US History Key Concepts: 1812-1837 Political and Economic Developments

Cultural Nationalism

Pride in American culture after the War of 1812; focus on unique American literature, art, and values

Washington Irving

First internationally recognized American author; wrote Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review, giving the Supreme Court power to declare laws unconstitutional, and declared the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional

Barbary Coast Pirates

North African pirates who demanded tribute from U.S. ships; Jefferson refused, leading to naval conflict

Treaty of San Ildefonso

Secret treaty where Spain returned the Louisiana Territory to France, setting the stage for the Louisiana Purchase

Chesapeake-Leopard Incident

British warship Leopard attacked U.S. ship Chesapeake; angered Americans and increased tensions leading to the War of 1812

Embargo Act

Jefferson banned U.S. trade; it backfired and hurt the U.S. economy.

Gabriel Prosser

Enslaved man who planned a slave revolt in Virginia; plot discovered and suppressed

American System

Henry Clay's program: strong banking system, protective tariffs, and federally funded internal improvements, along with transportation systems (roads and canals)

Samuel Chase

Supreme Court justice targeted by Jeffersonians for impeachment; acquitted, proving the independence of the judiciary

Hartford Convention

Federalist meeting during the War of 1812; seen as unpatriotic, it helped destroy the Federalist Party

Market Revolution

Economic transformation with canals, railroads, factories, and a shift from subsistence to commercial farming

Tallmadge Amendment

Proposed gradual emancipation of slaves in Missouri; sparked heated debate over slavery's expansion, gradual abolishment of slavery in new states, passed in the House but not the Senate

Thomas Amendment

Part of the Missouri Compromise; allowed Congress to prohibit slavery north of 36°30′ in the Louisiana Territory

McCulloch v. Maryland

The Supreme Court upheld the national bank; strengthened federal power over states.

Gibbons v. Ogden

The Supreme Court ruled that only Congress can regulate interstate commerce

Adams-Onís Treaty

Spain gives Florida to the U.S., the U.S. gives up claims to Texas, Border between the U.S. and Spain set at the 42 parallel

Samuel Slater

"Father of the American Industrial Revolution"; brought British textile machinery designs to the U.S

Francis Cabot Lowell (Lowell System)

Textile mills in Massachusetts that employed young women in dormitories

Virginia Dynasty

Series of presidents from Virginia (Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe)

Alexis de Tocqueville

French observer who wrote Democracy in America; praised U.S. equality but noted flaws like slavery

Corrupt Bargain

Alleged deal where John Quincy Adams gave Henry Clay the Secretary of State position in exchange for the presidency

Treaty of New Echota

Treaty ceding Cherokee land to the U.S.; led to Trail of Tears

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

The Supreme Court said the Cherokee were a "domestic dependent nation," not a foreign nation

Worcester v. Georgia

The Court ruled Georgia's laws had no power over Cherokee land; Jackson ignored the decision

Nicholas Biddle

President of the Second Bank of the United States; clashed with Andrew Jackson

Specie Circular

Jackson's order requiring land purchases to be made in gold or silver; contributed to the Panic of 1837

Nullification Crisis

South Carolina declared tariffs unconstitutional; threatened secession

Hayne-Webster Debate

Senate debate: Hayne (states' rights) vs. Webster ("Liberty and Union, now and forever")

Force Bill

Gave Jackson authority to use military to enforce tariffs in South Carolina

Hard Money

Gold and silver currency, supported by Jacksonians who distrusted banks

Soft Money

Paper money; supported by those who wanted inflation and easy credit

Roger Taney

Chief Justice after John Marshall; supported Jacksonian principles like states' rights in economic cases

Panic of 1837

Severe economic depression caused by bank failures, Specie Circular, and loss of British credit

Spoils System

The winning political party would give jobs to their supporters. Example, Andrew Jackson.

Thomas Dorr

Let the “peoples party” and started a rebellion for democracy and suffrage in Rhode Island and created his own constitution