Ch. 10.2 | Antebellum America: 1800-1848 Unit 4

pg. 367-379

Monroe Doctrine

President James Monroe’s declaration to Congress (December 2, 1823) stating that Europe cannot colonize the Americas, and in return the United States will not interfere with European affairs.

Corrupt Bargain

Bartering (exchanging/trading for) critical votes in presidential contest for a public office.

John Quincy Adams

1824 elected president, 6th president of the U.S. Promoted agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and “the mechanical and elegant arts.” Plans included establishing a national university, an astronomical observatory, and a naval academy. His administration spent more on internal improvement than his five predecessors combined.

Martin Van Buren

Senator from New York. Insisted political parties as necessary and desirable element of political life; it kept a check on those in power + national political parties formed a bond of unity in a divided nation.

Andrew Jackson

1828 elected as the 7th president. Vision of democracy excluded any role of Indians, believed African-Americans should remain as slaved, or be free and sent abroad. Despite being rich, he had great suspicion of banks and paper money, thought the market revolution was a source of moral decay rather than progress (like what Henry David Thoreau thought)

Party machines

Lead by professional politicians, they provided benefits like jobs and ensured that voters went to the polls on election day. The functionaries were rewarded with political offices.

Spoils System

Meaning the filling of federal government jobs with persons loyal to the party of the president; originated in Andrew Jackson’s first term. Resulted in “loyalty to the party” as the main qualification for federal jobs.

Nonproducers

Didn’t make anything out of their craft; rather, they exchanged items.

Producers

They made something out of their craft: farmers, artisans, and laborers.