study guide

Page 1: Key Concepts and Events

Advice and Governance

• A body of advisers not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution developed under George Washington:

  • This body is known as the Cabinet.

  • Key figures included Thomas Jefferson as Secretary of State, and Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury.

War of 1812 and Foreign Policy

• A crucial foreign policy goal for many "war hawks" involved:

  • Expanding U.S. territory, particularly aspirations towards Canada.

Influence of the Federalist Party

• Despite the weakening of the Federalist Party post-Jefferson's election:

  • Federalist philosophy persisted largely through its judicial rulings, especially with John Marshall at the helm of the Supreme Court.

Bill of Rights

• Rights not included in the Bill of Rights:

  • The option life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness reflects more of a philosophical ideal than a specific legal right.

Treaty of Ghent

• Terms of the Treaty of Ghent (War of 1812) provided:

  • A cessation of hostilities and return to pre-war boundaries, with no territorial gains for either side.

Page 2: Political Ideologies and Agreements

Jefferson and Kentucky Resolutions

• Jefferson's Kentucky resolutions argued that:

  • States could nullify federal laws deemed unconstitutional, promoting the ideology of states' rights.

Missouri Compromise

• Provided for:

  • Admittance of Maine as a free state and Missouri as a slave state, while prohibiting slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of Missouri's southern boundary.

Washington’s Foreign Policy

• Guided by:

  • The principle of neutrality in European conflicts to avoid entanglement.

Federalist Political Philosophy

• Key beliefs included:

  • A strong central government controlled by the educated elite.

Monroe Doctrine

• Asserted:

  • The U.S. would not tolerate further European colonization in the Americas, asserting a protective stance over the Western Hemisphere.

Page 3: Impacts of Policies

Monroe Doctrine Immediate Effects

• Immediate effects included:

  • The establishment of the U.S. as a dominant power in the Americas, deterring European intervention.

Alien and Sedition Acts Targets

• Primary targets:

  • Opponents of the Federalist government, particularly immigrants and political dissenters.

Jefferson vs. Hamilton on the Bank

• Disagreement revolved around:

  • Whether the Constitution allowed for the creation of a national bank.

Era of Good Feelings Disruption

• Disruptions stemmed from:

  • Economic issues post-War of 1812, including the Panic of 1819 and sectional disputes over slavery.

Embargo Act by Jefferson

• Key provision:

  • Stopped all foreign trade to protect American interests and assert independence from Britain.

Louisiana Purchase Concerns

• Jefferson's major concern:

  • Whether the purchase was constitutional and aligned with his small government philosophy.

Page 4: Judicial Review and Territory Acquisition

Marbury v. Madison

• Established:

  • The principle of judicial review, affirming the Supreme Court's authority to invalidate laws contrary to the Constitution.

Andrew Jackson in Florida

• Resulted in:

  • Permanent acquisition of Florida by the U.S., following military actions prompted by pressures from Spain.

Election of 1800

• Noteworthy for:

  • The peaceful transfer of power between federalist and republican ideals.

Whiskey Rebellion Significance

• Demonstrated:

  • The authority of the federal government over states in maintaining order and enforcing law.

Jeffersonian Beliefs

• Democratic-Republicans championed:

  • A government influenced by the common people's voice, focusing on agrarian values.

Reversal of Federalist Policies by Jefferson

• Quickly overturned policies that limited government and favored federal control, expanding state rights.

Hamilton's Financial Policies

• Aimed to:

  • Stabilize the economy and establish a national credit system through various fiscal initiatives.

Page 5: Post-War Era Changes

Domestic Consequences of the War of 1812

• One significant consequence:

  • A boost in American manufacturing due to wartime blockades leading to reduced reliance on imports.

Jefferson and Military Forces

• Reverse of opposition was due to:

  • The need to maintain a strong military presence amid external threats, especially from Europe.

Key Additions to Federal Government

• Significant demands included:

  • Establishing a strong Cabinet and a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

Undeclared Hostilities with France

• Involvement stemmed from:

  • French aggression towards American shipping during a period of rising tensions with Europe.

McCulloch v. Maryland

• Justice Marshall's ruling upheld:

  • The constitutionality of a national bank, asserting federal supremacy over states.

Page 6: Historical Assessments

Battle of New Orleans

• Proved meaningless because:

  • The peace treaty had already been signed, rendering military victory irrelevant.

Precedents Set by Chase Impeachment Failure

• Established:

  • Impeachment was not a tool for political opposition but reserved for serious offenses.

Page 7: Matching Events to Effects

Event to Effect Chart

• Key historical events and their repercussions:

  • Louisiana Purchase: Major territorial expansion for the U.S.

  • Whiskey Rebellion: Strengthened federal authority.

  • Monroe's Inauguration: Signaled a new era of political optimism.

  • Jay's Treaty: Stabilized relations with Britain despite controversy.

  • Pinckney's Treaty: Opened Mississippi River to American trade.

Page 8: Political Organizations and Key Figures

Political Evolution

• Political parties were not originally envisioned in the founding documents but emerged from ideological divides.

• Key figures include:

  • Henry Knox: First Secretary of War.

  • James Madison: Important drafter of the Bill of Rights.

Page 9: Ideological Beliefs

Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans

• Examining contrasting beliefs over governance and economic policy:

  • Federalists (A) favored a strong central government, while Democratic-Republicans (B) emphasized states' rights.

Page 10: True and False Statements

Analyzing Historical Statements

• Many true/false assertions about the Era:

  • Acknowledging key events such as the Missouri Compromise and the implications of the War of 1812 helps in understanding political shifts.