History Quiz #4

Father Miguel Hidalgo

Miguel Hidalgo (1753-1811) was a Mexican Catholic priest and professor. He served in the Parish of Dolores. He delivered the historic “Cry of Dolores” urging people to rise up against Spanish rule. This led to the Mexican War of independence where Hidalgo led an army of peasants.

Simon De Bolivar

He was born July 24, 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela to a wealthy aristocratic criollo family. His family owned slaves, mines, and plantation. Simon led many countries to revolution. He liberated six independent nations from Spanish rule in South America: Venezuela, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia.

Monroe Doctrine

It was written in 1823 and told Europeans to stay out of Western Hemisphere. It is the U.S. sphere of influence, but it was also done in conjunction with Britain (since it was more than the U.S. military could chew at that time, relied on British Navy). South American countries were not consulted.

Erie Canal

Construction for this canal began in 1817 and ended in 1825. This canal runs through upstate New York. Irish labor was essential for building this canal (as well as other canals). It paid for itself in tolls in 10 years. After this canal was open, it led to canal mania.

Lowell, MA

The textile factory town was constructed in 1823, and it was the first factory town. Wealthy Boston merchants built many factories here. There was a canal around that powered the factories. The first workers were primarily women that were oftentimes daughters of farmers.

10 Hour Day Movement

In 1828, the Workingmen’s party was founded in Philadelphia. They advocated for 10 hour workdays as well as many other things. Around this time was when the first unions and strikes occurred. Working conditions in factories were very harsh, and people wanted to reduce the standard work day to 10 hours.

Second Great Awakening

This movement was one result of canal country, and it peaked in the 1830’s. It was a very democratic and diverse religious movement. Many new Christian denominations started from this movement like the Mormons. Spiritualists, communes, and cults also formed from this movement.

Sojourner Truth

She was born into slavery in Swartekill, NY 1797. She was given the the name Isabella Baumfree. She escaped to freedom in 1826 with her infant daughter. She was also the first Black women to win a court case against a White man (1828) after her son was illegally sold to Alabama. She adopted the name Sojourner Truth after feeling a religious calling to travel and preach the truth. She gave her famous “Ain’t I a Women” speech in Akron, Ohio 1851.

First Seminole War

It happened during 1817-1818. Madison and Calhoun gave Jackson vague orders to stop seminole border raids. Jackson takes it further than imagined, and he marches down to Florida. He burned villages along the way, re-enslaved escapees, and attacked “Negro Fort.” He also seizes the Spanish fort. Eventually this led to Spain handing over Florida in 1819 (Adam-Onis treaty).

Era of Good Feeling

This era lasted from 1815- 1825. The federalist party collapsed because of the War of 1812. There was no real political division during this time.

Missouri Compromise

The Missouri Compromise happened in 1820. Missouri became a slave state in exchange for Maine becoming a free state. This maintained a balance of free vs slave states in the senate (12:12). It prohibited slavery for the remaining lands of the Louisiana purchase above the 36 30’ N parallel

Corrupt Bargain

The corrupt bargain refers to the political scandal that happened during the presidential election of 1824. Andrew Jackson received the most electoral college votes but there was no majority, so it was decided by the House of Representatives. Henry Clay sides with John Quincy Adams in exchange for secretary of state appointment. Then John Quincy Adams became president, and Jackson was not happy about it.

The Cotton Gin

Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793 and received the US patent March 14, 1794. This invention was revolutionary because it separated the seed of the cotton from the fibers. After this, cotton production began to expand. The push for cotton was one reason for the Indian removal acts because they wanted to expand westward to get more cotton.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

They wanted to expand slavery and cotton production. In order to do this, they needed to remove the indigenous people from their land. This act won in the senate 28 to 19. Oklahoma becomes the main destination for Indians during the trail of tears.

Nullification Crisis

In 1828 a tariff passed which upset the Southern states. Vice President Calhoun wrote anonymously that states had power to nullify the tariff. At a dinner honoring Jefferson, Calhoun toasts to state rights thinking Jackson would agree, but he did not. South Carolina threatened to nullify (1832), but Jackson threatened to send federal force. Then in 1833, congress pass the Force Bill which backed up Jackson’s threat.

The Bank War

The first national bank expired in 1811 but was then re-chartered for another 20 years in 1816; It was set to expire in 1836. Director Biddle and Jackson spark fight early in early renewal for the charter. Jackson vetoes the recharter in 1832. Jackson then wins the reelection, and he begins to withdraw federal deposits and places money into state “Pet Banks.” Biddle tries to retaliate but further weakens the Bank. In 1836, there is no longer and official National Bank. This conflict was the last straw for many with Jackson which leads the the Whig party forming.

Panic of 1837

Jackson passes an executive order on July 11, 1836 that says federal lands have to be paid for by Gold or Silver (no banks notes). This leads to the panic of 1837. This was an especially rough time for people (comparable to the great depression), and there was an economic collapse.