Chapter 11: The Jeffersonian Republic and Early 19th Century America

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, legislation, and events from Chapter 11 notes regarding the Jefferson and Madison presidencies.

Political "stump"

The system of giving many public speeches.

John Adams's Jackasses

The nickname given to John Adams's seamen created for the new American Navy.

Chester A. Arthur

The individual considered in the 1880s to be the father of our modern Navy.

Sally Hemmings

Thomas Jefferson's slave, and half sister of his deceased wife, with whom he might have had relations.

Election of 1800

Presidential election in which Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College; it was decided by 36 votes in the House of Representatives after Alexander Hamilton convinced Delaware to abstain, leading to Jefferson's victory 10-4-2.

Revolution of 1800

Jefferson's term for the election of 1800, which he viewed as a return to the original spirit of the Revolution to check government power and halt the decay of virtue, marked by a peaceful transfer of power.

The Red Fox

A nickname given to Thomas Jefferson.

Jefferson's Congressional Message Tradition

A 112-year tradition established by Thomas Jefferson of sending written messages to Congress to be read by a clerk because Jefferson was not a good speaker.

Political patronage

The practice of appointing officials based upon what they have done for party politics or a candidate's campaign.

Judiciary Act of 1801

An act passed by the outgoing Federalist Congress creating 16 new federal judgeships and other judicial offices to counterbalance incoming Democratic-Republican influence.

Midnight appointments

The nickname given to President John Adams's last-minute appointments filling open positions in the federal judiciary.

John Marshall

Supreme Court Chief Justice during Marbury v. Madison who was President Thomas Jefferson's 2nd cousin.

Marbury v. Madison

Landmark Supreme Court case where James Madison won, but the Court established Judicial Review, making the Supreme Court much stronger.

Judicial Review

The constitutional principle established in Marbury v. Madison stating the Supreme Court holds final authority to determine the meaning of the Constitution.

Samuel Chase

Supreme Court Justice whom the Jeffersonians unsuccessfully tried to impeach in retaliation for the Marbury v. Madison decision.

Barbary States

The four North African states of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripoli.

Shores of Tripoli

The location where President Thomas Jefferson dispatched the infant American navy to fight pirates.

Jeffs

Small, frail vessels used in the American Navy in the early 1800s.

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Leader of ex-slaves in resistance against the French in Santo Domingo who indirectly prompted Napoleon to sell the Louisiana territory to the US.

Robert Livingston

The envoy sent to France by Thomas Jefferson to negotiate the purchase of the Louisiana territory.

Louisiana Purchase

The 1803 land acquisition from France for a final price of $15 million (3 cents an acre, after $10 million was initially authorized) that doubled the physical size of the United States.

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark

Explorers dispatched by Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana territory alongside their guide Sacagawea and Clark's slave, York.

Zebulon Pike

Explorer who trekked into the headwaters of the Mississippi River in 1805-06 and in the following year ventured into the southern portion of the Louisiana territory, sighting a Colorado peak bearing his name.

Aaron Burr's Secession Plot

A conspiracy joining Aaron Burr with a group of Federalists to have New England secede from the US, which Alexander Hamilton exposed, resulting in a duel where Hamilton was killed.

Aaron Burr Treason Trial (1806)

Trial of Aaron Burr for attempting to place part of the Western US into Spanish hands; he was acquitted because he only had intent without overt acts.

Orders in Council

British edicts that closed European ports under French control to foreign shipping, including American vessels.

Chesapeake Incident

An 1807 naval attack where a British warship fired broadsides at an American ship, killing three Americans, wounding eighteen, and removing four deserters.

Embargo Act of 1807

An act hastily passed by Congress that hurt New England commerce but unintentionally strengthened modern American industrial manufacturing against Jefferson's wishes.

Macon's Bill No. 2

A dismantled version of the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 stating that if either Britain or France repealed its commercial restrictions, America would restore its embargo against the non-repealing nation.

War Hawks

Federalist nickname for young, aggressive congressmen from the South and West who advocated for war with Britain.

Battle of Tippecanoe

An 1811 battle in which future President William Henry Harrison defeated a band of Shawnee Indians led by Tecumseh.

Curse of Tecumseh

A legend attributed to Tenskwatawa stating that every US president elected in a year ending in zero would die in office or be assassinated, which occurred from William Henry Harrison (1840) through John F. Kennedy (1960).

Mr. Madison's War

Another name for the War of 1812, primarily caused by British impressment of American sailors.

Corsican butcher

A derogatory nickname given to Napoleon Bonaparte by Northeast Federalists.