage.

Susan B. Anthony

A prominent leader in the women's suffrage movement, tirelessly campaigning for women's voting rights in the 19th century.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Expansionists

Individuals advocating for their country's territorial or economic expansion, often driven by ideologies like Manifest Destiny.

Manifest Destiny

A 19th-century belief that U.S. expansion across North America was divinely ordained, fueling westward expansion and land acquisition.

Sam Houston

Key figure in the Texas Revolution; commanded the Texian army, secured Texas independence, and served as its first president.

James K. Polk

11th U.S. President (1845-1849). A strong advocate of Manifest Destiny, his presidency saw significant territorial expansion via Texas annexation, Oregon Treaty, and Mexican Cession.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

The 1848 peace treaty ending the Mexican-American War. Mexico ceded vast territories to the U.S. (e.g., California, Nevada) for 15 million.

Mexican-American War

A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico (1846-1848) over the Texas border and U.S. expansionism, resulting in significant U.S. territorial gains (Mexican Cession).