Period 4 -- APUSH

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from the lecture notes on the Jefferson to Jackson era in American history.

Jefferson’s inauguration & Philosophy

• called for unity: “We are all Republicans; we are all Federalists”

• wanted a limited federal government but kept some federalist policies

• believed in an agrarian republic and strict interpretation (but not always consistant)

jefferson’s policies

• Maintained National Bank and Hamilton’s debt plan to preserve economic stability.

• Supported neutrality in foreign affairs (continued Washington’s policy).

• Reduced size of the military and cut unnecessary federal jobs.

• Repealed excise taxes (like the whiskey tax).

• Lowered national debt significantly through spending cuts.

louisiana Purchase (1803)

• Purchased from France for $15 million.

• Doubled the size of the U.S., giving control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans.

• Constitutional dilemma for Jefferson (strict interpreter) → used treaty-making powers.

• Led to Lewis and Clark Expedition to explore the new territory.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• William Marbury sued for his midnight judge appointment.

• Established Judicial Review: Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

• Increased power of the judicial branch; strengthened the federal government.

the Marshall Court

• William Marbury sued for his midnight judge appointment.

• Established Judicial Review: Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

• Increased power of the judicial branch; strengthened the federal government.

foreign issues under jefferson

• Barbary Pirates: Jefferson sent navy to protect American merchant ships.

• Napoleonic Wars in Europe caused trade restrictions and threats.

• Impressment: British forced American sailors into service.

• Chesapeake–Leopard Affair (1807): British warship attacked U.S. ship; raised tensions.

• Embargo Act (1807): Cut all U.S. trade → hurt American economy severely, especially NE.

• Repealed in 1809 except for Britain and France (Non-Intercourse Act).

james madison & road to war of 1812

• Madison inherited trade tensions and violations of U.S. neutrality.

• War Hawks (Henry Clay & John C. Calhoun) pushed for war with Britain.

• Causes:
   – Impressment of sailors
   – Attacks on U.S. ships
   – British support for Native tribes on frontier
   – Desire to take Canada

• Opposition: New England merchants & Federalists (hurt trade).

war of 1812 - major events

• U.S. disadvantages: small navy, weak army, poorly trained militia.

• Native involvement: Many sided with Britain to stop western expansion.

• Key Battles:
   – Tippecanoe: Harrison defeats Tecumseh’s forces.
   – Horseshoe Bend: Jackson defeats Creek Nation.
   – Fort McHenry: Inspired the “Star-Spangled Banner.”
   – New Orleans: Andrew Jackson’s major victory (after peace treaty).

• British burned Washington D.C. in 1814.

treaty of Ghent (1814) & Significance

• Ended the war; no territorial changes (status quo antebellum).

• Significance:
   – Boosted nationalism & unity.
   – End of Federalist Party (Hartford Convention damaged their image).
   – Increased manufacturing due to blockade.
   – Weakened Native resistance in the West.
   – Encouraged U.S. isolation from European conflicts.

era of good feelings (1817-1825)

• Period of political unity with one party (Democratic-Republicans).

• Growing nationalism in economy, culture, and diplomacy.

• Major treaties:
   – Convention of 1818: 49th parallel border with Canada.
   – Adams-Onís Treaty (1819): Spain ceded Florida to the U.S.
   – Joint occupation of Oregon with Britain.

monroe doctrine (1823)

• Warned Europe against future colonization in the Americas.

• U.S. would not involve itself in European wars.

• Europe must not interfere with newly independent Latin American nations.

• Became a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and isolationism.

american system (henry clay)

• National economic plan to unify the country:
   – Protective Tariffs to support manufacturing.
   – National Bank to stabilize currency.
   – Internal Improvements (roads/canals) to connect regions.

• Instrumental in developing national market economy and transportation network.

missouri compromise (1820)

• Issue: Missouri wanted to enter as a slave state → threatened balance.

• Solution:
   – Missouri = slave state
   – Maine = free state
   – No slavery above the 36°30’ line in Louisiana Territory.

• Temporary fix for sectional tensions between North & South.

market revolution (1800-1848)

• Transformation of U.S. economy from local to national market system.

• Driven by innovations in:
   – Transportation (Erie Canal, turnpikes, steamboats, railroads)
   – Communication (telegraph)
   – Mechanization (factory system, interchangeable parts)

• Effects:
   – Growth of factories in the North.
   – Rise of King Cotton & slavery in the South.
   – Western farming boom (wheat, corn, livestock).

cultural nationalism 

• American culture shifted to focus on national identity.

• Hudson River School: landscape painters highlighting American nature.

• Literature: Washington Irving, James Fenimore Cooper.

• Noah Webster standardized American English (dictionary).

reform movements (1830s-1850s)

• Motivated by:
   – Second Great Awakening (religious revival)
   – Urban problems from industrialization
   – Growing middle class
   – Desire to improve society

• Movements:
   – Temperance (alcohol moderation)
   – Education (Horace Mann → public schooling)
   – Prison and asylum reform (Dorothea Dix)
   – Women’s rights (Seneca Falls coming later)
   – Abolitionism (Garrison, Frederick Douglass)
   – Utopian communities (Shakers, Brook Farm)
   – Transcendentalism (Emerson, Thoreau)

slavery during this era

• Cotton gin increases slavery’s profitability.

• Slave resistance: breaking tools, slow work, escape attempts, revolts.

• Revolts:
   – Gabriel Prosser (1800)
   – Denmark Vesey (1822)
   – Nat Turner (1831) → led to stricter slave codes.

• African American culture: community, religion, kinship networks.

• American Colonization Society (1817): proposed sending free Blacks to Africa.

women in antebellum america

• Cult of Domesticity: Women expected to stay in home sphere.

• Increased role in reforms such as temperance, education, abolition.

• Early pushes for political equality begin (foreshadows Seneca Falls).

election of 1824 & corrupt bargain 

• Four candidates: Jackson, Adams, Clay, Crawford.

• Jackson won popular vote but not majority → House decided.

• Clay supported Adams → Adams won.

• Adams made Clay Secretary of State → “Corrupt Bargain” accusation.

• Led to split in Democratic-Republican Party. The election of 1824 is significant because it marked a contentious selection process where John Quincy Adams, despite losing the popular vote to Andrew Jackson, was elected by the House of Representatives. This resulted in allegations of a "Corrupt Bargain" after Adams appointed Henry Clay as his Secretary of State, further deepening divisions within the Democratic-Republican Party.

rise of jacksonian democracy

• More democratic political system.

• Universal white male suffrage expanded.

• Nominating conventions replaced caucus system.

• Growth of newspapers increased voter participation.

• Spoils system: Jackson rewarded supporters with government jobs.

nullification crisis (1832-1833)

• Tariff of Abominations angered South Carolina.

• SC declared tariff null and void.

• Jackson responded with Force Bill → military could enforce laws.

• Compromise tariff passed → crisis resolved.

• Showed tension between states’ rights and federal authority.

indian removal & trail of tears

• Indian Removal Act (1830): Forced relocation west of Mississippi.

• Worcester v. Georgia (1832): Supreme Court said Natives were sovereign.

• Jackson ignored ruling (“Let him enforce it”).

• Trail of Tears (1838): Forced removal of 15,000 Cherokees; 4,000 died.

bank war & panic of 1837 

• Jackson opposed National Bank as elitist and undemocratic.

• Vetoed recharter and removed federal deposits → put into 'pet banks.'

• Led to inflation, speculation, and financial collapse.

• Panic of 1837 occurred under Van Buren.

election of 1840

• “Log Cabin and Hard Cider Campaign.”

• William Henry Harrison (Whig) won.

• Harrison died after one month → John Tyler became president.

• Tyler clashed with Whigs and was expelled from party.