Period 4 Study Guide

Differences between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans

Federalist Party:

• Leaders: Prominent figures include Alexander Hamilton, who emphasized the need for a strong central government, and John Adams, the second president of the United States.

• Social Base: Primarily supported by elitist business owners, landowners, and merchants, particularly in the Northeastern states.

• Economic Policies: Advocated for the establishment of a national bank to stabilize the economy and high tariffs to protect American businesses from foreign competition.

• Foreign Relations: Aligned policies with Great Britain, driven by a desire to foster trade and maintain stability; harbored a deep-seated fear of revolutionary France, viewing it as a threat to social order and economic security.

• Constitutional Interpretation: Employed a loose interpretation of the Constitution, supporting expansive federal powers to address emergent national issues and economic growth.

Democratic-Republican Party:

• Leaders: Key figures included Thomas Jefferson, who envisioned an agrarian republic, and James Madison, known as the "Father of the Constitution."

• Social Base: Backed mainly by small farmers, laborers, and those from agrarian backgrounds, particularly in the South and West.

• Economic Policies: Favored an agrarian economy with policies that supported low tariffs and minimal taxation, helping small farmers maintain economic viability.

• Foreign Relations: Supported revolutionary France due to its assistance during the American Revolution, reflecting sympathies for democratic movements.

• Constitutional Interpretation: Advocated for a strict interpretation of the Constitution, arguing for limited federal power and greater rights for states, emphasizing states’ rights in governance.

Thomas Jefferson's Domestic and Foreign Policies

Domestic Policies

• Jefferson maintained certain Federalist principles by keeping key aspects of Alexander Hamilton's financial plan, allowing for a degree of continuity in governance.

• He implemented significant reductions in military expenditures, eliminated specific federal jobs considered unnecessary, repealed excise taxes, and focused on lowering the national debt through frugality.

• Consistently filled his cabinet with Democratic-Republican members to promote party unity and minimize political conflicts.

Louisiana Purchase (1803):

• Acquired vast territories from France for $15 million, which not only facilitated control over the lucrative trade routes in New Orleans but effectively doubled the size of the United States.

• Presented a constitutional dilemma since the acquisition was not explicitly covered in the Constitution; Jefferson grappled with the implications of presidential power in this context.

• In response to this expansion, he authorized the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804), which vastly improved knowledge of the newly acquired territory and helped establish better relations with Native Americans.

• He took steps to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts, and initiated attempts to impeach Federalist judges, aiming to reduce Federalist influence within the judicial system, though these efforts yielded minimal changes.

Foreign Policies:

• Jefferson aimed for a policy of neutrality between Britain and France but faced challenges, particularly with Barbary Pirates, leading to military conflict between 1801-1805.

• During the Napoleonic Wars, he enacted the Embargo Act of 1807, which effectively prohibited American ships from trading with foreign ports, aiming to protect American interests but resulting in significant economic hardship for American merchants and widespread resentment among the populace.

Significance of John Marshall's Rulings

John Marshall's Influence:

• Serving as Chief Justice for 34 years, John Marshall often upheld Federalist ideals, even with a Republican majority in the Supreme Court, shaping American legal principles significantly.

• Key Rulings:

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803): This landmark case established the principle of judicial review, affirming the Supreme Court's authority to invalidate laws that it found in conflict with the Constitution.

  • Fletcher v. Peck (1810): A significant ruling that established limits on state powers by declaring that a state could not invalidate a contract, marking a pivotal moment in the Supreme Court's authority over state laws.

  • Martin v. Hunter’s Lease (1816): Confirmed the Supreme Court's power to review state court decisions regarding constitutional matters, reinforcing the national judiciary's authority.

  • Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819): This decision invalidated state interference in private contracts, thus safeguarding institutional autonomy from state control.

  • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Upheld federal supremacy over state laws and determined that the national bank was indeed constitutional, which reinforced the concept of implied powers.

  • Cohens v. Virginia (1821): Affirmed the Supreme Court's authoritative review over state decisions, particularly concerning federal powers, thereby cementing national judicial power.

  • Gibbons v. Ogden (1821): Enhanced federal control over interstate commerce, clear delineating federal power in regulating trade across state lines.

War of 1812: Causes and Effects

Causes:

• The ongoing hostilities between Britain and France during the Napoleonic Wars severely violated U.S. neutrality, particularly evident in the impressment of American sailors and the seizure of American ships.

• Furthermore, tensions escalated between American settlers and Native American tribes, especially those allied with the British, which fueled demands for war from the War Hawks in Congress.

• Opposition to the war was notably strong among Federalists in New England, who feared the economic repercussions of engaging in conflict with Britain.

Effects:

• The War of 1812 gave rise to national heroes, such as Andrew Jackson, which spurred a wave of nationalism across the nation.

• The Federalist Party experienced a sharp decline due to their evident opposition to the war, ultimately leading to diminished political power.

• The conflict shifted the political landscape, paving the way for the Era of Good Feelings—a period marked by political harmony and a surge in American territorial ambitions and manufacturing growth.

Economic Specialization and Interconnectedness

Economic Roles of Regions:

• North: Transitioned towards manufacturing with the rise of factories; protective tariffs played a crucial role in facilitating this growth, which reduced reliance on subsistence farming and increased production efficiency.

• West: An agricultural haven where innovations such as the steel plow and mechanical reaper significantly enhanced farming capabilities, whereby farmers could produce surplus crops for the growing markets.

• South: Shifted to a cotton-dependent economy; the invention of the cotton gin led to increased efficiency in cotton production, driving investment in slavery as labor demands surged.

• Interconnectedness: The construction of canals and railroads greatly improved regional trade dynamics, allowing for effective transportation of goods and linking farmers to eastern markets; this connectivity facilitated the growth of a national economy.

Political Compromises: Missouri Compromise, American System, Monroe Doctrine

Missouri Compromise:

• Admitted Missouri as a slave state while simultaneously admitting Maine as a free state to maintain the balance of power in Congress; limited the expansion of slavery in territories north of the 36°30' latitude line.

• Provoked substantial opposition from Southern politicians concerned about the preservation of their political power amidst growing sectional tensions.

American System:

• Proposed by Henry Clay, aimed at promoting economic growth through protective tariffs, a national bank, and comprehensive internal improvements, which aimed at facilitating industry and infrastructure.

• While this system garnered support across different regions, it faced opposition primarily from Southern states, which argued against tariffs that disproportionately benefited the North.

Monroe Doctrine:

• Established a foreign policy statement asserting that the Americas were off-limits to further European colonization or interference; this doctrine sought to preserve U.S. sovereignty and protect American interests within the Western Hemisphere.

Market Revolution: Technological Impact

Technological Innovations:

• Cotton Gin: Revolutionized cotton production, enabling faster processing; this led to greater profits for plantation owners and a dramatic increase in the demand for slave labor in the South.

• Mechanical Reaper & Steel Plow: Innovations that enhanced agricultural productivity, allowing farmers to cultivate larger tracts of land and efficiently harvest crops, increasing market output substantially.

• Steam Engine: Transformed transportation, making the movement of goods and people faster and more efficient, promoting broader industrial growth across the nation.

• Telegraph: Revolutionized communication, enabling rapid transmission of information across vast distances, thereby integrating markets and enhancing trade dynamics.

Social Impacts of the Market Revolution

Cultural Changes:

• The market revolution prompted a shift towards interdependence among communities, fostering a distinct American identity shaped by a burgeoning industrial landscape.

• The rise of factories brought about significant changes in labor conditions; many workers faced harsh working conditions, prompting the formation of labor unions despite significant challenges and opposition.

Andrew Jackson's Presidency and Policies

Election of Andrew Jackson:

• Jackson rose to prominence following the controversial “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824, thereby establishing a more participatory approach within the Democratic Party, which sought to broaden political participation among the general populace.

Bank War:

• Opposing the National Bank vehemently, Jackson believed it concentrated too much financial power within a privileged few; he vetoed its rechartering, spurring financial instability and debates about banking's role in the U.S. economy.

Indian Removal Policies:

• Advocated for the forced relocation of Native Americans from their ancestral lands in favor of expansionist policy; this led to the infamous Trail of Tears, where thousands suffered immense hardships and loss of life during the forced relocations.

The Second Great Awakening and Reform Movements

Second Great Awakening:

• A profound revival of religious enthusiasm that fueled various reform movements including abolitionism, women’s rights, and temperance, marking a significant chapter in American sociopolitical engagement.

Successful Reforms:

• Numerous reform movements achieved notable changes, particularly in temperance and public asylum reforms; however, women's rights and abolition efforts faced persistent societal challenges.