APUSH chapter 8 and 9

James Monroe’s Presidency (1815-1825)

Known as the "Era of Good Feelings"; period of national unity after the War of 1812 with only one major political party (Democratic-Republicans).

Adams Onís Treaty (1819)

Agreement in which Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. and set the boundary between the U.S. and New Spain (Texas).

Growing Sectionalism

Increasing division between the North, South, and West over issues like slavery, tariffs, and economic policy.

Tallmadge Amendment (1819)

Proposed that Missouri’s admission as a state should include gradual emancipation of slaves; rejected by the Senate.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Missouri entered as a slave state and Maine as a free state; slavery banned north of 36°30′ latitude line in the Louisiana Territory.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Declared the Western Hemisphere closed to European colonization; warned Europe not to interfere in the Americas.

The Marshall Supreme Court

Led by Chief Justice John Marshall; strengthened the federal government’s power and promoted national unity.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Upheld the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the U.S.; established that states could not tax federal institutions.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Ruled that the federal government controls interstate commerce, limiting state powers.

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

Protected private contracts and charters from state interference; supported business interests.

John Quincy Adams’s Presidency (1825-1829)

Faced opposition from Jackson’s supporters; promoted internal improvements and a national university but lacked popular support.

Election of 1824

Four-way race (Adams, Jackson, Clay, Crawford); no one won a majority in the Electoral College.

Electoral College

System used to formally elect the president; in 1824, it sent the election to the House of Representatives.

“Corrupt Bargain” (1824)

Accusation that Henry Clay helped Adams win the presidency in exchange for becoming Secretary of State.

Henry Clay’s “American System”

Economic plan for federal funding of roads, canals, and a national bank to promote economic growth and unity.

Tariff of 1828 (“Tariff of Abominations”)

High protective tariff that angered the South; increased sectional tensions.

Andrew Jackson’s Presidency (1829-1837)

Expanded presidential power, championed the “common man,” and used the veto more than previous presidents.

Election of 1828

Marked the rise of mass politics and the Democratic Party; Jackson defeated John Quincy Adams.

Spoils System

Practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs.

Tariff of Abominations

Nickname for the 1828 tariff; seen by Southerners as unfairly benefiting Northern industry.

Tariff of 1832

Reduced rates slightly but failed to satisfy Southern opposition to tariffs.

John C. Calhoun’s Nullification Idea

Argued that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.

Nullification Compromise (1833)

Henry Clay’s compromise gradually lowered tariffs to end the Nullification Crisis.

Jackson’s War Against the Bank of the U.S.

Jackson vetoed recharter of the Second Bank, seeing it as a tool for the rich and a threat to democracy.

Why Jackson Hated Banks

Believed they favored elites, were corrupt, and had too much influence over the economy.

Hard vs. Soft Money

Hard money (gold/silver) supporters opposed paper currency; soft money supporters favored easy credit and paper money.

Re-chartering of the Bank

The process of renewing the charter of the Second Bank of the United States, which Jackson opposed due to its perceived threat to democracy and favoritism towards the wealthy.

Nicholas Biddle

President of the Second Bank of the U.S.; clashed with Jackson over control of national finance.

Removal of Native Americans

Jackson’s policy to relocate eastern tribes west of the Mississippi to open land for white settlers.

Five Civilized Tribes

Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole tribes—adopted aspects of European culture.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Law authorizing the forced relocation of Native tribes to lands west of the Mississippi River.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Supreme Court ruled the Cherokee Nation was sovereign; Georgia laws had no force there (Jackson ignored it).

Trail of Tears (1838)

Forced march of Cherokee people to Indian Territory; thousands died from disease, exposure, and starvation.

Martin Van Buren’s Presidency (1837-1841)

Jackson’s successor; his term was dominated by the Panic of 1837 and economic depression.

Election of 1836

Van Buren (Democrat) defeated multiple Whig candidates due to divided opposition.

Democrats vs. Whigs

Democrats favored limited government and states’ rights; Whigs supported strong federal action and reform.

Why Martin Van Buren Won

Benefited from Jackson’s popularity and party organization; Whigs lacked a unified candidate.

Specie Circular (1836)

Jackson ordered that public land be bought with gold or silver; reduced credit and helped cause the Panic of 1837.

Panic of 1837

Economic depression caused by bank failures, inflation, and the Specie Circular.

William Henry Harrison’s Presidency (1841)

Whig candidate; won the “Log Cabin Campaign” but died one month after taking office.

John Tyler’s Presidency (1841

Vice president who became president after Harrison’s death; clashed with Whigs over policy.

Why the Whigs Hated John Tyler

Tyler vetoed Whig legislation like a new national bank; expelled from the party.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)

Settled U.S.–Canada border disputes and improved U.S.–British relations.