Final Exam Study Guide

What were some problems of the AOC?

The Articles of Confederation (AOC) faced several issues, including a lack of federal authority to levy taxes, inability to regulate interstate commerce, and a weak central government that struggled to enforce laws and maintain order, leading to economic instability and conflict among states.

List the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th amendment

1: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition

Ex: Protest gov. policies or post opinions online without being arrested

2: Right to bear arms

Ex: own a firearm in your home

4: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

Ex: Police must have warrant to search homes/phone

5: Due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy

Ex: can’t be tried twice for the same crime

6: A speedy, public trial, right to an attorney

Ex: entitled to a lawyer if arrested, even if unaffordable

8: No cruel or unusual punishment, excessive bail

Ex: No $1 million bail for minor offenses

9: Rights not listed are protected

Ex: right to privacy

10: Powers not federal belong to states or people

Describe the role and qualifications of President, Senate, House of rep and Supreme Court

The President serves as the head of state and government, elected for a four-year term; must be a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident for 14 years. The Senate consists of 100 members serving six-year terms; each state has two Senators, who must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for nine years, and a resident of the state. The House of Representatives has 435 members serving two-year terms; they must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for seven years, and a resident of the state. The Supreme Court, composed of nine justices appointed for life, interprets laws and ensures their constitutionality, with justices requiring no specific qualifications.

Explain each limited government, checks and balances, separation of powers, federalism, popular sovereignty

Limited government prevents excessive control by the state, ensuring individual freedoms. Checks and balances distribute power among branches of government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Separation of powers divides government responsibilities into distinct branches to promote accountability and efficiency. Federalism allocates power between the national and state governments, allowing for local governance. Popular sovereignty asserts that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, emphasizing democracy.

What major compromises were made at the CC (1787)

Great Compromise: Bicameral; House is based on population and Senate gives equal representation to each state

3/5 Compromise

Slave Trade Compromise: Allowed slave trade to continue until 1808, balancing the interests of slave holding and non-slave holding states

What were the debates between Federalist and Anti-Federalists over during the process of ratification?

Central vs State government

Large vs Small Republic

Bill of Rights

What advice did GW give for his Farwell Address?

Don’t have political parties, stay neutral (no foreign policy), and maintain national credit/avoid debt

What 2 parties emerged after Washington’s presidency?

Federalist and Democratic-Republicans

Who won the election of 1800? Why was it considered a revolution

TJ, passing of presidency was peaceful between both parties

What was Jeffersonian Democracy? aka Jefferson’s vision

Favored a limited central gov.

Advocated for a strict interpretation of constitution to limit fed. power

supported westward expansion

wanted relocation of natives

owned slaves but opposed international slave trade

What did Marbury v Madison establish?

The principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional

When was the Louisiana Territory purchased. From who?

1804, Napoleon from France

Why did Jefferson recommend that Congress pass an embargo on all foreign trade in December 1807? What were some results of this embarge?

Avoid war with Britain and France by protecting American ship seizure during their conflict

It hurt the U.S. economy, increased smuggling, and eventually was repealed in 1809

What caused the War of 1812?

Impressment of U.S. sailors, trade restrictions, support for native resistance against U.S. expansions

What is significant about the bombardment of Fort McHenry?

It inspired the writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner”

What were some effects of the War of 1812?

Strengthened national identity through victories like the Battle of New Orleans, fostered American pride, and led to the creation of the “Star-Spangled Banner”

What nickname did the era after the War of 1812 earn? Was this nickname justified?

Era of Good Feelings

Partially due to political unity under the Demo-Repub. but it masked sectional tensions and economy issues

What were the reasons behind Henry Clay’s advocacy of the “American System”?

The creation of a protective tariff, national bank, internal improvements to boost industry, reduce foreign dependence, unify the nation.

What did the Monroe Doctrine state?

Western Hemisphere closed to EU colonization, U.S. wouldn’t interfere in EU issues

Why was the Missouri Compromise needed and what were the results?

Needed to balance free/slave states; Missouri (Slave), Maine (Free), slavery banned north of 36°30

Results: Union preservation, highlighted slavery tensions

What land was acquired with the Adams-Onis Treaty

FL from Spain, defined Louisiana Purchase boundary, ceded Spanish NW claims

What was the controversy surrounding the “Corrupt Bargain”; who did it involve, what was alleged to have been exchanged, what was the ultimate result of the election

(1824)

Controversy: House decided election (no majority); Clay allegedly supported Adams for secretary of state

Involved: Jackson, Adams, Clay

Alleged exchange: Political office in order to gain more votes

Results: Adam won, fueled Jackson’s 1828 victory

Why is the Age of Jackson also known as the era of the “common man?”

Expanded democracy (more white male voting rights), spoils system rewarded supporters, Jackson’s rise inspired the working class

What is the spoils system and how did it affect the federal government

Gave jobs to political supporters, not merit-base, led to corruption and inefficiency

How did Andrew Jackson respond to the Nullification Crisis?

Declared it treasonous, passed Force Bill, negotiated tariff reduction to preserve federal authority

Link Jackson to Indian Removal Act to Cherokee to Worcester vs. GA to Trail of Tears

AJ: supported Indian Removal Act → Authorized forced relocation west → Cherokee: resisted w/ a Constitution, farming lifestyle → Worcester V GA: Ruled GA couldn’t regulate Cherokee lands; Jackson ignored this, → Trail of Tears: Forced Natives to march west (1838 - 1839) thousands died

What did Andrew Jackson do when the Second Bank of the U.S. was up for recharter in 1832? Why was he criticized for this action?

Vetoed recharter, withdrew funds to state banks

Critized for economic instability (Panic of 1837), overstepping authority

What changes did the Market Revolution bring to the US, specifically in regards to foreign trade, development of manufacturing and introduction of new technologies?

Foreign Trade: Expanded w/ steamboats / canals, increased exports

Manufacturing: Grew w/ factories (Lowell mills), shifted to industrial centers

Tech: Cotton gin, spinning jenny, steam engine; all boosted production

What was Nat Turner famous for leading?

1831: Led a slave rebellion in VA, killed 60 whites, heighted Southern fears

Explain the significance of Fredrick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Douglass: Escaped slave, wrote a narrative, key abolitionist speaker

Garrison: Published “The Liberator”, founded Anti-slavery society

Sojourner Truth: spoke for abolition/women’s rights

Tubman: Led hundreds to freedom via Underground RR

Harriet Beecher Stowe: Wrote Uncle Tom’s cabin, fueled abolitionist sentiment

Who wrote the Declaration of Sentiments? What document was it modeled after, what was its arguments?

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Declaration of Independence, women should have the same rights as men.

What is meant by ‘temperance?’ Why did this movement grow in the 19th century?

Moderation of abstinence from alcohol consumption

Social + Moral problems associated w/ alc abuse

What is the “Cult of Domesticity?”

Ideology emphasizing women as guardians of the home and family

What did many Americans begin to move into Texas in the early 19th century? Why did they soon find themselves in conflict with their Mexican neighbors?

Mexican’s gov. policy of encouraging immigration, differences in culture, language, religion and political views

Why did presidents Jackson and Van Buren choose not to annex Texas after its independence from Mexico?

Concerns about upsetting the balance of power between slave and free states

What were the causes of the Mexican-American War?

U.S. annexation of Texas, disputes over the boundary between TX and Mexico, US expansionists desires

What treaty ended the Mexican-American War? In what year was it signed? What were the terms of this treaty?

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848, Mexico ceded territory to the U.S., US paid Mexico $150 million for it

What is the Gadsden Purchase and went did it occur

Bought a land which is southern AZ and NM (1854)

What were the people who came to CA to mien gold during the Gold Rush called? What did the Gold Rush change CA society?

49ers, caused population to sky rocket as well as rapid economic growth

What group of “old immigrants” moved to the US in the mid 19th century? What factors “pushed” them from their homes, where did they settle, and what kinds of jobs did they hold?

Irish and Germans, Irish faced famine, Germans had political unrest and economic issues. Irish were in Northeast while Germans were in Midwest. Irish were unskilled laborers. Germans were farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers

Nativism began to develop during this era. What does this term refer to and how did it operate politically, socially and economically?

Favors the interests of native-born inhabitants over those of immigrants.

Anti-political parties (Know nothing party) was created for this.

Manifested into discrimination and prejudice

Job competition occurred and immigrants were to blame for this

Explain how the cotton economy linked the North, South and West

South grew cotton → North manufactured into textiles → West gave food + new raw materials to both North and South

How was paternalism used to justify slavery

Slaveholders were like father figures to their slaves

In what ways were enslaved individuals abused and dehumanized

Physical violence, denied basic human rights (education, marriage and family)

What were slave spirituals? Describe some common themes seen in them.

Religious song created by enslaved Africans

Common themes: hope for freedom, resistance to slavery, and faith in a better future

List ways enslaved people rebelled against or resisted their oppression.

Running away, participating in revolts, sabotage, work slowdowns, and maintaining cultural practices

How did poor white farmers regard slaves

Mix of resentment and racial superiority, they competed for resources and status in a society stratified by race and class

Explain the components of the Compromise of 1850 and assess how the North and South felt about the components

Compromise: CA is a free state, stricter Fugitive State Act, popular sovereignty for NM and UT

North supported admission of CA as a free state and the abolition of slave trade in D.C. but opposed the Fugitive Slave Act.

South supported Fugitive Slave Act and popular sovereignty but opposed CA as a free state viewing it as an in balanced to power in Senate

When was the Kansas-Nebraska Act passed? Who proposed it? How did it serve to worsen sectional tensions between the North and South?

Allowed Kansas and Nebraska to use popular sovereingty to decide if they are free state or not. Stephen Douglas Repealed the Missiouri Compromise which made it a competition to gain more influence on free/slave states. (1854)

To what even does the term ‘Bleeding Kansas’ refer?

Series of violent attacks between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups in Kansas territory. Led by brown

What was the significance of the ruling in Dred Scott v Sandford (1857) How did it serve to worsen sectional tensions between the North and South

Court ruled that enslaved people were property, Congress couldn’t prohibit slavery in the territories. Empo pro-slavery force

Where was John Brown’s Raid? What was its intended purpose? What were the results? How did it serve to worsen sectional tensions between the North and South?

Harpers Ferry, VA: led to slave rebellion

However, it failed; worsened tensions by South viewing it as terrorism

List the 4 candidates who ran in Election of 1860. What party did they belong to, and wht did each believe about the expansion of slavery? Where in the nation did each find a base of support?

Lincoln: Repub.; opposedd the expansion of slavery; base of support in the North.

Stephen Douglas: Northern Demo: believed in population sovereignty; support scathered access North

John C. Breckinridge: Souither Democrat; supported the expansion of slavery; support in South

John Bell: consitutional union; took no posistion on slavery; support in south

What was the direct result of Lincoln‘s victory in the Election of 1860? Identify the cause, as state in numerous secession documents, of the Civl War.

Secession of the Southern states; preservation of slavery and state’s rights

What states comprised the Confederate States of America? Who were its leaders?

SC, Ms, FL, AL, GA, TX, VA, AR, NC, TN

Jefferson Davis, Alexander Stephens

What advantages/disadvantages were present for both the North and South at the beginning of the war?

North; more resources; South; defensive war and better military leaders

When and where did the first skirmish of the Civil War occur?

Fort Sumter, April 12, 1861

List prominent Union generals and major accomplishments/notable things for each.

Grant: Aggressive tactics and eventual victory; accepted Lee’s surrender at Appomattox

Sherman: “total war” tactics during his march to GA, significantly weakning controls.

McClellan : Skill organizer but overly cautious, often criticized for his hesitancy in battle

List prominent Confederate generals and major accomplishments/notable things for each.

Robert E Lee: Highly respect for his tactical brilliance and leadership of the tactical brilliance and leadership of the Confederate Army of Northern VA

Stonewall Jackson: known for his bravery and tactical skills; played a key role in many Confederate victories until his death in 1863

Longstreet: Corps commander in Confederate Army, known for his defensive tactics

What are the differences between Presidential and Congressional Reconstruction?

Presidential: Quick and lenient reintegration of the Confederacy States

Congressional: Protect the rights of freedman and punish the South

Efforts by the Freeman’s Bureau and the Congressional Reconstruction were hindered by what type of actions/beliefs?

Widespread racism and resistance from white southerners

What are black codes? Examples

Restrictive laws pass in southern states that limit the freedom and rights of African Americans

Ex: restricted black people’s rights to own property, conduct business, buy and lease land, and move freely through public spaces.

Who were the KKK and what did they do to bring about “home rule” or “redemption governments”

While supremacist terrorist group that used violence, intimidation, murder to suppress black voters, undermine Reconstruction efforts and restore white suprmemacy

Identify and explain the 13-15th amendments

13th: Abolished Slavery

14th : granted citizenship to all people born or naturalized in U.S., including former slaves, and guaranteed all citizens equal protection

15th: prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

What were some of the successes of Reconstruction? Were they long lasting?

Yes, 13-15th amendments, established public schools in systems in South. founding of HBCUs

Why did support for Reconstruction wane?

Economic depression, political fatigue, and economic depression, political fatigue and Southern resistance

What was the Compromise of 1877 and how did it end Reconstruction?

An agreement to remove federal troops from the South, ending Reconstruction

Explain the lasting impact of Plessy v. Ferguson had on the United States for the next 100 years

Legalized segregation, leading to widespread racial discrimination for 100 years

What type of Americans were expanding West during this time period and why?

Farmers, miners, ranches, and immigrants sought land, wealth and new opportunites

What is the Homestead Act and how did it effect this time period?

Growed land to settlers, encouraging settlement and agricultural development

How did the US go about carrying out assimilation efforts?

Through boarding schools and individual land ownership policies

Consider the technological advancement during this time period: how did certain innovations make living in or moving out to the West more feasible? Consider the impact on cowboys and cattle ranching.

RR, barbed wire, and refrigerated railcars made living in and refrigerated railcars made living in and moving to the West more feasible

What is the Gilded Age? How did it get its name?

Period of rapid industrialization and economic growth named after a book by Mark Twain that satirized the era’s superficiality and corruption

Who were the captains of industry/robber barons and how did they amass their wealth and presige?

Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, Vanderbilt

Most spent their wealth strengthening their business or like Carnegie, donate to the poor

What is the relationship between big buisnesses and the government during this time period? Why were (and still are) people critical about that relationship?

They were close w/ laissez-faire policies. Criticized due to corruption, undue influence and lack of protection for workers and consumers

What is the Sherman Anti-Trust Act? How successful was it? What was initially used against?

Prohibits activities that restrict interstate commerce and trade. It wasn’t successful as the government and most big businesses used it against the workers

Why did labor unions emerge during the Gilded Age

They emerged b/c of poor working conditions

What is Social Darwinism and how does it relate to the Gilded Age?

Survival of the fittest. It relates to Gilded Age because the most fittest were the rich who owned monopolies.

What is populism? Who supported it? What was the Populist Party platform? How successful was it?

Political movement supported by farmers and laborers. The populist party platform included bimetallism, government regulation of RR, a graduated income tax, and direct election of senators

What is bimetallism and how does it relate to William Jennings Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech?

System based on both gold and silver. Speech advocated for bimetallism to alter economic hardships.

How is the Electon of 1896 similar to modern-day era elections?

Focused on economic issues, campaign strategies, media use, and divisions between voters

What were the key differences between Angel and Ellis Island?

Angled Island is the west coast immigration cite which was really difficult to enter in.

Ellis Island was a symbol of chance for the “American Dream”, statue of liberty overlooks immigrants, no passports and visa were needed to enter U.S., people were checked for diseases, it was also a lot easier to get into America through here.

What type of immigrants came to America during this time period? How do they differ from the “old immigrants” a few decades prior?

Northern and Western Europeans who were most protestant, some were also Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox. Old Immigrants were the Irish and more western eurpeans.

How did Nativism rear is ugly head during this time period?

Led to Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which banned Chinese laborers

What are political bosses and machines? How did they influence immigrant groups?

Political machine is a powerful, central political organization, often headed by a single boss or small group that uses patronage to control polticval power.

Politcal boss is a powerful figure who controls a fraction or local branch of a political party.

Who was Thomas Nast and why is he important to know

Thomas Nast created political cartoons that questioned big buisnesses and the government

Explain what Jacob Riis shed light on during this time period

Showed pictures of the suffering impoverished immigrants

Identify accomplishments/notable events for the presidencies of Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, + Cleveland

Garfield was assassinated

Arthur signed the Pendleton Act

Harrison signed the Sherman Anti Trust Act

Celveled dealt w/ Panic of 1893

What are the 3 reasons for American Imperialism?

Economic, Military, ideological interests

Who is Alfred T. Mahan?

Naval officer whose book emphasized sea powers

What is yellow journalism?

Altering the truth of stories to make it sound more interesting /click baiting.

Who were Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst?

Pulitzer worked for NY World, Hearst worked in NY Jounral but both participated in yellow journalism

Why did the US go to war with Spain in 1898

To be able to control Cuba aswell as other land.

Which areas did the US acquire after the Treaty of Paris of 1898

Guam, Philipines, Cuba and PR

How did the US acquire Alaska and HI

Alaska was bought from Russia and HI gov. was overthrown by U.S. business men

How did Cleveland and McKinley see imperialism?

Cleveland was against imperialism, opposed annexation of HI

McKinley was w/ imperialism, pursued expansion and lead to Spanish-America/ annexation of HI

How did the US acquire the Panama Canal? Why did the US want it?

Got it from French, wanted it for easier travel from Atlantic to Pacfic areas

How did the US treat Cuba after the Treaty of Paris

Cuba was no longer promised independence

Platt Amendment forced Cuba to make a constitution as well as, to have all treaties approved by the U.S., the US could interfere in Cuban affairs and Cuba can act as a military base.

What are some of the strategic places acquired for military/naval bases?

Hawaii, Cuba

How does the era of American Imperialism reflect the values/beliefs/goals of current day America?

Have belief of conquering and controlling land. we still control PR + Virgin islands but not anything else during the time period.