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.