The Jeffersonian Republic and War of 1812

Revolution of 1800

the peaceful transfer of power between rival parties solidified faith in America’s political system

electoral victory of Democratic-Republicans over the Federalists, who lost their congressional majority and the presidency

Judiciary Act of 1801

passed towards the very end of Adams presidency by the departing Federalists congress

→created 16 new federal judges (known as midnight judges), ensuring a Federalists hold on the judiciary

John Marshall

notably known for establishing the judicial review (the power of the supreme court to determine if government actions/law/policies are constitutional or not) & strengthening federal authority over states and commence

→Federalists

→2nd U.S. Chief Justice

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case that established the principle of “judiciary review” (the power of the Supreme Court to determine if government actions/law/policies are constitutional or not)

→Marbury was going to be one of the 16 midnight judges, but problems with paperwork occurred, and Adams was out of the office, so Marbury was unable to get the job. He brought this issue to court because he felt as if he was "promised" the job. He didn’t get the job in the end.

Louisiana Purchase

• acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France

• the purchase doubled the territory of the U.S., opening vast tracts for settlement

→Jefferson was the president during the Louisiana Purchase

Lewis and Clark Expedition

2 men sent by Jefferson to explore the newly acquired land of Louisiana

→their goals were to (a) meet and befriend the Indians, (b) seek new trade routes, (c) documentation of geography, plants, animals, etc

→Expedition lasted 2 ½ years

Burr v.s Hamilton Duel

the two men had long been political rivals, but the immediate cause of the duel was disparaging remarks Hamilton had allegedly made about Burr at a dinner to which Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton agreed and showed up to the fight, resulting in him getting killed

Chesapeake Affair (1807)

conflict between Britain and the U.S. that precipitated the 1807 embargo

→conflict developed when a British ship, in search of deserters, fired on the American Chesapeake off the Coasts of Virginia

Embargo Act (1807)

reaction to the Chesapeake Affair + resulted in the U.S. stopping all trade with foreign nations

Non-intercourse Act (1809)

• passed alongside the repeal of the Embargo Act, it reopened trade with all but two belligerent nations, Britain and France

• the act continued Jefferson’s policy of economic conversion, still with little effect

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

• fought between Britain and the U.S. largely over the issues of trade and impressment

• the war ended in a relative draw, but demonstrated America’s willingness to defend its interest militarily, earning the young nation newfound respect from European powers

Often nicknamed the 2nd U.S. War for Independence

Tecumseh

Shawnee Chief and warrior who promoted resistance to U.S. expansion into the Northwest Territory (where native Americans reside)

William Henry Harrison

9th U.S. president (served the shortest presidency)

→attacked and defeated the Shawnee at the Battle of Tippecanoe, making him a national hero

Battle of Thames (October 1813)

U.S. victory during the War of 1812, where American forces under William Henry Harrison defeated British and native American troops in Ontario

→resulted in the death of Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, and the collapse of his Confederacy

→the victory secured U.S. control of the region

Battle of New Orleans (January 1815)

resounding victory of American forces against the British, restoring American confidence and fueling an outpouring of nationalism

→final battle of the War of 1812

Tariff of 1816

first protective tariff in American history, created primarily to shield New England manufacturers from the inflow of British goods after the War of 1812

Henry Clay

a leader of the “War Hawks” (young, nationalistic U.S. congressmen who pushed for war with /great Britain because of resentment towards British interference with U.S. trade and support for native American resistance), driving the U.S. into the War of 1812

→promoted the Missouri Compromise + developed the American System

→nicknamed the “Great Compromiser”

American System

economic plan (developed by Henry Clay) to rebuild the U.S. economy after the War of 1812 and make the U.S. more economically self-reliant and less dependent on Europe, especially Great Britain

→Three Part Plan:

1. a strong banking system (national bank to stabilize currency and finance development)

2. protective tariffs to boost American goods

3. internal improvement (build a strong transportation network of roads and canals)

Era of Good Feelings (1816-1824)

period of one-party, Republican, rule during James Monroe’s presidency. The name of the era obscures bitter conflicts over internal improvements, slavery, and the national bank

→Political Unity

→An era where everything seems to be going well (it wasn’t going well)

Panic of 1819

first depression in U.S. history

• severe financial crisis brought on primarily by the efforts of the Bank of the United States to curb overspeculation on Western lands.

• Disproportionatley affected the poorer classes, especially in the west, sowing the seeds of Jacksonian democracy

Land Act of 1820

fueled the settlement of the Northwest and Missouri territories by lowering the price of public land. Also prohibited the purchase of federal acreage on credit, thereby eliminating one of the causes of the Panic of 1819

Missouri Compromise (1820)

allowed slavery in Missouri while simultaneously admitting Maine as a free state and prohibiting slavery from territories around in the Louisiana Purchase, North of the line of 36°30’

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court case that strengthened federal authority and uphold upheld the constitutionality of the Bank of the United States by establishing that the states of Maryland did not have power to tax the book

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

suit over whether New York State could grant a monopoly to ferry operating on interstate waters. The ruling reasserted that Congress had the sole power to regulate interstate commerce

→ The federal government was growing during this time period

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

statement delivered by President James Monroe, warning European powers to refrain from seeking any new territories in the Americas

→U.S. lacked power to back up the pronouncement, which was actually enforced by the British, who sought unrestrained access to Lain American markets