Unit 4 Key Terms: 1800–1848

This deck covers key terms and concepts from Unit 4 (1800–1848) of AP U.S. History, including major political developments, landmark Supreme Court cases, economic changes, reform movements, and significant events that shaped early 19th-century America. Topics include Jeffersonian democracy, the Market Revolution, Jacksonian policies, the Second Great Awakening, and early efforts in abolition and women's rights. Perfect for preparing for the APUSH exam or class assessments.

Revolution of 1800

The term refers to the peaceful transfer of power from the Federalist Party to the Democratic-Republican Party following the presidential election of 1800, marking a significant shift in American political control.

Thomas Jefferson

He was the third president of the United States and a leading figure in the American Revolution, known for drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

The acquisition of territory from France that doubled the size of the United States, including land from 15 present-day states.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

A journey led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the newly acquired western territories after the Louisiana Purchase, mapping and documenting the region from 1804 to 1806.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.

John Marshall

The fourth Chief Justice of the United States, known for his influential decisions that established the authority of the Supreme Court and strengthened federal power.

War of 1812

A conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815, driven by issues such as impressment of American sailors and trade restrictions, which ultimately affirmed American sovereignty.

Hartford Convention

A series of meetings held by New England Federalists in 1814-1815 to discuss their grievances regarding the War of 1812 and propose constitutional amendments.

Era of Good Feelings

A period of relative political unity and national pride in the United States following the War of 1812, characterized by the decline of the Federalist Party and the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Legislation that admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, establishing a line dividing future free and slave territories.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

A pivotal policy statement declaring that the Americas were no longer open to European colonization and that any interference in the western hemisphere would be viewed as a hostile act.

Market Revolution

A significant transformation in the late 18th and early 19th centuries that witnessed the shift from agrarian economies to industrial ones, marked by advancements in transportation, communication, and the expansion of markets.

Erie Canal

A significant waterway completed in 1825, connecting the Hudson River to Lake Erie, facilitating trade and transportation.

Cotton gin

A machine invented by Eli Whitney in 1793 that efficiently separates cotton fibers from seeds, revolutionizing the cotton industry and increasing the demand for slave labor in the South.

Lowell System

A factory system introduced in the early 19th century that employed young women from rural areas to work in textile mills, emphasizing efficiency and the use of mechanized manufacturing.

Second Great Awakening

A religious revival movement in the early 19th century that emphasized individual piety and social reform, leading to increased participation in religious activities and the founding of new denominations.

Transcendentalism

A philosophical movement in the early to mid-19th century that promoted the idea of self-reliance, individualism, and a deep connection to nature, encouraging people to look beyond materialism.

Abolitionism

A movement aimed at ending slavery and promoting the rights of enslaved individuals, gaining momentum in the early to mid-19th century.

Seneca Falls Convention (1848)

The first women's rights convention held in the United States, which addressed issues such as suffrage and gender equality, leading to the Declaration of Sentiments.

Jacksonian Democracy

A political movement during the early 19th century that expanded democratic participation, championing the common man and emphasizing the importance of individual rights and majority rule.

Spoils System

a practice in which incoming political parties give government jobs to supporters as a reward for their loyalty.

indian Removal Act (1830)

Legislation that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to designated territories west of the Mississippi River, leading to the Trail of Tears.

Nullification Crisis

A confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government in the early 1830s, where the state attempted to nullify federal tariffs, asserting states' rights over federal authority.

Bank War

A political struggle in the 1830s between President Andrew Jackson and supporters of the Second Bank of the United States over the future of the banking system.

Panic of 1837

A financial crisis that triggered a severe economic depression in the United States, characterized by bank failures, high unemployment, and a collapse in land prices.

Whig Party

A political party formed in the 1830s, opposing Andrew Jackson and favoring a stronger federal government, economic modernization, and infrastructure development.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion (1831)

A slave revolt led by Nat Turner in Virginia that resulted in the deaths of many, ultimately highlighting the tensions surrounding slavery and leading to harsher laws.