History
Jackson - he expanded presidential power, removed Native Americans through the Indian Removal Act, destroyed the national bank, used the spoils system, and faced the Nullification Crisis.
Van Buren -the country faced the Panic of 1837, a major economic depression, and he continued Jackson’s policies, including the Indian Removal Act.
Harrison - he served only one month before dying of pneumonia, making his term the shortest in U.S. history.
Tyler - he became the first vice president to take over after a president’s death, faced conflicts with his own party, and pushed for the annexation of Texas.
Polk - he oversaw the Mexican-American War, achieved major territorial expansion (including California and the Southwest), and established the Oregon boundary with Britain.
Terms (People, Place, Things) to Know for Definitions and multiple-choice questions
1. American System – Henry Clay’s plan to strengthen the U.S. with roads, canals, and a national bank.
2. Missouri Compromise – Law in 1820 that let Missouri enter as a slave state and Maine as a free state; banned slavery north of 36°30′.
3. Monroe Doctrine – U.S. policy warning Europe not to make new colonies in the Americas (1823).
4. Erie Canal – Man-made waterway connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, helping trade and growth in New York.
5. Andrew Jackson – 7th U.S. president known for being a “common man’s” president and for controversial policies toward Native Americans.
6. Corrupt Bargain – The 1824 election deal where John Quincy Adams allegedly made Henry Clay Secretary of State in exchange for support.
7. Spoils System – Giving government jobs to political supporters instead of qualified people.
8. Pet Banks – State banks that got government money after Andrew Jackson ended the national bank.
9. Tariff of Abominations – 1828 tariff that raised taxes on imports and angered the South.
10. Indian Removal Act – 1830 law forcing Native Americans to move west of the Mississippi River.
11. Trail of Tears – The forced march of Cherokee and other tribes to Indian Territory, where many died.
12. Whigs – Political party that opposed Andrew Jackson and supported Congress over the president.
13. Manifest Destiny – Belief that the U.S. was meant to expand west across the continent.
14. Oregon Trail – Route pioneers took from Missouri to Oregon in the 1800s.
15. Santa Fe Trail – Trade route between Missouri and Santa Fe (New Mexico).
16. Mexican-American War – War (1846–1848) between the U.S. and Mexico over Texas and western lands.
17. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Treaty ending the Mexican-American War; gave the U.S. land like California and New Mexico.
18. Gadsden Purchase – 1853 deal where the U.S. bought land from Mexico for a southern railroad (in today’s Arizona and New Mexico).
19. Wilmot Proviso – Proposed law to ban slavery in land won from Mexico (it didn’t pass).
Concepts to Know for Free Response Questions
How did the Indian Removal Act lead to the Trail of Tears?
The Indian Removal Act (1830) forced Native American tribes to move west of the Mississippi River. When they refused, the U.S. Army forced them out, leading to the Trail of Tears, a deadly journey where thousands of Native Americans died from hunger, disease, and harsh conditions.
How did California’s application for statehood increase discord between the North and South?
When California applied as a free state in 1850, it upset the balance between free and slave states. The North supported it because they opposed slavery’s expansion, while the South feared losing political power in Congress—making tensions over slavery worse.
Explain the significance of the Oregon and the Santa Fe Trail.
The Oregon Trail was used by thousands of settlers moving west for land and opportunity, helping expand U.S. territory.
The Santa Fe Trail was a major trade route between the U.S. and Mexico, boosting commerce and helping spread American influence into the Southwest.
Why did President Jackson veto the charter of the national bank?
President Andrew Jackson vetoed the Second Bank of the United States because he thought it gave too much power to wealthy bankers and hurt ordinary people. He believed it was unconstitutional and favored the rich over the common man.