Key Concepts from American Expansion and Social Movements (1790-1840s)

These flashcards cover key events, people, and concepts from American history between 1790 and the 1840s, focusing on expansion, social movements, and early political developments.

What is the Second Great Awakening known for?

Belief in individual salvation, emotional preaching, and an emphasis on personal piety and moral reform.

What reforms were stimulated by the Second Great Awakening?

Temperance, emancipation, and women’s rights.

Who was Charles Grandison Finney?

A preacher and evangelist during the Second Great Awakening.

What was the significance of the election of 1800?

Marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in the U.S.

What was the result of the Marbury v. Madison case?

Established the principle of judicial review.

What did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) uphold?

The constitutionality of the Bank of the United States and affirmed federal supremacy over state laws.

What was the Louisiana Purchase?

Acquisition that doubled the size of the U.S. for $15 million and secured control of the Mississippi River.

What were the effects of the Embargo Act of 1807?

Implemented a general embargo that harmed the U.S. economy and led to smuggling.

Who invented the first steamboat and what was its significance?

Robert Fulton; it demonstrated the practicality and efficiency of steam-powered river travel.

What was the Cumberland Road (National Road)?

The first federally funded road in the U.S., connecting Maryland to Illinois.

What sparked the War of 1812?

British impressment of American sailors and expansionist tendencies of war hawks.

What was the Hartford Convention?

A meeting of Federalists to discuss grievances against the War of 1812 and propose constitutional amendments.

What was the outcome of the War of 1812?

No territory was gained or lost, but there was a boost in American manufacturing and a wave of nationalism.

What was Henry Clay's 'American System'?

A national economic plan that included high tariffs, a national bank, and federal subsidies for transportation.

What were the main impacts of the Market Revolution?

Widespread mechanization of industry with improvements in transportation, communication, and industry.

What was the Missouri Compromise?

An agreement to maintain balance between slave and free states by allowing Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state.

What did the Monroe Doctrine state?

Warned European powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere.

Who was Stephen Austin and what did he do?

Granted land in Texas to settle American families who converted to Catholicism and obeyed Mexican laws.

What was the 'Corrupt Bargain'?

The alleged agreement between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay to secure Adams' election in 1824.

What was significant about the Erie Canal?

Improved New York's economy by decreasing transportation costs.

What did Jackson's 'spoils system' involve?

Appointing loyal supporters to government positions based on party loyalty rather than merit.

What was the Tariff of Abominations?

A protective tariff that angered the South, leading to the Nullification Crisis.

What was the Nullification Crisis?

Conflict between state and federal authority over tariffs, led by Calhoun's proposal to declare the tariff unconstitutional.

What was Jackson's stance on the National Bank?

Claimed it was unconstitutional and favored the wealthy elite; he withdrew federal deposits from it.

What was the Trail of Tears?

Forced relocation of Cherokee tribes resulting in devastating outcomes for the native people.

What did Transcendentalism emphasize?

Individualism, self-reliance, and the inherent goodness of people and nature.

Who was William Lloyd Garrison?

A radical abolitionist who founded the Liberator Newspaper advocating for immediate emancipation of all slaves.

What was the significance of the 1840 Election?

Marked the rise of mass democracy with the removal of property requirements for voting.

What was the Lone Star Rebellion?

The conflict between American Texans and Mexico that led to Texas' independence.

What was Calhoun's justification for slavery?

Claimed slavery was a 'positive good' benefitting both slaves and their owners.

Who succeeded Harrison as president?

John Tyler, who became the first vice president to assume the presidency after the president's death.

What prompted the rise of nativism in the 1840s?

The influx of Irish and German immigrants, leading to the formation of the Know Nothing Party.

What was the main issue of the election of 1824?

No candidate secured a majority of votes leading to a House decision.

What was the main theme of Jackson's presidency?

The rise of the common man and expansion of democratic practices.

What led to increased tensions between the North and South during the early 19th century?

Issues surrounding tariffs, states' rights, and the expansion of slavery.

Which innovation greatly impacted transportation in the early 19th century?

The steamboat, which facilitated faster and more efficient river travel.

What was the role of the Federalists during the War of 1812?

They generally opposed the war and expressed their grievances during the Hartford Convention.

What event concluded the War of 1812?

The Treaty of Ghent, which restored the status quo without territorial changes.

How did the Louisiana Purchase impact American expansion?

It provided a powerful impetus for westward expansion and solidified U.S. claims in North America.

What was a major consequence of the Embargo Act?

It backfired on the U.S. economy and resulted in increased opposition and smuggling.

What was significant about the 1830s concerning Native Americans?

The Indian Removal Act led to the forced migration known as the Trail of Tears.

What ideas did Ralph Waldo Emerson promote in Transcendentalism?

Individualism and a deep appreciation for nature.

What was the primary goal of Henry Clay's American System?

To create a self-sufficient American economy through protective tariffs and infrastructure improvements.