Jeffersonian Era (APUSH) #chapter7apush

The Rise of Cultural Nationalism:

    After the revolution, Americans wanted to build a unique national culture separate from Europe. Jeffersonian Republicans promoted the idea that the US should be a “nation of independent farmers” whose civic virtue strengthened democracy.

Key developments:

  • public education movement:

    • Jefferson and other Republicans believed a republic required informed citizens

    • many states proposed tax-supported public schools, though implementation was limited

  • national literature

    • Washington Irving

    • Herman Melville helped developed unique American stories

  • American Religion:

    • Second Great Awakening (1790s-1800s)

      • revivalist religious movement stressing individual salvation

      • spread rapidly through camp meetings in the South West

      • encouraged social reform & church membership, democratic participation

Stirrings of Industrialism:

    Although Jefferson envisioned an agricultural society, the market revolution begun during his presidency. Industrialism tied North to wage labor & manufacturing and tied South to slavery expansion. It also increased regional economic differences → long term cause of Civil War.

Eli Whitney & Tech Change

  • invented cotton gin (1793)

    • dramatically increased cotton production

    • expanded slavery in the South

  • pioneered interchangeable parts

    • used in muskets

    • laid groundwork for factory system

Early Industrialization

  • factory system began in New England

    • Textile Mills relied on water power

    • increased wage labor and early industrial towns

Transportation Growth

  • early planning for internal improvements such as turnpikes and canals

  • (early planning for Erie Canal in 1820s)

Jefferson the President (1801-1809):

Jefferson’s election marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in US history (federalist → Democratic-Republican)

Jefferson’s Goals:

  • reduce federal power

  • reduce military spending

  • cut taxes

  • pay down national debt

  • support agrarianism

Policies

  • reduced size of the army and navy

  • eliminated internal taxes (Whisky tax)

  • kept Hamilton’s national bank to maintain stability

Judiciary Conflict

  • federalists tried to maintain influence through courts

  • led to Marbury v. Madison (1803) → Judicial review

Doubling the National Domain:

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

  • US purchased Louisiana Territory from France for $15 Million

  • doubled size of US

  • gained control of Mississippi River & New Orleans (major trade port)

  • Jefferson struggled with constitutional interpretation

    • he used to be a strict constructionist, now he’s turning into implied powers

    • ultimately justified purchase through treaty power

Effects of L.P

  • strengthened national unity

  • encouraged westward expansion

  • increased conflicts with Native Americans

  • boosted agrarian vision of independent farmers

Expansion and War (Pre-war of 1812):

Causes of tension:

  • Britain and France were at war (Napoleonic Wars)

  • Both targeted American Shipping

British Policies:

  • impressment: British navy forcefully captured American sailors into service

  • seized American ships

Jefferson’s Response:

  • Embargo Act 1807:

    • banned all American exports

    • pressured Britain and France

    • economically devastating to US & New England merchants

    • increased domestic manufacturing

The War of 1812 (1812-1815)

Causes:

  • British impressment

  • interference with trade

  • British support for Native resistance in NW Territory

  • rising American Nationalism

  • War Hawks in congress (congressmen who wanted war: Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun)

    • Henry Clay: emerging political leader, pushed for war & national economic development (American System)

War Events

  • early US military failures

  • British invasion and burning of Washington (1814)

  • successful defense at Baltimore (Fort McHenry → “Star Spangled Banner”)

  • major victory at Battle of New Orleans by Andrew Jackson

Effects

  • surge in nationalism

  • decline of federalist Party (Hartford convention)

  • increased American manufacturing (British blockade forced domestic production)

  • strengthened US independence in foreign affairs