UNIT 4 APUSH VOCAB

Federalists

Supported a central government that could protect their economic status; these leaders had major political control. Members: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Alexander Hamilton. An early political party.

Thomas Jefferson

3rd President (1801–1809). Authored Declaration of Independence. Led the U.S. through the Tripolitanian War, first foreign conflict, and avoided the Napoleonic Wars. Sometimes followed the Constitution and sometimes (such as with the Louisiana Purchase) had a loose interpretation. For example, he kept many of the hallmarks of the Federalist Era intact (such as Hamilton’s economic system), but he had the citizenship requirement of the Alien Act reduced to five years and abolished the excise tax.

Electoral College:

Group of electors who decides the president and VP. Whichever candidate receives the majority of electoral votes wins. If no candidate receives a majority, the presidential election is thrown to the House. The Senate elects the VP.

Democratic-Republicans:

Original political parties in the US. Opposed the Federalists. Supported states’ rights and favored agrarianism. Members included: Jefferson, Monroe, and Burr. Following the party’s fragmentation during the Era of Good Feelings, the Democratic Party led by Andrew Jackson became dominant.

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father and co-author of the Federalist Papers. Split the Federalist ticket in the Election of 1800, weakening then-President John Adams enough to allow Thomas Jefferson to win.

Louisiana Territory

1803, Jefferson had delegates offer France money to obtain the Port of New Orleans and land around it. Napoleon gave up on the Americas to prioritize funding his conquest of Europe. He offered territory from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. Jefferson reluctantly accepted the proposal in order to achieve his agricultural economic dream, as the Constitution did not provide the POTUS to negotiate for and purchase land from a foreign power.

Pinckney’s Treaty:

The US had enjoyed the right of deposit at the Port of New Orleans under this 1795 treaty with Spain, but in 1798 the Spanish revoked the treaty.

James Monroe:

Fifth President (1817–1825). A Democratic-Republican, he helped secure the Louisiana Purchase. In presidential cabinet during War of 1812. The Era of Good Feelings largely overlaps with his presidency. He dealt with the Panic of 1819 and well as the Missouri Compromise. In 1823, he issued the Monroe Doctrine, a long-lasting foreign policy of the United States.

Lewis & Clark

Explored and charted the Louisiana Purchase.

Judiciary Act of 1801:

Before the Congress was turned over to the majority Democratic-Republicans, the Federalist president John Adams appointed “midnight judges” to serve in Jefferson’s administration. Incensed by the packing of Federalists into lifetime judicial appointments, Jefferson sought to keep these men from taking the bench. This led to the Marbury v. Madison ruling.

James Madison:

Fourth President. Served 1809–1817. A Democratic-Republican, he served as Jefferson’s Secretary of State (1801–1809) and helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. He led the U.S. through the War of 1812. Due to the war’s difficulties, he shifted toward supporting a strong centralized state, a re-chartered national bank, and various internal improvements.

William Marbury:

One of the “midnight judges” appointed by John Adams. Jefferson tried to stop his appointment. So, he sued under the Judiciary Act of 1789, which granted the Supreme Court the authority to enforce judicial commissions. His case resulted in the landmark Marbury v. Madison decision.

Judiciary Act of 1789:

Established the structure of the Judiciary Branch, with the Supreme Court, 13 district courts, and three circuit courts of appeal.

John Marshall:

Founding Father. An early Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Cemented the concept of judicial review, making the judicial branch coequal to the executive and legislative. A Federalist, his rulings reinforced the supremacy of federal law

Writ of mandamus:

A court order to an inferior government official compelling them to carry out their legally obligated duties. Important in the reasoning of the Marbury v. Madison decision.

Marbury v. Madison:

1803 ruling stated Congress cannot pass laws that are against to the Constitution, and that it is the judicial system’s job to interpret what the Constitution permits. Overturned a clause in the Judiciary Act of 1789 that granted the Supreme Court the power to command any subordinate government authority to take or not take an action that is that authority’s legal duty.

Samuel Chase:

A Supreme Court justice. The House impeached him owing to his highly Federalist partisan decisions. The Senate, however, refused to remove him as he wasn’t criminal. Jefferson’s attempt to push Federalist judges out of the system failed, and instead set the precedent that judges are removed only for criminal acts, not political disagreements.

Quids:

A conservative wing of the Democratic-Republican party that wished to restrict the role of the federal government. They were founded in 1805 by John Randolph

Yazoo land scandal:

The Quids stated that President Jefferson’s decision to pay companies restitution for illegally obtained land in Georgia in the mid 1790s proved that he was corrupt. This scandal led to a schism within the Democratic-Republican party that continued to plague Jefferson in his second term.

Embargo Act of 1807:

Passed in response to British and French harassment of American shipping. However, mainly hurt the US as neither nation was dependent on its trade.

Non-Intercourse Act of 1809:

Replaced the unpopular Embargo Act of 1807. This law allowed the US to trade with foreign nations except Britain and France. Like its predecessor, the Embargo Act, it was difficult to enforce and mostly ineffective.

War hawks:

‘Hawk’ is a nickname for pro-war activists. Pro-peace activists are often termed doves. In the specific context of the early nineteenth century, it refers to politicians like Henry Clay and Calhoun who insisted that the War of 1812 would finally clear Britain’s influence from North America.

Henry Clay:

“The Great Compromiser” for brokering multiple deals over nullification and slavery. He was also a proponent of infrastructure development that he called the American System. notably ran for president on several occasions but never won.

John C. Calhoun:

A southern supporter of states’ rights, nullification, and slavery. Served as Andrew Jackson’s VP, resigned from that office to return to the Senate, where he felt he could better defend the virtues of nullification.

William Henry Harrison:

Ninth President. Famously died after 31 days in office in 1841. A hero of the War of 1812, his campaign saw the Whigs campaign to boast his “poor” background. He gave his Inaugural Address on a cold, rainy day and got sick and died.

Tecumseh and the Prophet:

A pair of American Indian brothers led a native confederacy to protest American advancement westward, but lost in a battle against then-governor President Harrison and his men and lost their reputation amongst American Indians.

War of 1812:

Fought 1812–1815. It is the US term for the North American theater of the Napoleonic Wars. Tensions between the US and Britain had been high since the attack on a ship that caused the Embargo Act of 1807. The Monroe administration was pressured into declaring war by Congressional War Hawks. The war went poorly, and nearly led to New England’s secession at the Hartford Convention. British forces burned the White House. However, the US managed not to lose territory before the Treaty of Ghent was signed, and ultimately it caused the patriotic Era of Good Feelings.

Andrew Jackson:

Seventh President. Served 1829–1837. He gained fame for a rare US victory in the War of 1812. advocated for the “common man” against established interests, and supported universal white male suffrage without the property requirement to vote. Pushed for a spoils system to reward supporters, opposed abolitionism, and killed the Second Bank of the United States. He forcefully quashed South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis. Is infamous for creating the Trail of Tears.

Battle of New Orleans

A battle fought between US forces led by Andrew Jackson against British forces. Made to secure port of New Orleans—controlled the flow of traffic along the Mississippi. The battle was a stunning lopsided American victory. Due to the slow speed at which news traveled during this period, the battle actually occurred after the War of 1812 had officially ended.

Treaty of Ghent:

It ended the War of 1812, and was signed by American envoys and British diplomats, 1814. Neither side gained anything or lost anything. Most Americans were pleased because they had expected to lose territory.

Hartford Convention:

1814/15, radical group of northern Federalists demanded the federal government pay them for the loss of trade due to the Embargo Act and the War of 1812. Proposed to limit the POTUS to one term; require a two-thirds vote to enact an embargo, declare war, and admit new states; and repeal the Three-Fifths Compromise. Some suggested secession. However, news of the war’s end and Jackson’s victory at New Orleans swept the nation, resulting in the Federalists being labeled unpatriotic, ending the party.

James Tallmadge:

Proposed an amendment to Missouri’s bid for statehood. After the admission of Missouri as a state, his amendment would not have allowed any more slaves to be brought into the state and would have provided for the emancipation of the children of Missouri slaves at the age of 25 years. Southerners were outraged by this abolition attempt and crushed the amendment in the Senate. This led to the Missouri Compromise.

Missouri Compromise:

Proposed by Henry Clay, it made Missouri a slave state, and to compensate, admite Maine as a free state. This would maintain the balance of power in the Senate. In addition, slavery would not be permitted in states admitted above southern Missouri border. Clay’s compromise earned him the title “the Great Compromiser.” Functionally repealed by Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, but not officially overturned until the Dred Scott v. Sandford of 1857 ruling declared it was unconstitutional.

Era of Good Feelings:

A period of national unity, it began with the close of the War of 1812 and ended in the 1820s. It saw the collapse of the Federalist Party and a decline in partisanship. It was followed by a revival of partisan bickering between the Jacksonian Democrats and the Whigs.

John Quincy Adams:

Sixth President. Served from 1825–1829. Son of John Adams. A member of every major political party at some point. He was elected after striking a deal with Henry Clay in the disputed 1824 election. He became increasingly opposed to slavery, even arguing before the Supreme Court in 1841 on behalf of African slaves in the Amistad case, winning them their freedom. He criticized the Mexican-American War.

Monroe Doctrine:

Proposed by President Monroe, became the basis of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. The doctrine called for “nonintervention” in Latin America and an end to European colonization. The U.S. did not actually have a strong enough military to defend the doctrine if necessary, relied on British navy. It remained firm and adhered to the Doctrine throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Tariff of 1816:

Congress passed this to help domestic manufacturing. First protective tariff in American history. However, the passage of the tariff was unpopular in the South due to its export-oriented agricultural economy. The tariff was allowed to lapse in 1820.

Daniel Webster:

A Whig politician. During the debate over the Tariff of 1816, he complained that New England still relied too much on Britain for trade. He opposed nullification and supported the north and Compromise of 1850.

American System

Proposed by Henry Clay, established manufacturing and brought in revenue for internal improvements: recharter of the Bank of the United States; protective tariffs; and improvements on American infrastructure, such as roads and canals. The South did not support the plan, as plantations made their money on export. Internal improvements also required a stronger federal government, which potentially threatened the South’s control over their slave population.

Second Bank of the United States:

A national bank chartered by James Madison in 1816, as he felt the need to strengthen the central government after the problems encountered during the War of 1812. Contributed to the Panic of 1819, leading to Andrew Jackson’s successful effort to kill it but also send deposits to Jackson-loyal state banks. This would contribute to an unstable American economy until the creation of the Federal Reserve System after the Panic of 1907.

Democrats:

During the Era of Good Feelings, the Democratic-Republicans fragmented. During the 1828 election, this party supported Andrew Jackson and the National Republican faction supported Henry Clay. The (Jacksonian) party favored an agrarian economy, ending the national bank, lowering tariffs, and increasing the political power of the “common man,” such as through universal male suffrage for whites. They also supported states’ rights and federal restraint in social affairs.

National Republicans:

A faction of the splintering Democratic-Republicans during the 1828 election. They supported Henry Clay and opposed Andrew Jackson. The party eventually became the Whig Party in 1836. Whig ideology was very similar to the platform of the old Federalist Party.

Whig Party:

Opposition to Jacksonian Democrats. Favored economic nationalism, a strong central government, and rechartering the national bank. Promoted protectionism: tariffs to support American industrialization. They also promoted Clay’s American System as a way to improve the roads, canals, and infrastructure of the country. The party collapsed over the question of slavery’s expansion into newly acquired territories.

Two-party system:

The United States is noted for its enduring ____ system; the life cycle of which two parties are dominant is referred to as a Party System. There are five recognized party systems, although a Sixth Party System (starting in the late 1960s) is sometimes also listed.

McCulloch v. Maryland:

An 1819 case where the Supreme Court ruled that the federal government had an implied power to establish the Second National Bank. The state had no right to tax a federal institution and it could signal the end of federalism. Most importantly, federal laws were stronger than state ones.

Panic of 1837:

A financial crisis that lasted from 1837 until the mid 1840s. Caused, in part, by Andrew Jackson killing the Bank of the United States and issuing the Specie Circular, the latter of which caused the value of paper money to plummet.

Tariff of 1828:

This tariff helped the northeastern industrial economy, but damaged to the southern economy. VP Calhoun secretly threatened South Carolina’s secession, calling the tariff the “Tariff of Abominations,” and recommended that the southern states ignore it if the federal government refused to lower the duty requirement.

Tariff of 1832:

It lowered the Tariff of 1828 in a failed attempt to calm the South. S. Carolina voted to nullify this and threatened to secede if Jackson attempted to collect the duties by force. Jackson wanted to lower tariffs even more. But the Force Bill allowed him to use the military to collect tariffs. This signaled to the South that their threats would not be tolerated and the state gave up. Increased North-South tensions.

Spoils system:

A form of political corruption where a political party rewards its supporters with favors, often posts to public office. Andrew Jackson was a proponent of the system.

Indian Removal Act:

This 1830 law provided for the immediate forced resettlement of American Indians. Jackson initiated this even after the Worcester v. Georgia case provided that it was unconstitutional for the Cherokee to be removed from Georgia.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia:

A Supreme Court case from 1831. The Marshall court ruled that the Cherokee Tribe was not a sovereign foreign nation and, therefore, had no right to sue for jurisdiction over its homelands.

Worcester v. Georgia:

A Supreme Court case (1832) which ruled that the state of Georgia could not infringe on the Cherokee Nation’s sovereignty, thus nullifying Georgia state laws within the tribe’s territory. However, Jackson ignored the Supreme Court ruling and led the Cherokee into the Trail of Tears.

Second Great Awakening:

A Protestant religious movement that took place across the United States between the 1790s and the 1840s. It peaked in the 1820s. Unlike the first one, it gradually came to place a greater emphasis on slavery as a sin and focused on reforming society through creating better individuals like with temperance. Preachers like Finney appealed to emotions rather than reason and focused on urban populations.

Charles G. Finney:

A minister in the Second Great Awakening. Appealed to his audience’s emotions, rather than to their reason. Focused on urban populations. Called for societal reformations to remove drunkenness and slavery.

Methodists and Baptists

Christian denominations that bolstered the Second Great Awakening’s revival and held diverse crowds racially. Grew rapidly.

American Temperance Society:

Revival preachers of the Second Great Awakening joined in the 1820s to form the society. Demanded absolute abstinence in working class men, as reformers began to see the negative effects that any alcohol consumption had on people’s lives. Got support of states as decreased alcohol use resulted in fewer workplace accidents and more productivity. The most active members were middle-class women.

Cult of domesticity:

Due to the Industrial Revolution, people no longer necessarily labored in the field or in small home industries. As children became less important as a source of labor, and men took factory jobs, the position of women became centered on the home. This led to the elevation of motherhood and homemaking.

Declaration of Sentiments:

Drafted at the Seneca Falls Convention by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Modeled after the Declaration of Independence, it declared that “all men and women are created equal.” Much like the earlier temperance movement, eclipsed by the abolitionist movement and did not resurface until closer to the turn of the twentieth century.

American Anti-slavery Society:

Opposed slave traders and owners. As the leader, Garrison’s radicalism alienated many moderates within the movement when he claimed that the Constitution was a pro-slavery document. Garrison’s insistence on women in the movement led to division among his supporters and the formation of the Liberty Party (accepts women) and the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society (doesn’t).

Harriet Tubman:

She escaped from slavery and later helped others do the same with the Underground Railroad. She helped John Brown recruit his band for the raid on Harper’s Ferry. After the Civil War, she advocated for women’s suffrage.

Sojourner Truth:

An African American abolitionist and suffragist. Born into slavery in New York and is notable as the first black woman to win a court case against a white man. She is best known for the “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech, which advocated for both abolitionism and women’s rights.

Frederick Douglas:

A former slave, wrote of the ugliness of slavery and argued that the Constitution could be used as a weapon against slavery. Wanted to fight slavery through legal means in contrast to some other radical abolitionists, who advocated varying degrees of violence to achieve abolition. He also supported women’s suffrage.

Underground Railroad:

A network of abolitionists and abolitionist-sympathizers who helped slaves escape into free states and Canada. Members included Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman, among many others. This gained greater support after the Compromise of 1850. At its peak, approximately 1,000 slaves per year escaped.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion:

A massive slave uprising in 1831. It resulted in the deaths of white men, women, and children, and the retaliatory killings of hundreds of slaves. Afterwards, states across the South passed laws restricting civil rights for all African Americans, free or slave, and banned educating them as well.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

Informally known as the Mormon Church, it was founded by Joseph Smith. The followers were disliked due to the practice of polygamy (having multiple wives)—by their surrounding community and left New York to head west. The Mormons later settled in Utah.

Transcendentalists:

Artists and writers who emphasized the emotions and the connection between man and nature in Romanticism. They were a reaction to both the rationality of the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Examples include Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They promoted individualism, self-reliance, and freedom from social constraints. Largely spiritual.

Erie Canal:

Completed in 1825, linked the Great Lakes with the Hudson River. The cost of shipping dropped dramatically, and port cities along the canal flourished.

Nativists:

Anti-immigrant activists in the nineteenth century. many Protestants of English ancestry disliked the Irish and Germans that arrived in the 1840s, due to their Catholic faith. Many Central Europeans were also leftists fleeing from prosecution after the failed Revolutions of 1848. On the West Coast, Chinese immigrants prompted similar xenophobic sentiments. Came up with the American Party, or “Know-Nothing Party”

Eli Whitney:

Invented the cotton gin in 1793, which sped up farming cotton, making it the number one cash crop of the South. Plantation owners switched from growing tobacco to growing cotton to keep up with increasing demands from domestic and overseas markets. He also popularized the concept of interchangeable machine parts.

King Cotton:

Made possible by Eli Whitney’s cotton gin. This was when the cotton business expanded slavery because more workers were needed to work the fields. It essentially made civil war inevitable, as slave owners now had too much invested in the institution of slavery to ever accept voluntary emancipation, as some former slave states in the North had.

Slave codes:

Laws that suppressed enslaved Africans, discouraging free blacks from living in the South, and preventing slave revolts. They were created to support the slave plantation economy of King Cotton, as well as to suppress potential slave uprisings like Nat Turner’s Rebellion.

Seneca Falls Convention 1848

Led by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton to obtain women’s equality with men.

Panic of 1819

National depression due to poor banking practices of the Second National Bank. Brought up the fact that common white citizens (without land) couldn’t vote on matters that caused this issue, developing the demand for better democracy.

Black Hawk War 1832

Forceful and violent removal of American Indians, unlike with the Cherokee in the Removal Act where it was more peaceful.

Market Revolution

Initiated the well-known three social classes: the business elite class, middle class, and working/lower class. Middle was nonexistent before, and unlike the working class, had gender roles where women stayed home and men worked (all genders worked in working).

Lowell Girls

Factories hired these young women for little wage, led to the first women’s labor union Lowell Female Labor Reform Association to fight for better working conditions.

Cumberland Road

National and federally funded interstate road. Facilitated western settlement and connected eastern and western farmers and markets. Democrats criticized it for the president had no constitutional power to make a interstate road.

Adams Onis Treaty 1819

Spain ceded Florida and established western border in Louisiana Territory

Anglo-American Convention 1818

Britain and US agreed to occupy both Oregon Country. In 1846, however, new treaty established possession of US territory in Oregon below the 49th parallel.