Untitled Flashcards Set

Peaceful Revolution: Refers to the Election of 1800, which was considered a peaceful revolution because of the transfer of power from the Federalists to the Democratic-Republicans without violence. 

The Louisiana Purchase: The Louisiana Purchase (1803) was a treaty in which the U.S. bought land from France for $15 million to secure trade control of the Mississippi River and New Orleans. The Mississippi River and New Orleans were a crucial part of commerce for the Americans, and because of it, they were desperate to gain access/control of it.  France sold it to fund wars, and the deal doubled U.S. territory, fueling westward expansion.

Federalist Conspiracy: The "Federalist Conspiracy" was tied to the political tensions following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Federalists, particularly in New England, were alarmed by the acquisition because it threatened their political power. They believed the new western territories would align with Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republicans, strengthening their rivals. Some extreme Federalists, led by figures like Timothy Pickering, allegedly plotted to form a "Northern Confederacy" by having New England, New York, and possibly other northern states secede from the Union. To make this plan work, they sought the support of Aaron Burr, who had his own ambitions after losing favor in national politics. The plan was for Burr to win the governorship of New York in 1804, to unite that state with the New England states, and then lead this group of states to secede from the nation.

John Marshall: John Marshall (1755–1835) was the fourth Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, serving from 1801 to 1835. He played a key role in shaping the U.S. legal system and strengthening the federal government. Marshall’s decisions established the Supreme Court as an equal branch of government and promoted a strong, unified nation. His legacy shaped American law and government for generations.

Judicial Review: Judicial Review is the power of courts to examine laws, executive actions, and policies to determine whether they are constitutional. If a law or action violates the Constitution, courts can declare it invalid. Judicial review ensures that no law or government action can override the principles set by the Constitution, safeguarding citizens' rights and maintaining the rule of law.

Marbury vs Madison 1803: The first major case decided by Marshall put him in direct conflict with President Jefferson. Just before leaving office, President John Adams made several “midnight appointments” of Federalists as judges. However, their commissions were not formally delivered before Jefferson took office. Jefferson wanted to block these appointments, so he ordered the new secretary of state, James Madison, not to deliver the commissions. One of the Adams appointees, William Marbury, sued for his commission. The case of Marbury v. Madison went to the Supreme Court in 1803. Marshall ruled that, According to the Judiciary Act passed by Congress in 1789, Marbury had a right to his commission. However, Marshall said the Judiciary Act of 1789 had given the Court greater power than the Constitution allowed. Therefore, the law was unconstitutional and Marbury would not receive his commission. In effect, Marshall sacrificed what would have been a small Federalist gain (the appointment of Marbury) for a much larger, long-term judicial victory. By ruling a law of Congress to be unconstitutional, Marshall established the doctrine of judicial review. From this point on, the Supreme Court would exercise the power to decide whether an act of Congress or the president was allowed by the Constitution. The Supreme Court could now overrule the actions of the other two branches of the federal government.

Fletcher v Peck 1810: In a case involving land fraud in Georgia, Marshall concluded that a state could not pass legislation invalidating a contract. This was the first time that the Supreme Court declared a state law to be unconstitutional and invalid. (In Marbury v. Madison, the Court ruled a federal law unconstitutional.) The ruling was important for strengthening the idea of a stable, constitutional legal system where contracts and property rights were protected.

Martin v Hunter’s Lease 1816: The Supreme Court established that it had jurisdiction over state courts in cases involving constitutional rights.

Dartmouth College vs Woodward 1819: This case involved a law in New Hampshire that changed Dartmouth College from a privately chartered college into a public institution. The Marshall Court struck down the state law as unconstitutional, arguing that a contract for a private corporation could not be altered by the state.

McCulloch v Madison 1819: Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of the United States, which was located in Maryland. Marshall ruled that a state could not tax a federal institution because “the power to tax is the power to destroy” and federal laws are supreme over state laws. In addition, Marshall settled the long-running debate over the constitutionality of the national bank. Using a loose interpretation of the Constitution, Marshall ruled that, even though no clause in the Constitution specifically mentions a national bank, the Constitution gave the federal government the implied power to create one.

Implied power: Implied powers refer to powers that are not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution but are considered necessary for the government to carry out its expressed (or enumerated) powers. Implied powers allow the government to adapt to changing needs and circumstances, giving it flexibility beyond the strict letter of the Constitution. This has enabled the U.S. government to expand and address new challenges over time.

Cohens v. Virginia 1821: A pair of brothers named Cohen was convicted in Virginia of illegally selling tickets for a lottery authorized by Congress for Washington, D.C. While Marshall and the Court upheld the conviction, they established the principle that the Supreme Court could review a state court’s decision involving any of the powers of the federal government.

Gibbons v Ogden 1821: Could the state of New York grant a monopoly to a steamboat company if that action conflicted with a charter authorized by Congress? In ruling that the New York monopoly was unconstitutional, Marshall established the federal government’s broad control of interstate commerce.

Barbary Pirates: The Barbary Pirates were a group of pirates and privateers from the Barbary Coast of North Africa, including the states of Algiers, Tripoli, Tunis, and Morocco, who threatened European and American ships in the Mediterranean during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. They demanded tribute from European nations and the United States in exchange for safe passage, and if the tribute was not paid, they captured ships and enslaved or ransomed their crews. Initially, the United States paid these bribes to avoid attacks, but when the pirates increased their demands, President Thomas Jefferson refused to comply and instead sent the U.S. Navy to fight them in the First Barbary War (1801-1805), which ended with a U.S. victory and a treaty that reduced piracy in the Mediterranean. After the War of 1812, the U.S. launched the Second Barbary War (1815), decisively defeating the pirates and effectively ending their control over Mediterranean trade. These conflicts marked the first major military engagement by the United States abroad and helped establish the U.S. Navy’s role in protecting American interests overseas, leading to the end of piracy in the Mediterranean.

Chesapeake – Leopard Affair: Refers to an incident in which in 1807, only a few miles off the coast of Virginia, the British warship Leopard fired on the U.S. warship Chesapeake. Three Americans were killed, and four others were taken captive and impressed into the British navy. This angered Americans and it almost led to war. 

Embargo Act: (1807) Prohibited American merchant ships from sailing to any foreign port. 

This Act hoped that the British would stop violating the rights of neutral nations rather than lose U.S. trade. The embargo, however, backfired and brought greater economic hardship to the United States than to Britain. The British were determined to control the seas at all costs, and they had little difficulty substituting supplies from South America for U.S. goods. The embargo’s effect on the U.S. economy, however, was devastating, especially for the merchant marine and shipbuilders of New England. So bad was the depression that a movement developed in the New England states to secede from the Union. 

Nonintercouse Act of 1809: Provided that Americans could now trade with all nations except Britain and France.

Macon’s Bill No. 2: (1810)  If either Britain or France formally agreed to respect U.S. neutral rights at sea, then the United States would prohibit trade with that nation’s foe.

War of 1812: The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain that lasted from 1812 to 1815. It was caused by several factors, including British interference with American trade, the impressment of American sailors into the British navy, and the desire of some Americans to expand into British-controlled Canada.

War Hawk: War Hawks were a group of young, aggressive members of Congress, mostly from the western and southern United States, who strongly advocated for war with Britain leading up to the War of 1812. They were mostly motivated by a desire to defend American honor, expand U.S. territory, and respond to British actions that they believed were harming the nation.

Quids: The Quids were a faction of the Democratic-Republican Party in the early 1800s, led by figures like John Randolph of Roanoke. They were conservative, strict interpreters of the constitutions, traditionalist wing that opposed the more expansive, nationalist policies of figures like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison during their presidencies.

Impressment: The practice of forcibly recruiting sailors into military service, particularly by the British Navy in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was a major point of conflict between the United States and Britain, especially leading up to the War of 1812.

Battle of Lake Erie, or Lake Erie in the Amsco book: The Battle of Lake Erie took place on September 10, 1813, during the War of 1812 and was a pivotal naval engagement between the United States and Great Britain. It occurred on Lake Erie near Ohio and was crucial to securing American control of the lake and boosting morale in the U.S. during the war.

Oliver Hazard Perry:  A U.S. naval officer best known for his decisive victory in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. His success in this battle played a key role in securing American control of Lake Erie and significantly boosted American morale.

Battle of the Thames: A significant battle fought on October 5, 1813, during the War of 1812. It took place in what is now Ontario, Canada, and resulted in a decisive American victory over British and Native American forces. The battle played a crucial role in weakening British influence in the Northwest Territory and securing American control over much of the region. Tecumseh was killed during the battle, bringing a major blow to the Native American resistance in the region, and weakening it. Also boosted American morale, and General Harrison became a national hero, later running for president. 

Battle of Lake Champlain: Also known as the Battle of Plattsburgh) was a significant naval and land battle fought on September 11, 1814, during the War of 1812. It took place near Plattsburgh, New York, along the shores of Lake Champlain, and was a decisive American victory that helped prevent a British invasion of the northern United States.The Battle of Lake Champlain was one of the final major battles of the War of 1812 and is considered one of the key American victories that helped maintain U.S. sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also marked the last significant military effort by the British to invade the United States through the northern frontier. The battle reinforced the importance of naval power in defending American interests during the war.

Thomas Macdonough:  A U.S. naval officer best known for his victory in the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. His successful command in this battle was a crucial turning point in the war, helping to secure the northern frontier of the United States and prevent a British invasion.

General Andrew Jackson:  A prominent U.S. military leader and the 7th president of the United States. He is best known for his leadership in the War of 1812, particularly his decisive victory in the Battle of New Orleans, which made him a national hero. Jackson’s military successes and populist political style played a key role in shaping both American history and the nation's political landscape during the early 19th century.

Battle of Horseshoe Bend: The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was a decisive battle fought on March 27, 1814, during the Creek War, which was part of the broader conflict of the War of 1812. The battle took place in present-day Alabama and was a significant victory for the United States and its allies, particularly in the struggle against the Red Stick Creeks, a faction of the Creek Nation. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend was a turning point in the Creek War and in the history of U.S. expansion into Native American territories. It is often seen as a precursor to Jackson’s later military and political career, and it had a lasting impact on Native American tribes in the southeastern United States, particularly through the significant land losses suffered by the Creeks.

Battle of New Orleans: A pivotal battle in the War of 1812, fought on January 8, 1815, between the United States and the British Empire. It was one of the final major conflicts of the war and resulted in a decisive American victory, even though the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, had already been signed on December 24, 1814. News of the treaty had not yet reached the combatants.

Treaty of Ghent: The peace treaty that officially ended the War of 1812 between the United States and the British Empire. Signed on December 24, 1814, in Ghent, Belgium, the treaty restored relations between the two nations to their status before the war, meaning that no territory was gained or lost by either side, and many of the issues that had caused the war were left unresolved.

Rush – Bagot Agreement: The agreement strictly limited naval armament on the Great Lakes. In time, the agreement was extended to place limits on border fortifications as well. Ultimately, the border between the United States and Canada was to become the longest unfortified border in the world.

Treaty of 1818: Improved relations between the United States and Britain continued in a treaty that provided for (1) shared fishing rights off the coast of Newfoundland; (2) joint occupation of the Oregon Territory for ten years; and (3) the setting of the northern limits of the Louisiana Territory at the 49th parallel, thus establishing the western U.S.-Canada boundary line.

Florida Purchase Treaty: An agreement between the United States and Spain, signed on February 22, 1819, that ceded the Florida Territory to the United States for $5 million. The treaty also settled border disputes between the U.S. and Spanish territories in North America. Set a precedent for future U.S. territorial expansion through diplomacy and negotiation, rather than war. 

Many Americans were interested in acquiring Florida, as it had become a refuge for Native American tribes and runaway slaves, and was seen as a threat to U.S. expansion.

The U.S. had also been concerned about Spanish control over Florida, which was strategically important due to its location along the Gulf of Mexico and its proximity to U.S. territories.

Jackson’s invasion of Florida pressured Spain to negotiate the cession of the territory.

The Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine, issued on December 2, 1823, was a key foreign policy statement by President James Monroe that established a long-standing principle in U.S. diplomacy. It warned European powers against interfering in the Western Hemisphere and asserted that any attempt by European nations to colonize or influence the Americas would be viewed as a hostile act against the United States. It marked the beginning of the United States' role as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere and set the stage for future American involvement in Latin America.