Court Cases
The court established its role as the arbiter of the constitutionality of federal laws, the principle is known as judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison (1803, Marshall)
• Strong central government.
• Loose interpretation of the Constitution.
• Commerce and manufacturing.
• Strongest in Northeast.
• Close ties with Britain.
• Order and stability
Federalists
1846-1848. Fought over the American annexation of Texas in 1845, claims against the Mexican government by Americans for property damage, and the American desire to acquire California. The U.S. destroyed the Mexicans. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established the boundary of Texas at the Rio Grande River and ended the war.
Mexican American War
Turned lands west of Missouri and Iowa into the Kansas and Nebraska territories. The slavery issue in the new territories was to be decided by popular sovereignty. This overturned the Missouri Compromise.
Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854
Proclaimed the United States' opinion that European powers should no longer colonize the Americas or interfere with the affairs of sovereign nations located in the Americas. In return, the United States planned to stay neutral in wars between European powers.
Monroe Doctrine 1823
The court ruled that those subjected to in-custody interrogation must be advised of their right to an attorney and their right to remain silent
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
• Not abolitionist, but opposed to the expansion of
slavery in the territories.
• Won 10% of the popular vote with Martin Van
Buren as their candidate in 1848.
• Lost 50% of their support in 1852, when they
repudiated the Compromise of 1850.
Free Soil Party
1801-1805. The pirates attacked American ships in the Mediterranean and were met by the American naval fleet. The conflict ultimately ended in 1805.
Barbary Pirates War
Provided the President a way to determine the fitness of applicants for office by way of a competitive exam.
Pendleton Act 1883
The U.S. made Cuba a protectorate. Cuba could not make a treaty with a foreign nation. Cuba was to allow the United States to issue orders and lease a base at Guantanamo Bay for 99 years.
Platt Amendment 1901
Unanimous decision declaring “separate but equal” unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954, Warren)
• States' rights.
• Strict interpretation of the Constitution.
• Agriculture and rural life.
• Strongest in South and West.
• Sympathy with France.
• Civil liberties and trust in the people.
Democratic-Republicans
1898. The inability of Spain and Cuba to resolve the revolution in Cuban, and the loss of American markets led to the declaration of war. Americans supported the Cubans in ousting the Spanish, and also seized the Philippines.
Spanish American War
Declared that any head of a family who was a U.S. citizen could acquire 160 acres of land in new territories by paying a small registration fee and living on the land for 5 years.
Homestead Act 1862
A bill was passed that provided $2 million for President Polk to settle boundary disputes with Mexico. Wilmot added an amendment to the bill stating that any land acquired from Mexico in the Mexican War should be free of slavery.
Wilmot Proviso 1846
Upheld the constitutionality of detention camps for Japanese-Americans during WWII.
Korematsu v. U. S. (1941)
• Nativist party based on opposition to immigration
and a focus on temperance.
• Ran Millard Fillmore in 1856 and won 21% of the
popular vote.
• Republican Party absorbed them in 1856.
Know-Nothing Party
1939-1945. The Allied Powers (United States, Soviet Union, France, England) fought the Axis Powers (Germany, Japan, Italy).
WWII
Made to prevent corporations from engaging in monopolistic practices that were seen as "combination in restraint of trade." Used to shut down several businesses. Found unconstitutional in the case of E.C. Knight vs. United States.
Sherman Anti Trust Act 1890
America became involved in the affairs of Venezuela, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The U.S. brandished a "big stick" like a policeman to beat Europeans out of Latin America.
Big Stick Diplomacy 1905
The conditions of the Indians in relation to the United States is perhaps unlike that of any two people in existence,” Chief Justice John Marshall wrote. “Their relation to the United States resembles that of a ward to his guardian… (they are a) domestic dependent nation.” Established a “trust relationship” with the tribes directly under federal authority.
Cherokee Nation v. Georgia (1831, Marshall)
• Formed in 1891 by remnants of the Farmers' Alliances.
• Sported a long list of demands that included the free coinage of silver, government ownership of the
railroads, telegraphs, and telephone lines, a graduated income tax, the direct election of U.S. senators, and the use of initiative, referendum, and recall.
• The party eventually faded because the farmers' situation improved in the late 1890s, and also because its political agenda was absorbed by the Republicans and Democrats.
Populist Party
1990. Saddam Hussein of Iraq invaded Kuwait and threatened Saudi Arabia.
He was stopped by the intervention of America in Operation Desert Storm.
The Persian Gulf War
Provided for the creation of a commission to oversee rates on railways, end discriminatory practices, and require annual reports and financial statements.
Interstate Commerce Act 1887
Revised the Neutrality Acts so that a belligerent could buy U.S. arms under cash-and-carry terms. Technically neutral, but favored Britain.
Cash and Carry 1939