APUSH Period 4 Vocab

Revolution of 1800

In 1800, Two Democratic-Republicans Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr defeated Federalist John Adams, but tied with each other. The final decision went to the House of Representatives, where Jefferson was finally chosen as president. Burr became vice-president. This led to the 12th Amendment, which requires the president and VP to run on the same ticket. Jefferson’s election changed the direction of the government from Federalist to Democratic-Republican, so it was called a revolution.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd President of US. He believed in a less aristocratic presidency. He wanted to reduce federal spending and government interference in everyday life. He was a Democratic-Republican so he believed in strict interpretation of the Constitution. Inaugural address, “We are all Federalists, we are all Republicans.”

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Resulted from controversy over Adams midnight judges. No ruling is made on midnight judges but significance of this case is that Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall established the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review, which allows the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional. 

John Marshall

Justice Marshall was a Federalist whose decisions on the US Supreme Court promoted federal power over state power and established the judiciary as a branch of government equal to the legislative and executive. 

Cohens v. Virginia (1821)

Marshall asserted the right of the Supreme Court to review decisions made by state supreme courts. More power to the federal government.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

John Marshall declared the bank of the United States constitutional and said that states had no right to tax or otherwise try to destroy the bank. The Bank was much more popular in the North than the South and West and some states were trying to weaken or destroy it in their states. 

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

The ruling reasserted that Congress had the sole power to regulate interstate commerce.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

The US purchased the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains from Napoleon for $15 million. Jefferson was interested in the territory because it would give the US the Mississippi River and New Orleans (both were valuable for trade and shipping) and also room to expand. The Constitution did not give the federal government the power to buy land, so Jefferson used loose construction to justify the purchase which is contrary to his politics. Explored by Lewis and Clark.

Embargo Act (1807)

Jefferson cuts off American exports to the rest of the world to punish Britain and France for interfering in American trade. Unintended consequence is a downturn in American economy. Embargo Act is strongly opposed in New England and depicted as “O-Grab-Me” in political cartoons in opposition to the Act.

James Madison

4th President of US. “Father of the Constitution” His proposals for an effective government became the Virginia Plan, which was the basis for the Constitution. He was responsible for most of the language of the Constitution, author of Federalist Papers, and adding Bill of Rights. Leader of Democratic-Republicans.

War of 1812

A war between the US and Great Britain caused by American outrage over the impressment of American sailors, the British seizure of American ships, and British aid to the Indians attacking the Americans on the western frontier. The British managed to invade and burn Washington DC. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war. Two weeks later, Andrew Jackson’s troops defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans, not knowing that a peace treaty had already been signed. The war strengthened American nationalism and encouraged the growth of industry.

Hartford Convention

A meeting of New England merchants who opposed the Embargo and the War of 1812. They proposed some Amendments to the Constitution and advocated the right of states to nullify federal laws. They also discussed the idea of seceding from the US if their desires were ignored. The Hartford Convention turned public sentiment against the Federalists and led to the demise of the party. 

Tecumseh

A Shawnee Chief who, along with his brother, a religious leader known as The Prophet, worked to unite the Northwestern Indian Tribes. The league of tribes was defeated by an American army led by William Henry Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. Tecumseh was killed fighting for the British during the War of 1812 at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.  

Era of Good Feelings

A name for President James Monroe’s two terms, a period of strong nationalism, economic growth, and territorial expansion. Since the Federalist Party dissolved after the War of 1812, there was only one political party and no partisan conflicts. Sectionalism still did exist over slavery. 

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

Declared that Europe should not interfere in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere and that any attempt at interference by a European power would be seen as a threat to the US. It also declared that a New World colony which has gained independence may not be re-colonized by Europe. Actually written by secretary of State John Quincy Adams during the Monroe administrations. 

Missouri Compromise

Also called Compromise of 1820. Admitted Missouri as a slave state and at the same time admitted Maine as a free state. Declared that all territory North of the 36°30” latitude would become free states, and all territory south of that latitiude would become slave states. Created by Henry Clay (The Great Compromise)

King Cotton

Expression used by Southern authors and orators before the Civil War to indicate the economic dominance of the Southern cotton industry, and that the North needed the South’s cotton. In a speech to the Senate in 1858, James Hammond declared, “You daren’t make war against cotton!…Cotton is King!”

Fredrick Douglas

A self-educated slave who escaped in 1838, Douglas became the best-known abolitionist speaker. He edited an anti-slavery newspaper, the North Star.

Second Great Awakening

A series of religious revivals starting in 1801, that stressed a religious philosophy of salvation through good deeds and tolerance for all Protestant sects. The revivals attracted women and African-Americans. Also inspired social reform movements such as abolition, temperance, and prison reform. Charles Finney the most notable of the Second Great Awakening preachers. 

Harriet Tubman

A former escaped slave, she helped slaves escape the South through a secret network of hiding places called the Underground Railroad, leading 60-70 slaves to freedom.

Denmark Vesey Confederation (1822)

Attempted slave revolt in which rebels planned to seize control of Charleston S.C. and escape to freedom In Haiti, a free black republic, but they were betrayed by other slaves, and seventy-five conspirators were executed.

Nat Turner (1831)

Slave uprising. A group of 60 slaves led by Nat Turner killed almost 60 Whites in Virginia. As a result, slave states strengthened measures against slaves and became more united in their support of fugitive slave laws. Southern states also strengthened black codes and restricted Northern abolitionist newspapers. 

David Walker

David Walker was a free black man who published his Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World in 1829, advocating a black rebellion to crush slavery. The purpose of Walker’s Appeal was to remind his people that they were Americans and should be treated fairly. 

William Lloyd Garrison

A militant abolitionist, editor of Boston newspaper, The Liberator, which gained national fame due to his inflammatory language, attacking everything from slave holders to moderate abolitionists, and advocating northern secession. 

Gag Rule

Strict rule passed by pro-southern Congressman in 1836 to prohibit all discussion of slavery in the House of Representatives

Hinton Helper

Book titled ‘Impending Crisis of the South’ that stirred trouble. Attempted to prove that indirectly the non-slave holding whites were the ones who suffered the most from slavery.

The Corrupt Bargain

The charge made by Jackson supporters that John Quincy Adams had stolen the 1824 election by promising Henry Clay Secretary of State in return for Clay getting the House to award the presidency to Adams. Marks the end of the “Era of Good Feeling”

Henry Clay

Nationalist political leader known as the Great Compromiser (Missouri Compromise, Compromise Tariff of 1833, Compromise of 1850). Proponent of American System and opponent of Andrew Jackson. Leader of Whig Party. 

American System

Proposed by Henry Clay after War of 1812, it included using federal money for internal improvements (roads, bridges, industrial improvements, etc.), enacting a protective tariff to foster the growth of American industries, and strengthening the national bank.

Democratic Party (1828)

Led by Martin Van Buren and Andrew Jackson. Party of the common man. Strongly support state’s rights, slavery, and is more popular in the South and West. 

Revolution of 1828

Jackson was the first non-aristocrat to be elected president. Jackson’s election was the revolution of the “Common Man” meaning that he felt government should be run by common people. Almost all white men could now vote, and the increased voting rights allowed Jackson to be elected because of his popularity with the masses. Begins “Age of Jackson” 

Nullification Crisis

Led by John C. Calhoun South Carolina declared the federal tariff null and void and refused to collect the tariff in the state. They threatened to secede from the Union if forced to collect it. Jackson threatens to invade South Carolina. Compromise ends crisis.

Native Civilized Tribes

Adopted many white ways to be accepted in U.S. including intermarriage with whites, slave based plantations, speaking English, and practicing Christianity. Cherokee in Georgia are an example. 

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Allowed state officials to override Federal protection of Native Americans and allocated funds for their removal. Resulted in forced removal of Cherokee to the West known as Trail of Tears. John Marshall and Supreme Court made rulings in favor of Native Americans (Worcester v. Georgia) but could not stop Jackson

Bank War

Despite John Marshall ruling the Bank of U.S. was constitutional in the case of McCulloh v. Maryland; President Jackson voted the bill to re-charter the bank saying he believed it was unconstitutional. Jackson then removes federal money from the B.U.S and placed it in dozens of state banks (“pet banks”) killing the Bank.

Panic of 1837

When Jackson was president, many state banks received government money that had been withdrawn from the Bank of the US. These banks issues paper money and financed wild speculation, especially in federal lands. Jackson issued the Specie Circular to force the payment for federal lands with gold or silver. Many state banks collapsed as a result. A panic ensued (1837). Bank of the US failed, cotton prices fell, businesses went bankrupt, and there was widespread unemployment and distress. 

Whig Party

Led by John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay in opposition to the policies of Andrew Jackson. Generally, more of a nationalist party with strong support for the Bank of US and tariffs and less supportive of slavery. More popular in the North.

Transportation Revolution

A period of rapid growth in the speed and convenience of travel. Use of gravel roads, canals, steamboats, and railroads expanded.

National Road (Cumberland Road)

The first highway built by the federal government. Constructed 1811-1837, it stretched from Pennsylvania to Illinois. It was a major overland shipping route and an important connection between the Northeast and West. 

Erie Canal

The Erie canal was opened as a toll waterway connecting New York to the Great Lakes. the canal was completed in 1825 with the support of New York’s Governor, Dewitt Clinton. Along with the Cumberland Road, it helped connect the Northeast and West

Market Revolution

1- Rapid improvement in transportation: roads, canals, steamboats, early railroads

2- Commercialization: production of goods for a cash market

3- Industrialization: use of power driven machinery to produce goods

4- Communication: Samuel Morse telegraph

Samuel Slater

Slater becomes the father of American industry after he memorizes the designs of the British cotton spinning factory while serving as an apprentice and brings the designs to America to start his own cotton mill. 

Lowell Factory System

Developed in the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, in the 1820s, in these factories as much machinery as possible was used, so that few skilled workers were needed in the process, and the workers were almost all single young farm women that were paid less than men. 

Eli Whitney

Pioneered an American industrial technology of interchangeable parts. An entire product would no longer need to be replaced because of one bad part. Became known as American System of Manufacture by the British. Also invented the Cotton Gin. 

Mechanical Reaper

Cyrus McCormick invents the mechanical reaper in 1831 which allows farmers to harvest their grain quicker. Shows how industry impacts agriculture.

Cult of Domesticity

Widespread cultural creed that glorified the customary functions of women as the homemaker.

Transcendentalism

The theory urged people to be self-reliant, nonconforming, and non-egotistical. The most notable transcendentalists are Ralph Waldo Emerson (Self-Reliance) and Henry David Thoreau (Walden). 

British Immigration

Irish potato famine led millions of Irish immigrants to settle in Boston and New York City and anti-Irish backlash. They worked low paying jobs, lived in miserable conditions, and faced discrimination for being Catholic. Example of contradiction of “Old Immigrants” from western Europe being welcomed by Americans. 

Nativism

Native born Americans alarmed by the influx of immigrants (German, Irish) fearing immigrants would take their jobs and destroy their culture. 

American Party (Know Nothings)

Made up of Nativists. They were anti-foreigner and anti-Catholic and adopted the slogan “American’s must rule America!” Often called the Know-Nothing Party.

Social Reform Movement

Reformers that were inspired by the Second Great Awakening to improve society. led by middle class women that pursued temperance, abolition, and women’s rights.

Dorthea Dix

Launched crusade to improve treatment of the mentally ill. Mental patients began receiving professional treatment.

Horace Mann

Leading advocate of the common (public) school movement. Worked towards mandatory schooling for all children, a longer school year, and better training of teachers.

American Temperance Society

Was established in 1826. Within ten years there were 8,000 local chapters in the US with 1.5 million members who had taken a pledge to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages. led by Lyman Beecher. 

American Colonization Society

Formed in 1817, it purchased a tractor of land in Liberia and returned free Blacks to Africa.

Seneca Falls Convention

Organized by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in 1848, this convention adopted resolutions for women’s rights. Among those adopted were a demand for women’s suffrage and a reduction of sexual discrimination in education and employment. Issued the Declaration of Sentiments modeled after the Declaration of Independence. 

Utopian Communities

Idealistic and impractical communities. Who, rather than seeking to create an ideal government or reform the world, withdrew from the sinful, corrupt world, and formed their own communities. 

Oneida Community

Joseph Humphrey-Noyes founded the group and the beliefs of the society. A group of socioreligious perfectionists who lived in New York. Practiced polygamy, communal property, and communal raising of children. 

Mormons

New religion established by Joseph Smith in 1830. Mormons targeted by outsiders because of their practice of Polygamy (multiple wives). Brigham Young leads believers to safety and established a successful community near the Great Salt Lake in present day Utah.