Key Notes on U.S. History (1800-1877)

Overview of Early 19th Century America

  • In 1800, the U.S. was a weak nation in North America among European powers.
  • European powers included:
    • Spain: Dominated most territory in North America, but lost control due to empire's decline.
    • France: Controlled Haiti and sold Louisiana to the U.S.
    • British Canada: Sparsely populated.
    • Russia: Dominated fur trade in Alaska.

Demographics and Economy in 1800

  • The U.S. experienced major population growth of 2 million from 1800 to 1810.
  • Economic characteristics:
    • Intense westward immigration after 1790 led to new states.
    • Cities utilized the Mississippi River for trade.
    • In 1810, 84% of Americans were involved in agriculture:
    • Southern economy:
      • Dominated by tobacco and rice.
      • Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793, leading to a cotton boom.
      • Cotton became dominant southern crop.
      • Increased demand for slave labor and promoted northern industrialization.
    • Northern economy was more diverse:
      • Agriculture included livestock and grains.
      • 5% of Americans lived in major cities.

Industrialization

  • Samuel Slater escaped England and brought factory designs to America, establishing cotton-spinning factories in New England.

Jefferson's Presidency (1801-1809)

  • Goals upon entering office included:
    • Reducing the size and cost of government.
    • Repealing key Federalist policies, including the Alien and Sedition Acts.
    • Eliminating national debt.
    • Maintaining international peace.
  • Tariffs imposed on imported goods.

Adams' Midnight Appointments

  • Before leaving office, Adams signed the Judiciary Act of 1801, creating new federal courts filled with Federalists.
  • John Marshall, appointed as Chief Justice, would become a pivotal figure in the Supreme Court.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
  • Established the principle of judicial review when the court ruled against Marbury in his appointment dispute.

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

  • France, under Napoleon, offered to sell Louisiana for $15 million after losing interest due to wars and the Haitian revolution.
  • Increased tensions with Indian tribes as Americans pushed westward, leading to resistance from tribes like those led by Tecumseh.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

  • Commissioned to explore the newly acquired Louisiana territory and determine if the Missouri River connected to the Pacific Ocean.

Barbary Wars

  • North African Barbary states demanded tribute from U.S. trade ships.
  • Jefferson built small gunboats and negotiated through force, leading to a peace treaty.

Political Changes and War of 1812

  • Jefferson's foreign policy faced challenges with impressment and ship seizures by England and France, leading to the Embargo Act (1807) which hurt the U.S. economy.
  • Madison continued the issues from Jefferson's presidency, leading to the War of 1812:
    • Aimed to defend against British aggression and territorial expansion.
    • Significant events included the burning of Washington D.C. and the Battle of New Orleans led by Andrew Jackson.

War Hawks

  • Congressional leaders like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun pushed for war
  • The war was poorly managed initially but eventually showed American resilience.

Rise of Political Parties

  • The decline of Federalists occurred post-war, leading to Republican dominance.
  • Political participation increased, leading to the emergence of Jacksonian democracy in the 1820s and 1830s.

Jacksonian Democracy

  • Focused on the common man and utilized party organization effectively.
  • Promoted state rights while opposing federal intervention in state affairs.
  • Spoils System implemented, focusing on loyalty over experience.

Expansion and the Indian Removal Policy

  • Jackson advocated for the Indian Removal Act of 1830, leading to the Trail of Tears.
  • Conflicts in the South involved the growing tension over slavery, especially in state rights discussions.

Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion

  • Definition: Belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across the continent.
  • Influential figures included John O’Sullivan, who coined the term in 1845.
  • Westward exploration continued with routes like the Oregon Trail and figures like Lewis and Clark.
  • The Mexican-American War led to significant territorial gains for the U.S. through treaties like Guadalupe Hidalgo.

The Civil War Prelude

  • Growing divides concerning slavery and territorial expansion created tensions.
  • The political climate shifted with the rise of the Republican party, opposing the extension of slavery into new territories.
  • Major events leading to the Civil War include the Fugitive Slave Act, Dred Scott Decision, and Bleeding Kansas.

Conclusion: Reconstruction and Impact

  • After the Civil War, America faced major questions surrounding the treatment of the South and former slaves from 1865 to 1877.
  • Key issues included voting rights, economic rebuilding, and establishing civil rights.
  • The conflict significantly shaped the political landscape, leading to the rise of the federal government and changes in Southern state governance.
  • 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments were crucial to establishing the legal framework for civil rights.

Summary of the Reconstruction Era

  • Lincoln’s leniency and Johnson’s presidency led to complexities in addressing Southern grievances and the rights of newly freed slaves.
  • The resulting Black Codes and subsequent civil rights legislation highlighted ongoing tensions between state and federal powers.