Who was the president during the "Era of Good Feelings," and what brought it to an end?
James Monroe
Panic of 1819 and sectional debates over slavery
What were the terms of the Transcontinental Treaty?
America gained Florida for $5 million
Adams clarified the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase: It went from the Gulf Coast North to the Pacific Ocean along the 42nd parallel
How was Andrew Jackson's background different from other presidents?
First president from a Western state
The first with no prestigious background
What was the Tariff of Abominations, and what did it lead to?
Raised duties on English textiles coming into America, which Southerners needed
Nullification: A state should have the right to nullify/veto an unconstitutional federal law
What were the three precedents set by the Anti-Masonic Party?
First third party
First to have a national nominating convention
First to declare a platform outlining specific policies
What were the three terms of the Missouri Compromise?
Missouri was admitted as a slave state
Maine was admitted as a free state
Parallel at 36 degrees 30’ (minutes/latitude): Dividing line for slavery in the Louisiana Territory, slavery allowed below the line, but not above
Why was the Monroe Doctrine created, and what were its terms?
To prevent Spain from trying to colonize America after losing its colonies
1. The American continents were not to be considered subjects for future colonization by European powers
2. The US would oppose any attempt by European powers to impose their political system in the Western Hemisphere
3. The US would not interfere with the remaining European colonies
4. The US would keep out of the European internal affairs/wars
How was Jackson's inauguration different from that of other presidents?
He was dressed in black to mourn his wife
He invited his admirers into the White House to celebrate, and the entire thing quickly became chaotic
What were the two sides of the Webster-Hayne Debate?
Robert Y. Hayne (SC): The states had created the union; states could ignore/jettison laws they did not like
Daniel Webster (MA): The people had created the union (special ratifying conventions); the union is inseparable, and SC was essentially igniting civil war
What important event occurred during Martin Van Buren's presidency?
The Panic of 1837
The largest depression of American history up to that point
British businesses lowered their demand for American cotton, plummeting the price of it
Banks called in loans from farmers/businesses that couldn’t pay, resulting in many foreclosures
40% of new state banks failed, and ⅓ of laborers became unemployed
There was no surplus to give to the states, taking away funding for internal improvements
Who created the "American System," and what are the major components?
Henry Clay
National Bank, federal tariffs, federally financed roads, bridges, and canals
Describe Jacksonian Democracy. (What did Jackson stand for?)
Jackson stood for states’ rights, individual liberty, an expanded military, and white supremacy
Ordinary people became invested in politics
Planters worried about a growing democratic spirit
Jackson enhanced the power and prestige of the presidency
White male citizens were given equal status and rights, without regard to their wealth and background (rare at the time)
Limits to liberalism of the era: Women and Black men
What system in the executive office did Jackson introduce?
Spoils system
Give a brief description of the Nullification Crisis?
Tariff of 1832 lowered the rates on some items, but not textiles or iron
The South Carolina Convention nullified the tariffs of 1828/1832
They threatened secession if the federal government tried to use force to collect taxes
Jackson argued that nullification favored disunion, and disunion was treason
Force Bill from Congress authorized Jackson to use the army to get compliance from SC and collect the tariff duties
Jackson asked Senator Henry Clay to intervene; he agreed, and a compromise was made
A bill lowered the tariff incrementally, taking away Calhoun’s support platform
List at least three important aspects of Jackson's legacy.
Transformational president during a transformational time
Forged a Democratic coalition made up of poor farmers, the working class, laborers, and German/Irish immigrants
Carved out a spot in politics for the ordinary person
Ended the Nullification Crisis successfully and nonviolently
Paid off the national debt
Presided over a growing white man’s democracy
Name two of the four major court cases covered under judicial nationalism and their results.
Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee (1816)/ Cohens v. Virginia (1821): The Constitution could remain the supreme law of the land only if the Supreme Court could review/overturn state court decisions
Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819): The Supreme Court actively limited the states’ power over corporations
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819): Upheld the implied powers of the Constitution, emphasized the supremacy of federal law
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824): The Supreme Court affirmed the right of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce
What year did Jackson win his first election?
1828
What were the outcomes of the Eaton Affair?
Eaton and Van Buren resigned, along with the rest of his cabinet
Jackson vetoed the Maysville Road, ruining Clay and Calhoun’s plans
Opposed federal funding of internal improvements
Why did Madison disagree with nullification?
He championed the Tenth Amendment, and nullifiers invoked the “Principles of '98” (Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions from 1798)
The constitutionality of a tariff is indisputable
High duties on imported textiles were not equivalent to the Alien and Sedition Acts, about which the resolutions were written
Describe the Whig Party ideology.
Supported centralized government and expansive federal power
Supported commercial/industrial development and emphasized the importance of entrepreneurs and those driving economic growth
Opposed rapid westward expansion, claiming it promoted social instability
Native-born Protestants who championed temperance and the abolition of slavery
Valued order; believed immigrants had to be assimilated
Supported internal improvements, high tariffs, and the National Bank
List two of the three major components of economic nationalism.
Second Bank of the US: Had to handle government funds, lend up to $5 million, and pay the government a $1.5 million bonus
Tariff of 1816: Placed a 20-25% tax on a long list of imported goods
Internal improvements (Roads, bridges, canals, harbors, and railroads): Funded by the states or no?
Who were the four candidates during the election of 1824, and what roles did they play in the "Corrupt Bargain?"
William H. Crawford: No role; dropped out after a stroke
Henry Clay: Speaker of the House, giving him much power, and he hated Jackson; helped Quincy Adams win the runoff race
John Quincy Adams: Promised Clay Secretary of State if Clay helped him win the election
Andrew Jackson: Had the greatest number of votes initially; lost the election
Why did Southerners oppose the Bank of the US?
They felt it gave the East too much economic power
Southerners/Westerners claimed the bank was not lending funds to start businesses in their regions
Jackson felt printing paper money caused inflation and wanted coinage to be used for all economic transactions
Indian Removal Act (1830): Jackson wanted Congress’s approval to push the Indians west of the Mississippi River
Blackhawk War of 1832
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia: John Marshall ruled on behalf of the Indians and said they had a right to their land
Worcester v. Georgia: “The Cherokee Nation was a distinct political community, and not subject to Georgia law"
Who won the Bank War, and what important policies were passed afterwards?
Jackson
Distribution Act of 1836: Government surpluses were distributed to state banks for internal improvements
Specie Circular of 1836: Mandated that all federal land sales be conducted in gold/silver coin
Southern states censored the mail, removing anti slavery materials