Chapter 6 Notes

Key Terms and Events

• Laissez-Faire – French for “Leave it alone,” a theory promoting minimal government intervention in the economy.

• Impressment – Forcing individuals into public service, especially into the navy.

• Embargo – A government order stopping trade with other countries.

• Industry – The production of goods by businesses and factories.

• Interchangeable Parts – Standardized parts that can be replaced in manufactured products.

• Mass Production – A method of producing goods quickly and cheaply in large quantities.

• Cotton Gin – A machine that separates cotton fibers from their seeds.

• Eli Whitney – Inventor of the cotton gin and interchangeable parts.

• Electoral College – A system in which electors choose the president and vice president.

• Louisiana Purchase – Land deal under Thomas Jefferson in which the U.S. bought territory from France, doubling its size.

• Tecumseh – Shawnee leader who allied with the British and fought against U.S. settlers in the west.

• Sacagawea – A Shoshone woman who guided Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean.

• Steam Engine – A machine powered by coal-heated steam, allowing factories to be built away from water sources.

The Election of 1800

• John Adams, Aaron Burr, and Thomas Jefferson faced off.

• Jefferson and Burr tied.

• Alexander Hamilton convinced a congressman to break the tie in favor of Jefferson.

• The 12th Amendment was created to prevent future electoral tie issues.

Thomas Jefferson’s Presidency

• Focused on:

• Limiting government intervention (Laissez-Faire approach).

• Promoting agriculture.

• Encouraging self-sufficiency.

• Introduced judicial review, strengthening the judicial branch with checks and balances.

• Encouraged western expansion and trade along the Mississippi River.

The Louisiana Purchase and Westward Exploration

• With U.S. expansion, Congress organized an expedition.

• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were chosen to explore the new territory.

• Along the way, they met Sacagawea, who served as an interpreter and guide.

Tensions with Britain and France

• Both nations attempted to block U.S. trade.

• The U.S. imposed an embargo on both, which backfired and hurt American merchants.

• In 1808, James Madison was elected president.

• The Star-Spangled Banner was written during this period and later became the national anthem.

• Dolly Madison saved a famous portrait of George Washington during the War of 1812.

Industrialization and Economic Shifts

• As the U.S. expanded, industry grew, especially in the North.

• Early factories were powered by watermills; later, steam, oil, and gas were used.

• The textile industry became the dominant industry in the North.

• Francis Lowell built a major textile factory in Boston.

• Eli Whitney’s contributions:

• Interchangeable parts – Allowed for standardized gun manufacturing.

• Cotton gin – Sped up the cotton cleaning process.

The South and the Rise of Cotton

• Cotton became highly profitable, increasing demand for enslaved labor.

• The cotton gin made cotton processing more efficient.

• In 1808, the international slave trade was banned, but enslaved labor remained crucial to the Southern economy.

Life of Enslaved Workers

• Men worked as blacksmiths, carpenters, and painters.

• Women worked as maids, cooks, and childcare workers.

• Children served as household servants and field laborers.

• Some enslaved individuals were rented out to work in factories.

• Most had little to no education.

• Forms of resistance included breaking tools and equipment.

• Harsh punishments were given for defiance or escape attempts.

• Many families were separated through slave auctions.

Nat Turner’s Rebellion (1831)

• Nat Turner and his followers attacked and killed several Virginia plantation owners and their families.

• Turner was captured two months later, tried, and executed.

• The rebellion led to even harsher conditions for enslaved people in the South.