Unit 4: The Meaning of Democracy in an Era of Economic and Territorial Expansion

The Election of 1800 / Revolution of 1800

Pitted Democratic Republicans, Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, against Federalist, John Adams.

Federalist POV for the Election of 1800

Strong central government and a thriving manufacturing sector.

Democratic Republican POV for the Election of 1800

Agrian republic centered on the values of a farmer.

Jefferson’s Bipartisan Presidency

Maintaining peace by keeping Hamilton’s financial plan and kept Democratic Republicans happy by reducing the size of the federal government.

Why Was Jefferson Scared of the Louisiana Purchase?

Jefferson worried this would violate his strict interpretation of the Constitution, but adopted a looser one to grant more land to farmers and benefit the country.

Why Did Jefferson Want Louisiana?

Spanish closed the port to the Americans, and Jefferson worried about foreign interference. 

Louisiana Purchase Effects on Westward Expansion

Gained the Mississippi port, doubled the size of the US, foreign policy success

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, the Supreme Court can rule any law made by Congress unconstitutional

John Marshall

Supreme Court judge responsible for establishing the Supreme Court’s rule in the federal government

Barbary Pirates

North - African pirates raided US merchant ships due to lack of protection from the Barbary government

Chesapeake - Leopard Affair (1807)

British warship attacked an American warship off the US Coast

Embargo Act (1807)

Controversial decision that prohibited American merchant ships from sailing to any foreign port.

Non - Intercourse Act of 1809

US law that lifted the Embargo Act and reopened trade with all nations except Great Britain and France, but still allowed ships to be hijacked

Macon’s Bill No2 (1810)

Gave the US the right to trade with France and Great Britain if they respected US neutrality, but failed and European powers continued to seize US merchant ships

War of 1812

Between US and Great Britain because the British continued to seize US ships and soldiers. 

War Hawks

Western and southern nationalists who urged war to acquire British Canada and Spanish Florida. 

Division Among Congress

Deepened sectionalism because New England voted against war except for Pennsylvania and Vermont. 

Battle of New Orleans (1815)

Between Great Britain and volunteer US troops under the command of Andrew Jackson, allowing him to gain popularity

Burning of the White House (1814)

British force occupied Washington DC and set buildings on fire after the US lost the Battle of Bladensburg.

The Hartford Convention (1814)

Convention of New England merchants who opposed the War of 1812, discussing that they would leave the union and led to the demise of the Federalist party

The Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Ended the War of 1812 and restored the status quo, no loses or gains for either side.

Nationalist Impact from the War of 1812

Noted as the “Second War for American Independence”, driving American nationalism, neutrality, and independence

Lasting Legacy of the War of 1812

Gained the respect of other nations, diminishment of the Federalist party, natives forced to give up land, New England became self sufficient driving industrialization, Manifest Destiny

The Era of Good Feelings (1816-1819)

James Monroe was president and the era was nicknamed due to a spirit of optimism, nationalism, and goodwill

Cultural Nationalism during the Era of Good Feelings

New, younger generation of people who were less involved with Europe and more concerned with westward expansion.

Tariff of 1816

Protective tariff meant to protect US manufacturers from foreign competition.

Oregon Trail (1812-1840)

Missouri to Oregon territory, largest mass migration in American history

Henry Clay

Nicknamed the Great Compromiser / Pacifier, important US politician and made the Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850, American System, and Second National Bank

Clay’s American System

Three part economic plan: protective tariff, second national bank, internal improvements/infrastructure

McCulloch v Maryland (1819)

Maryland wanted to impose taxes on the Second National Bank and called it unconstitutional, Supreme Court decided that federal law trumps state law when the two contradict.

Gibbons v Ogden (1824)

Aaron Ogden held an NY state monopoly and Thomas Gibbons operated a competing service under federal license, Ogden sued Gibbons and won, but it was overturned as the Supreme Court decided that federal law overrides state law. This increased federal power because it clarified state commerce and expanded power at the expense of state government.

Panic of 1819

First major financial crisis in the US due to the failure of the Second Bank, opposition to a national bank increased.

The Market Revolution (1820s - 1830s)

Transformation of the US economy because north industries were linked with south/west farms through advancements in transportation.

Effects of the Market Revolution

Rapid industrialization, development of modern capitalism, migration to the northeast, social mobility

Population Growth and Migration During the Market Revolution

Americans begin to migrate north and west to move to cities, immigration from struggling countries provided unskilled and skilled laborers. 

Women’s role in society during the Market Revolution

Middle class stayed home and were involved in reform movements, while the lower class worked in factories/unskilled labor

Nativism

The idea of favoring the interests of native-born/ long term US residents at the expense of others. Limiting immigration, concerns about national identity and culture, threats to job market, and scapegoating immigrants. 

Erie Canal (NY)

Linked western farms and northeastern cities. Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland thrived as they became booming trade centers.

National Road / Cumberland Road (MD-IL)

First road that interconnected the country for trade that was fully paved.

Railroads

Local and state governments granted railroad companies loans and tax breaks to continue their construction.

Interchangeable Parts

Created by Eli Whitney, allowed for the manufacturing of parts that are identical/ substituted for a product system. Revolutionized manufacturing with mass production with unskilled laborers and products are cheaper to buy/sell.

Growth of Industry during Market Revolution

Factories started to boom in NY, NJ, and PA as immigrants take factory jobs, child labor increases, and unions begin to form.

Lowell Mill Girls (1840)

Young women who worked in mill factories, paid little, long hours, behavior was monitored, and lived together. 

Growth of Commercial Agriculture

Government sold western land for cheap prices and state banks provided farmers with loans and low interest rates. 

Tallmadge Amendnent (1819)

Failed proposal to Missouri’s application for statehood that prohibited the further introduction of slavery, and provided a framework for gradual eradication after 25 years. 

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Proposal by Henry Clay, Missouri was added to the union as a slavery state and Maine was a free state. Banned slavery from the remaining Louisiana Purchase lands located north of the 36’’ 30’’ parallel (Mason Dixon Line)