Lecture Notes Review

Political Parties and Key Figures

• Washington's Administration:
  • Emergence of Federalist vs. Democratic-Republican parties.
  • Hamilton (Federalist) vs. Jefferson (Democratic-Republican).
  • Strong central government vs. strong state governments.
• Jacksonian Era:
  • Andrew Jackson creates the Democratic Party based on Jacksonian ideas.
  • Opponents of Jackson form the Whig Party (second two-party system).
  • The Federalist Party disappears after the Hartford Convention.
  • Democratic-Republicans also fade away, replaced by new parties formed around Jackson.

John Marshall Court (approx. 30 years as Chief Justice)

• Overall, the power of the federal government increases during this period.
• Key Cases:
  • Marbury v. Madison: Establishes judicial review.
  • McCulloch v. Maryland:
    • Maryland attempts to tax the national bank.
    • Court rules that states cannot tax the bank.
    • This case reinforces the power of the federal government over states.
  • Gibbons v. Ogden (Steamboat Case):
    • Federal government has sole power to regulate interstate commerce.
  • Worcester v. Georgia:
    • Court rules that Native Americans cannot have their land seized.
    • President Jackson ignores the ruling and proceeds with Indian Removal, leading to the Trail of Tears.

Timeline

• Approximate timeframe: 1800-1840.
• 1828: Andrew Jackson elected president (important milestone).

Growth of Sectionalism

• The South becomes focused on Southern interests, and the North on Northern interests.
• Cotton gin (Eli Whitney) increases the importance of slavery in the South.
• 1807: Embargo Act:
  • Jefferson's attempt to remain neutral by ceasing trade.
  • Considered Jefferson's biggest mistake.
• Nullification Crisis:
  • High tariffs lead South Carolina to threaten nullification.
  • President Jackson opposes nullification.
  • Henry Clay brokers a compromise to avert conflict.

Second Great Awakening (early 1800s)

• Religious revival movement.
• Emergence of new religious sects (Methodists, Baptists, etc.).
• Leads to social reforms:
  • Abolitionism: Growing movement to abolish slavery, seen as a sin.
  • Women's Rights: Early stages of the movement, including figures like Seneca Falls.
  • Temperance Movement: Efforts to curb alcohol consumption due to perceived social problems.
  • Colonization: Idea to end slavery and send freed slaves back to Africa; led to the creation of Liberia.

Pro-Slavery Arguments

• The South begins to justify slavery as a positive good for slaves.
• Driven by economic dependence on cotton production.

Immigration and Nativism

• Increased immigration from Ireland and Germany.
• Leads to nativist movements, such as the Know-Nothing Party (anti-Irish).

Jackson's Controversies

• Indian Removal and the Trail of Tears.

Era of Good Feelings (post-War of 1812)

• Period of nationalism and unity.
• Development of American culture.
  • Rise of American authors like Washington Irving and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Utopian Societies

• Shakers: Believe in celibacy, leading to their decline.
• Mormons: Significant religious movement.
• Nat Turner's Rebellion: Largest slave revolt in American history. Leads to harsher restrictions on slaves.

Technological Advancements (1850s-60s Emphasis)

• Railroads: Become significant transportation network.
• Telegraph: Instant communication via Morse code; impacts business and industry.
• Agricultural Technology:
  • McCormick Reaper and John Deere steel plow facilitate westward expansion by making land cultivation more efficient.

Lowell System

• Represents change and industrialization.

Cotton and Expansion

• Cotton becomes crucial after Eli Whitney's cotton gin.
• Drives the expansion of slavery and the search for new land to grow cotton.

The American System (Henry Clay)

• Goal: Integrate the economies of the North (factories), South (cotton), and West (agriculture).
• Components:
  • Infrastructure (roads and canals)
  • National Bank (to facilitate business)
  • Protective Tariff (to promote American industry)

Diverging Economies and Tariffs

• The North favors tariffs because of its manufacturing base.
• The South and West oppose tariffs because they lack factories and do not benefit.
• Growing economic and social differences between North and South lead to potential conflict.

Foreign Policy

• James K. Polk and "54-40 or Fight": Settle for the 49th parallel with Canada.
• 1845: Texas is annexed before the Mexican-American War.
• Monroe Doctrine: Warns European powers to stay out of the Americas.

Missouri Compromise

• Addresses the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories from the Louisiana Purchase.
• Establishes a line dividing free and slave territories: anything north of the line (except Missouri) would be free, and anything south would be slave.