APUSH Unit 4 Key Topics: Federalists, Democratic-Republicans, and Early 19th Century Expansion

APUSH Unit 4 Study Guide

Quasi-War with France

An undeclared naval conflict (1798-1800) between the U.S. and France over trade and treaties. Significance: Led to stronger U.S. Navy and fueled Federalist support for a strong central government.

Expanding Democracy

The early 1800s saw more white men gain the right to vote, ending property requirements. Significance: Shifted politics toward populism and the "common man."

Industrial Revolution

Transition from handmade to machine-made goods, especially in textiles. Significance: Transformed the U.S. economy, spurred urbanization, and deepened regional differences.

Technological Innovations

New inventions (cotton gin, steamboat, etc.) improved productivity and transport. Significance: Accelerated westward expansion and tied regions together economically.

Debates over the Constitution

Disputes over federal vs. state power and constitutional interpretation. Significance: Defined early American politics (Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans).

American Identity

The growth of national pride and political independence after the Revolution. Significance: Fostered unity but also conflict over who "counted" as American.

Slavery

Expanded in the South due to cotton, even as Northern states began gradual emancipation. Significance: Became the central moral and political issue dividing the nation.

Federalists

Party led by Hamilton and Adams supporting strong central government and industry. Significance: Advocated for loose interpretation of the Constitution.

Democratic-Republicans

Led by Jefferson and Madison, favored states' rights and agrarianism. Significance: Championed strict constitutional interpretation.

John Adams

2nd U.S. president (1797-1801); Federalist who passed the Alien and Sedition Acts. Significance: His presidency exposed tensions between liberty and national security.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws restricting criticism of government and targeting immigrants (1798). Significance: Seen as Federalist overreach; spurred backlash and Jefferson's election.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Jefferson and Madison's response claiming states could nullify federal laws. Significance: Early assertion of states' rights doctrine.

Midnight Appointments

Adams' last-minute judicial appointments before leaving office. Significance: Led to Marbury v. Madison and establishment of judicial review.

Marshall Court

Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Marshall (1801-1835). Significance: Strengthened federal power and judiciary independence.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Upheld national bank's constitutionality using "implied powers." Significance: Expanded federal authority via the Elastic Clause.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review (Court can declare laws unconstitutional). Significance: Made Supreme Court coequal with other branches.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Struck down a NY steamboat monopoly. Significance: Expanded federal power over interstate commerce.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Ruled Cherokee were a distinct nation. Significance: Jackson ignored ruling, leading to Indian Removal.

Elastic Clause

Part of the Constitution allowing Congress to pass "necessary and proper" laws. Significance: Basis for implied powers debate.

Loose vs. Strict Interpretation

Disagreement over broad vs. narrow reading of the Constitution. Significance: Defined early party politics.

Election of 1800

Jefferson defeated Adams in the first peaceful party transfer of power. Significance: Marked success of democratic process.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd U.S. president (1801-1809), Democratic-Republican. Significance: Doubled U.S. size with Louisiana Purchase and reduced federal power.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

U.S. bought Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million. Significance: Doubled U.S. territory; challenged Jefferson's strict interpretation beliefs.

Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806)

Explored Louisiana Territory to map routes and establish trade. Significance: Expanded geographic and scientific knowledge.

Sacagawea

Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark. Significance: Symbol of Native assistance in U.S. expansion.

Adams-Onís Treaty (1819)

Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. Significance: Defined U.S.-Spanish border and expanded U.S. territory.

Expansion of Slavery

Movement of slavery westward with cotton cultivation. Significance: Intensified sectional tensions.

Gradual Emancipation

Northern laws freeing slaves over time. Significance: Began North-South divide on slavery.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Missouri entered as slave state, Maine as free; 36°30′ line set. Significance: Temporarily maintained balance but deepened sectionalism.

Gag Rule (1836-1844)

Congress automatically tabled anti-slavery petitions. Significance: Suppressed abolitionist debate and angered reformers.

Jefferson's "Firebell in the Night" (1820)

His reaction to Missouri debates, warning of sectional crisis. Significance: Predicted Civil War tensions.

Henry Clay

Senator who promoted compromises and economic programs. Significance: Key architect of the American System and Missouri Compromise.

American System

Clay's plan for federal support of internal improvements, tariffs, and a national bank. Significance: Promoted national unity and industrial growth.

Bank of the U.S.

National bank established to stabilize currency. Significance: Central to debates over federal power (esp. Jackson's era).

Protective Tariff

Tax on imports to boost domestic manufacturing. Significance: Benefited the North but angered Southern planters.

"Era of Good Feelings" (1817-1825)

Period of political unity under Monroe. Significance: Masked growing sectional differences.

Virginia Dynasty

Series of early presidents from Virginia (Jefferson, Madison, Monroe). Significance: Reflected dominance of Southern leadership in early politics.

Tecumseh and the Prophet

Native leaders who formed a confederacy to resist U.S. expansion. Significance: Their defeat weakened Native resistance in the Northwest.

Battle of Tippecanoe (1811)

U.S. victory over Tecumseh's forces led by William Henry Harrison. Significance: Major setback for Native resistance.

Impressment

British practice of forcing American sailors into their navy. Significance: Key cause of the War of 1812.

Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807)

British attack on U.S. ship Chesapeake. Significance: Sparked outrage and anti-British sentiment.

Embargo Act (1807)

Jefferson banned all foreign trade to avoid war. Significance: Hurt U.S. economy, increased domestic manufacturing.

Non-Intercourse Act (1809)

Reopened trade with all nations except Britain and France. Significance: Failed to resolve tensions.

Macon's Bill No. 2 (1810)

Restored trade with Britain/France if they stopped attacking U.S. ships. Significance: Led to renewed conflict with Britain.

War of 1812

Conflict with Britain over trade, impressment, and frontier attacks. Significance: Boosted nationalism and ended Native resistance east of Mississippi.

War Hawks

Southern and Western congressmen pushing for war (e.g., Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun). Significance: Advocated U.S. honor and expansion.

Burning of Washington, D.C. (1814)

British retaliation during the war. Significance: Symbolized U.S. vulnerability.

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Andrew Jackson's victory after the war ended. Significance: Made Jackson a national hero.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Ended the war, restoring prewar boundaries. Significance: No clear winner but reaffirmed independence.

Hartford Convention (1814-1815)

New England Federalists protested war, discussed secession. Significance: Discredited Federalists permanently.

"The Star-Spangled Banner"

Written by Francis Scott Key during British bombardment. Significance: Became a national symbol of resilience.

James Monroe

5th president (1817-1825). Significance: Oversaw the "Era of Good Feelings" and issued Monroe Doctrine.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Declared the Americas off-limits to European colonization. Significance: Cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.

Election of 1824

No candidate won majority; John Quincy Adams chosen by House. Significance: Led to accusations of "Corrupt Bargain."

Electoral College

Body that formally elects the president. Significance: Controversial after 1824 due to split between popular and electoral votes.

John Quincy Adams

6th president (1825-1829). Significance: His presidency was weakened by Jacksonian opposition.

Henry Clay

Used influence as Speaker to help Adams win in 1824 ("Corrupt Bargain"). Significance: Became target of Jackson's supporters.

Andrew Jackson

Hero of New Orleans; 7th president (1829-1837). Significance: Expanded executive power and popular democracy.

"Corrupt Bargain"

Alleged deal between Adams and Clay to make Adams president. Significance: United Jacksonians and fueled his 1828 victory.

"Common Man"

Jackson's appeal to ordinary white voters. Significance: Expanded democratic participation but excluded women and minorities.

Universal White Male Suffrage

Removal of property requirements for voting. Significance: Increased voter turnout and political equality among white men.

Election of 1828

Jackson defeated Adams. Significance: Marked rise of mass democracy and political campaigning.

Whigs

Opponents of Jackson favoring Congress and internal improvements. Significance: Formed second major political party system.

Democrats

Jackson's party supporting limited federal government and agrarianism. Significance: Promoted popular democracy.

Nullification Crisis (1832-1833)

South Carolina declared federal tariffs null and void. Significance: Tested federal authority vs. states' rights.

Tariff of 1828 ("Tariff of Abominations")

High tariff favoring Northern industry. Significance: Angered South, led to Nullification Crisis.

John C. Calhoun

VP under Jackson; defended nullification. Significance: Leading advocate for states' rights.

South Carolina Exposition and Protest (1828)

Calhoun's argument that states could nullify federal laws. Significance: Early secessionist thought.

Webster-Hayne Debate (1830)

Senate debate on states' rights vs. national unity. Significance: Webster argued "Liberty and Union, now and forever."

Force Act (1833)

Authorized Jackson to use military force to enforce tariffs. Significance: Asserted federal supremacy.

Compromise Tariff of 1833

Henry Clay's compromise lowering tariffs gradually. Significance: Ended the Nullification Crisis.

Bank War

Jackson's campaign to destroy the Second Bank of the U.S. Significance: Expanded presidential power; weakened national banking.

"Pet Banks"

State banks where Jackson deposited federal funds. Significance: Led to inflation and economic instability.

Specie Circular (1836)

Required land purchases to be made in gold/silver. Significance: Contributed to Panic of 1837.

Panic of 1837

Financial crisis following Jackson's policies. Significance: Severe depression hurting Van Buren's presidency.

Martin Van Buren

8th president (1837-1841). Significance: Inherited economic crisis; created Independent Treasury.

Spoils System

Rewarding political supporters with government jobs. Significance: Increased party loyalty but corruption too.

Veto Power

Jackson used presidential veto frequently. Significance: Strengthened executive branch.

"King Andrew"

Nickname critics gave Jackson for abusing power. Significance: Symbolized debate over executive authority.

Peggy Eaton Affair

Cabinet scandal over social ostracism. Significance: Split Jackson's cabinet, strengthening "Kitchen Cabinet."

"Kitchen Cabinet"

Jackson's informal advisors. Significance: Showed distrust of traditional institutions.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Authorized forced relocation of Native tribes west of Mississippi. Significance: Led to Trail of Tears.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Court ruled Cherokee were sovereign; Jackson ignored it. Significance: Exposed limits of judicial authority.

Trail of Tears (1838)

Forced Cherokee migration to Indian Territory. Significance: Thousands died; major human rights tragedy.

Cherokee

Southeastern tribe removed under the Act. Significance: Central to Native resistance to removal.

John Ross

Cherokee chief who resisted removal. Significance: Represented legal resistance to U.S. policy.

Indian Territory

Area (modern Oklahoma) designated for relocated tribes. Significance: Became site of multiple forced migrations.

Seminole Wars (1816-1858)

Conflicts in Florida between U.S. and Seminole people. Significance: Longest U.S. Indian conflict; some Seminoles never surrendered.

"Log Cabin and Hard Cider" Campaign (1840)

Whig campaign for William Henry Harrison. Significance: First modern, populist presidential campaign.