Early 19th Century U.S. History

Flashcards for key concepts and figures in early 19th century U.S. history.

Revolution of 1800

Peaceful transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans after Thomas Jefferson won the election.

Judiciary Act of 1801

Law passed by Federalists creating new courts and judgeships to maintain influence.

Midnight Judges

Federalist judges appointed by John Adams in his final days in office.

Marbury v. Madison

Supreme Court case led by John Marshall that established judicial review.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 land deal where the U.S. bought territory from Napoleon, doubling its size.

Orders in Council

British rules limiting neutral trade with France during the Napoleonic Wars.

Impressment

British practice of forcing American sailors into the Royal Navy.

Chesapeake Affair

1807 incident where a British ship attacked the U.S. ship Chesapeake.

Embargo Act

Law by Thomas Jefferson stopping U.S. trade to avoid war, which hurt the economy.

Non-Intercourse Act

Replaced the Embargo Act; allowed trade with all nations except Britain and France.

Macon’s Bill No. 2

Reopened trade with Britain and France; promised to stop trade with one if the other respected U.S. neutrality.

War Hawks

Young members of Congress who pushed for war against Britain, including Henry Clay.

Battle of Tippecanoe

1811 battle where U.S. forces defeated Native Americans led by Tecumseh’s group.

War of 1812

War between the U.S. and Britain caused by trade issues and impressment.

Battle of New Orleans

1815 battle where Andrew Jackson defeated the British after the war had officially ended.

Congress of Vienna

Meeting of European nations to restore order after Napoleon’s defeat.

Treaty of Ghent

1814 treaty that ended the War of 1812 with no major territorial changes.

Hartford Convention

Meeting of New England Federalists opposing the War of 1812.

Rush-Bagot Agreement

1817 agreement between U.S. and Britain limiting naval forces on the Great Lakes.

American System

Henry Clay's plan for economic growth using tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements.

Era of Good Feelings

Time of national unity during James Monroe's presidency.

Panic of 1819

First major U.S. economic depression caused by bank failures and debt.

Tallmadge Amendment

Proposal to limit slavery in Missouri; increased tensions.

Peculiar Institution

Term used to describe slavery in the South.

Missouri Compromise

Agreement allowing Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, banning slavery north of 36°30′.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Supreme Court case confirming federal power over states and upholding the national bank.

Cohens v. Virginia

Case affirming the Supreme Court's power to review state court decisions.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Case giving Congress power to regulate interstate commerce.

Fletcher v. Peck

Case protecting contracts from state interference.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward

Case protecting private contracts and limiting state control over businesses.

Adams-Onís Treaty

1819 treaty where Spain gave Florida to the U.S.

Monroe Doctrine

Policy by James Monroe warning Europe not to colonize in the Americas.

Russo-American Treaty

1824 treaty limiting Russian claims in North America.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd U.S. president; led Democratic-Republicans and made the Louisiana Purchase.

Sally Hemings

Enslaved woman owned by Thomas Jefferson; believed to have had children with him.

Albert Gallatin

Secretary of the Treasury under Jefferson who reduced national debt.

John Marshall

Chief Justice who strengthened the power of the Supreme Court.

Samuel Chase

Supreme Court justice impeached but not removed, showing judicial independence.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French leader who sold Louisiana to the U.S.

Robert Livingston

U.S. diplomat who helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

Leader of the Haitian Revolution.

Lewis and Clark

Explorers sent by Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory.

Aaron Burr

Vice president who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

James Wilkinson

U.S. general involved in a questionable plot with Aaron Burr.

James Madison

4th U.S. president who led the country during the War of 1812.

Tecumseh and The Prophet

Native American leaders who tried to unite tribes against U.S. expansion.

Oliver Hazard Perry

Naval commander who won a key victory on Lake Erie in the War of 1812.

Thomas Macdonough

Naval officer who won the Battle of Lake Champlain.

Francis Scott Key

Wrote 'The Star-Spangled Banner' during the War of 1812.

James Monroe

5th U.S. president during the Era of Good Feelings.

George Canning

British foreign minister who supported the Monroe Doctrine.

John Quincy Adams

Secretary of State who helped create the Monroe Doctrine and later became president.