Ch 8 Sample IDs

What was the "Era of Good Feelings"?

A period (approx. 1815-1825) reflecting national unity and purpose, largely due to one-party rule by Democratic-Republicans. Sectional tensions, however, remained beneath the surface.

Define Sectionalism in the context of early 19th-century America.

Loyalty to one's region over the nation, leading to clashing political and economic interests (e.g., slavery, tariffs) between the North, South, and West.

Who was Henry Clay, and what was his "American System"?

Henry Clay, the "Great Compromiser," proposed the "American System": high tariffs to protect industry, a national bank to boost commerce, and federal funding for infrastructure like roads and canals to create profitable markets.

What was the significance of Eli Whitney's interchangeable parts?

Eli Whitney's concept, initially for muskets, enabled mass production by using standardized components, simplifying assembly and repairs, and significantly boosting manufacturing efficiency.

Who was Robert Fulton, and what was the impact of his steamboat?

Robert Fulton developed the first commercially successful steamboat, the Clermont, in 1807. Steamboats revolutionized river transportation, making upstream travel efficient and significantly reducing travel times and freight costs.

Describe the Lowell System and its role in American textile production.

The Lowell System was a labor and production model used in textile mills in Lowell, Massachusetts, primarily in the early 19th century. It employed young, unmarried women ("Lowell Girls") who lived in company boardinghouses, providing them with supervision and educational opportunities, while mills integrated all stages of cloth production.

What was the significance of Eli Whitney's Cotton Gin?

Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, the cotton gin efficiently separated cotton fibers from seeds. This invention dramatically increased cotton production and profitability, leading to a boom in the Southern agricultural economy and unfortunately, a greater demand for enslaved labor.

What was the Market Revolution in the early 19th century?

The Market Revolution was a drastic change in the manual-labor system resulting in a shift from a largely agrarian, subsistence economy to one increasingly dominated by commercial agriculture and manufacturing, driven by new technologies, infrastructure (canals, roads, railroads), and mass production.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Fletcher v. Peck (1810)?

In Fletcher v. Peck, the Supreme Court ruled that a state law altering a land grant contract was unconstitutional, establishing the principle that the Supreme Court could declare state laws unconstitutional and protecting property rights and contracts.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)?

Gibbons v. Ogden affirmed the federal government's broad power to regulate interstate commerce under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, striking down a New York monopoly on steamboat operation and promoting a unified national economy.