AP U.S. History Unit 4 Vocabulary

Main Themes (1800-1848)

• Expanding role of the U.S. in world affairs:

  • Focus on foreign policy, territorial expansion, and asserting influence in the Western Hemisphere.

• Transformation of society and economy:

  • Market Revolution: Innovations in agriculture, industry, transportation, and communication led to significant economic growth and social changes.

  • Shift from agrarian to more industrialized society.

• Americans coming to terms with growing democratic impulses:

  • Expansion of voting rights, political realignment, debates over the role of government, and social reforms.

Debates: Foreign Policy & Federal Power

Debates continued from the previous unit between Democratic-Republicans and Federalists.

• American relations with foreign powers:

  • Differing views on alliances, trade, and military involvement.

• Scope of federal power:

  • Strict vs. loose constructionism.

American Relations with Foreign Powers: Barbary Pirates

• Context: U.S. paid tribute to Barbary States (North African Islamic states) for protection of merchant ships since the 1780s (Washington & Adams).

  • This was essentially a form of protection money to prevent piracy.

• Jefferson's Stance: Morally opposed to paying bribes.

  • Believed it was wrong to appease extortionists.

  • Ceased payments, leading to attacks on U.S. ships.

  • Sent U.S. Navy to retaliate but eventually negotiated reduced payments.

  • The conflict was not a clear-cut victory, but it demonstrated U.S. resolve.

Scope of Federal Power

• Democratic-Republicans: Strict constructionists.

  • Favored limited government and states' rights.

  • Federal government only has powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

  • Emphasized the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

• Federalists: Loose constructionists.

  • Favored a strong central government.

  • Federal government has more flexibility through the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).

Louisiana Purchase

• Background: France lost Haiti in 1801 due to a revolt.

  • The Haitian Revolution, led by Toussaint Louverture, was a major setback for Napoleon's plans in the Americas.

• Opportunity: Jefferson sought navigation rights on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.

  • Sent James Monroe to France with 2 million.

• Napoleon's Offer: Offered all of Louisiana for 15 million.

  • Napoleon needed money to fund his military campaigns in Europe.

• Monroe's Decision: Bought the territory without consulting Jefferson.

• Jefferson's Dilemma: Violated his strict constructionist principles (no explicit presidential power to buy land).

  • Jefferson struggled with the constitutional implications but ultimately decided the benefits outweighed the risks.

• Jefferson's Justification: Land would:

  • Allow for westward Indian removal.

  • Jefferson believed that Native Americans could be relocated to the new territory, opening up land for white settlers.

  • Cut off European influence.

  • Enable his agrarian vision of yeoman farmers.

  • Jefferson envisioned a nation of independent, self-sufficient farmers as the backbone of American society.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

• Purpose: To explore the Louisiana Purchase; started in 1804.

  • Officially, the expedition was to chart the territory, study its natural resources, and establish relations with Native American tribes.

• Exploration: Traveled up the Missouri River to the Pacific Coast.

  • The expedition faced numerous challenges, including harsh weather, disease, and encounters with hostile tribes.

• Zebulon Pike: Explored and mapped the southern part of the territory in 1806.

  • Pike's explorations provided valuable information about the geography and resources of the Southwest.

• Outcomes:

  • More accurate mapping.

  • Greater geographic and scientific knowledge.

  • Further diplomatic relations with Indians.

  • The expedition helped establish American claims to the Oregon Territory.

Expansion of Federal Power: Supreme Court Decisions

• Chief Justice John Marshall: Key figure in expanding federal power.

  • Marshall's decisions consistently favored the federal government over the states.

  • Marbury v. Madison (1803)

  • McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

• Background: Federalist Congress passed the Judiciary Act, creating 16 new federal judge spots, just before Jefferson took office.

  • The Judiciary Act was an attempt by the Federalists to maintain influence in the judiciary branch.

• Adams' Midnight Appointments: Adams appointed Federalist judges to maintain Federalist influence.

  • These appointments were made in the final hours of Adams' presidency, leading to resentment from the incoming Jefferson administration.

• Jefferson's Reaction: James Madison (Secretary of State) refused to deliver some appointments.

• Court's Decision: Marbury deserved his commission, but the court also declared the Judiciary Act unconstitutional.

  • Marshall ruled that the section of the Judiciary Act that allowed Marbury to bring his case directly to the Supreme Court was unconstitutional.

• Judicial Review: Established the Supreme Court as the final interpreter of the Constitution.

  • This is arguably the most significant power of the Supreme Court, allowing it to shape the meaning of the Constitution over time.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

• Upheld the constitutionality of the Second Bank of the United States.

• Asserted the implied powers of Congress under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

• Federal law trumps state law.

• This case reinforced the supremacy of federal law over state law when the two conflict.

Regional Interests vs. National Concerns

War of 1812

• Causes:

  • British and French seizure of American merchant ships.

  • Both countries were at war and trying to prevent the U.S. from trading with the other.

  • British stirring up Indian resistance in the West.

  • The British provided weapons and support to Native American tribes who were resisting American expansion.

  • British impressment of American sailors.

  • The British Navy forcibly recruited American sailors into their service, claiming they were British deserters.

• Declaration: U.S. declared war on Britain in June 1812.

  • The declaration was largely driven by the War Hawks, a group of Democratic-Republican congressmen who favored war.

• Party Lines: Democratic-Republicans supported the war; Federalists opposed it.

  • The Federalists saw the war as unnecessary and harmful to American trade.

• Hartford Convention (1814): Federalists discussed secession due to opposition to the war.

  • The convention was a major embarrassment for the Federalists and contributed to their decline.

• Outcomes:

  • Intense nationalism.

  • Demise of the Federalist Party.

  • "Era of Good Feelings" (national unity under Democratic-Republicans).

  • Illustrated U.S. weaknesses (no national bank, poor infrastructure).

  • The war highlighted the need for a stronger national government and better transportation infrastructure.

Henry Clay's American System

• Purpose: To unify the American economy.

  • Clay believed that a strong national economy would benefit all regions of the country.

• Components:

  • Federally funded internal improvements (roads, canals).

  • The goal was to improve transportation and make it easier to move goods and people across the country.

  • Protective tariffs (taxes on imported goods).

  • Tariffs were intended to protect American industries from foreign competition.

  • Second Bank of the United States.

  • The bank was intended to regulate the national currency and provide credit to businesses.

• Madison's Veto: Vetoed internal improvements due to concerns about expanding federal power that would disadvantage the South.

  • Madison believed that the Constitution did not give the federal government the power to fund internal improvements.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

• Issue: Missouri's application for statehood as a slave state.

  • Missouri's admission as a slave state would upset the balance between free and slave states in the Senate.

• Talmadge Amendment: Proposed prohibiting slavery in Missouri, causing controversy.

  • The amendment was fiercely opposed by Southern states, who saw it as a threat to their way of life.

• Importance of Senate Balance: Maintaining balance between free and slave states in the Senate.

  • Equal representation in the Senate was seen as crucial to protecting the interests of both regions.

• Compromise: Proposed by Henry Clay.

  • Missouri admitted as a slave state.

  • Maine admitted as a free state.

  • 36°30′ line: Southern border of Missouri would be the dividing line for future free/slave territory (except Missouri).

  • This line was intended to prevent future conflicts over slavery, but it ultimately proved unsustainable.

America on the World Stage

• Goals: Firm up boundaries and gain more territory.

Treaties & Territorial Gains

• James Monroe: President in 1816 (Democratic-Republican).

• John Quincy Adams: Negotiated treaties in London.

  • Established U.S.-Canadian border at the 49th parallel.

  • Established joint U.S.-British occupation of Oregon Territory.

• Adams-Onís Treaty (1819): With Spain.

  • Spain sold Florida to the U.S.

  • Established the southern border of the United States.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

• Context: South American countries gained independence from Spain.

  • The U.S. was concerned about European powers trying to reassert control over these newly independent nations.

• Established the Western Hemisphere as a U.S. sphere of influence, free of European influence.

  • The Monroe Doctrine became a cornerstone of American foreign policy.

Market Revolution

• Definition: Linking Northern industries with Western and Southern farms due to advances in:

  • Agriculture

  • Industry

  • Communication

  • Transportation

Technological Advancements

• Cotton Gin: Revolutionized Southern agriculture.

  • Led to increased cotton production and a greater demand for slave labor.

• Spinning Machine: Revolutionized Northern industry.

  • Sped up the production of textiles and led to the growth of factories.

• Interchangeable Parts: Led to American system of manufacturing.

  • Water-powered machines

  • Division of labor

  • Mass production

  • This system allowed for the efficient production of goods on a large scale.

Transportation Revolution

• Steamboats: Enabled upriver and downriver trade.

  • Made it easier and cheaper to transport goods on rivers.

• Canals: Erie Canal launched canal-building boom.

  • Connected the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, opening up new markets for Western farmers.

• Railroads: Replaced canals in the 1820s and 1830s.

  • Provided faster and more efficient transportation than canals.

Societal Changes

• Northern Industrial Cities: Exploded in population and diversity.

  • This growth led to overcrowding, pollution, and other social problems.

• Immigration (1820-1840): 2 million immigrants, mainly from Germany and Ireland.

  • Eastern seaboard: Cheap labor for Northern industry.

  • Westward migration: Homesteads and farms.

  • Immigrants often faced discrimination and prejudice.

• Tenements: Overcrowded housing for the laboring poor.

• Cultural Institutions: Re-established by immigrants.

  • Immigrants established churches, schools, and other institutions to preserve their culture and language.

• Growing Middle Class: Businessmen, shopkeepers, journalists, doctors, lawyers.

  • Disposable income spent on leisure.

  • The middle class enjoyed a higher standard of living than previous generations.

• Cult of Domesticity: Women's identity revolved around childbearing and making home a haven.

  • Separate spheres for men and women.

  • Women were expected to be pious, pure, submissive, and domestic.

Expansion of Democracy

• Voting Rights: Initially limited to property-owning white males.

• Panic of 1819: First major recession.

  • This economic downturn led to widespread unemployment and hardship.

  • Led to demands for broader voting rights.

• Frontier States: Established universal male suffrage.

• Eastern States: Lowered or eliminated property qualifications by 1825.

Political Realignment

• Election of 1824: Split in the Democratic-Republican Party.

  • National Republicans (loose constructionists).

  • Democrats (strict constructionists).

• Candidates: Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay.

• Corrupt Bargain: Clay supported Adams, who then named Clay as Secretary of State.

• Election of 1828: Democrats (Jackson) vs. National Republicans (Adams).

Andrew Jackson and Federal Power

Democrats vs. Whigs

• Democrats: Led by Andrew Jackson.

• Whigs: Led by Henry Clay.

• Main Disagreement: Scope of federal power.

Tariff of Abominations (1828) & Nullification Crisis

• Tariff of 1828: Raised import duties up to 50%.

• Southern Opposition: Called it the "Tariff of Abominations".

• John C. Calhoun: Jackson's Vice President, developed the doctrine of nullification.

• Nullification: States could determine the constitutionality of federal laws and nullify them.

• South Carolina's Response: Nullified the tariff and threatened secession.

• Force Bill: Gave Jackson authority to use federal troops to enforce federal law.

• Compromise: Tariff was lowered, but South Carolina nullified the Force Bill.

Bank War

• Second Bank of the United States: Established as part of Henry Clay's American System.

• Jackson's Veto: Jackson vetoed the recharter bill, calling the bank a monster that favored the elite.

Indian Removal

• Indian Removal Act of 1830.

• Cherokee Nation: Declared itself a sovereign nation in Georgia.

• Worcester v. Georgia: Supreme Court ruled that Georgia did not have the right to impose state laws within Cherokee boundaries.

• Treaty of New Echota (1835): Exchanged Cherokee land for territory west of the Mississippi.

• Trail of Tears (1838): Forced removal of Cherokee.

Distinct American Culture & Reform

• Goal: Develop a distinct American identity.

• Areas: Language, philosophy, art, and religion.

Literature & Language

• Noah Webster: Published the American Dictionary of the English Language (1828).

  • Standardized spelling and pronunciation of American English.

Transcendentalism

• Influence: European romanticism; belief in human perfectibility.

• Emphasis: Transcendent power and beauty of nature.

• Key Figures: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau (Walden).

• Supported Moralist Movements: Abolition, temperance, women's suffrage.

Utopian Communities

• Influence: European intellectuals and American values of democracy/equality.

• Oneida Community (1848): Complex marriage, communal living.

Second Great Awakening

• Camp Meetings: Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians organized evangelical preaching events.

• Egalitarian: Included whites, blacks, enslaved and free people, men and women.

• Charles Finney: Emphasized moral reformation of society.

Temperance Movement

• Goal: Abstinence from alcohol.

• American Temperance Society (1826): Founded by businessmen and clergy.

Mormonism

• Founder: Joseph Smith (claimed to receive visions).

• Book of Mormon: Translated from gold plates.

• Polygamy: Led to persecution.

• Brigham Young: Led Mormons to Utah Territory (theocracy on Great Salt Lake).

Abolitionism

• Early Movement: Confined to free blacks and Quakers.

• William Lloyd Garrison: Published The Liberator (1831).

• American Anti-Slavery Society (1833).

• Northern Opposition: Merchants feared effects on trade; workers feared job losses.

Women's Rights

• Connection with Abolitionism: Women realized their limitations in advocating for abolition.

• Seneca Falls Convention (1848): First women's rights conference.

  • Declaration of Sentiments: Called for equality in education, legal rights, and voting.

The South

• Plantation Expansion: Westward expansion led to growth in plantations and profits.

• Planter Aristocracy: Protected profits and way of life through discipline towards enslaved people.

• Slave Culture: Songs expressed collective despair and hopes.

• Fear of Slave Uprisings: Haunted by the Haitian Revolution.

• Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831): Increased fear and harsher restrictions on slaves.