Unit 4 Terms

Louisiana Purchase

A significant land acquisition made by the United States from France in 1803, where the U.S. acquired approximately 827,000 square miles of territory west of the Mississippi River for $15 million.

This purchase doubled the size of the United States and played a crucial role in its westward expansion and development.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark Supreme Court case from 1803 that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to strike down laws and executive actions deemed unconstitutional.

This case marked a pivotal moment in the relationship between the judiciary and the other branches of government, significantly shaping the role of the Supreme Court in American political life.

John Marshall

The fourth Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1835.

He played a crucial role in establishing the Supreme Court's authority and shaping the American legal system, significantly influencing the balance of power between federal and state governments during the early years of the nation.

Impressment

The practice of forcibly recruiting individuals into military service, particularly naval forces, often without their consent, notably used by the British Royal Navy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

It led to significant tensions with the United States as American sailors were captured and forced to serve on British ships.

Chesapeake Affair

A significant naval conflict between the United States and Great Britain that occurred when the British warship attacked the American frigate off the coast of Virginia.

This incident heightened tensions between the two nations, leading to increased anti-British sentiment in America and contributing to the eventual War of 1812.

Embargo Act 1807

A law passed by the United States Congress that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations. This act aimed to protect American interests and avoid conflict, particularly with Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars.

It ultimately led to significant economic distress and resentment among American merchants and citizens.

Tecumseh

Shawnee chief who organized a confederacy of Native American tribes to resist U.S. westward expansion in the early 19th century, leading to war and his alliance with the British during the War of 1812, ultimately fighting against the Americans until his death.

Signified native tensions that remained after the revolution.

Battle of Tippecanoe

A conflict fought between American forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison and Native American warriors associated with Shawnee leader Tecumseh on November 7, 1811.

This battle was crucial in the context of rising tensions between American settlers and Native Americans, as well as the broader issues of expansionism and national identity in early 19th century America.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who aggressively pushed for war against Britain in the years leading up to the War of 1812, believing that military action was necessary to defend American honor.

Hartford Convention

A series of meetings held in late 1814 and early 1815 where New England Federalists gathered to discuss their grievances regarding the War of 1812 and the perceived overreach of federal power.

This event highlighted the growing divide between regional interests and national policies, particularly in the context of the federal government's handling of the war and trade restrictions that negatively affected New England's economy.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1819 that established the principles of federalism and the supremacy of federal law over state law.

This decision arose when the state of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of the United States, leading to a significant ruling that reinforced the power of the federal government and its ability to create institutions necessary for executing its powers.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

A landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1824 that clarified the scope of Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce. The case arose when the state of New York attempted to grant a monopoly over steamboat navigation on its waters, which conflicted with federal licensing granted to Gibbons.

This ruling emphasized the supremacy of federal law over state law and established a broader interpretation of the commerce clause, which significantly influenced the rise of political parties and shaped economic practices during the Era of Jefferson.

Era of Good Feelings

The period in American history from roughly 1817 to 1825, characterized by a sense of national unity and political harmony following the War of 1812.

This era is marked by the decline of partisan conflicts, especially after the Federalist Party diminished, leading to the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party and the fostering of national pride amidst economic growth and territorial expansion.

Clay’s American System

An economic plan that aimed to strengthen the national economy through a series of interconnected measures, including a national bank, protective tariffs, and internal improvements such as roads and canals.

This system was designed to promote national unity and economic growth while facilitating westward expansion by improving transportation and communication networks.

Adams-Onis Treaty

Also known as the Transcontinental Treaty, was an 1819 agreement between the United States and Spain that ceded Florida to the U.S. and defined the boundary between the two nations.

This treaty not only resolved longstanding territorial disputes but also highlighted the growing U.S. influence in North America and set the stage for westward expansion.

Nativism

The political and social ideology that favors the interests of native inhabitants over those of immigrants.

This concept often emerges in response to significant immigration waves, leading to a preference for established residents and a suspicion or hostility toward newcomers.

Lowell (Waltham) System

A labor and production model that emerged in the early 19th century, primarily associated with textile mills in Massachusetts, notable for employing young women, known as 'Mill Girls,' who worked under strict conditions and were provided with housing, education, and social opportunities.

It represented a significant shift in labor practices during the Market Revolution, highlighting both the industrialization of America and the changing roles of women in society.

Monroe Doctrine

U.S. foreign policy statement made by President in 1823 that warned European nations against further colonization and intervention in the Americas.

This doctrine established the Western Hemisphere as a sphere of American influence and marked a turning point in U.S. foreign relations.

Tariff of 1816

The first explicitly protective tariff in the United States, enacted after the War of 1812 to shield American industries from cheaper foreign goods, primarily through a 20-25% tax on imported textiles.

This protectionist measure aimed to foster domestic manufacturing but became a sectional issue, benefiting the industrial North while causing opposition in the agrarian South.  

Erie Canal

A man-made waterway that connects the Hudson River with Lake Erie, completed in 1825.

It played a crucial role in the Market Revolution by significantly reducing transportation costs and time for goods, thereby facilitating trade and economic growth in the northern states.

Missouri Compromise

An agreement made in 1820 that aimed to balance the power between slave and free states in the United States.

It allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state while Maine entered as a free state, and it established a line at latitude 36°30' north of which slavery was prohibited in the Louisiana Territory, highlighting the growing sectional tensions over slavery.

Panic of 1819

First major financial crisis in the United States, characterized by widespread economic downturn, bank failures, and high unemployment.

This crisis marked a significant turning point in the U.S. economy and revealed the vulnerabilities of a growing nation, impacting politics and regional interests as different areas faced unique challenges.

Market Revolution

The transformation of the American economy in the early 19th century, characterized by a shift from subsistence farming to a more market-oriented agricultural and industrial economy.

This period saw advancements in transportation, communication, and technology, which connected regional markets and expanded the national economy.