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Key Elections
1800 Pre-election atmosphere was colored by the Alien and Sedition Acts controversy
which created much ill feeling between the contending parties.
- Jeffersonian Republicans triumphed with control of New York since 1796 by
Aaron Burr’s political skill.
- But, Jefferson and Burr got the same number of electoral votes, and the matter
was to be resolved in the House of Representatives; Hamilton played a pivotal
role by throwing his support to Jefferson (whom he disliked) rather than Burr
(whom he saw as dangerous)
- “Revolution of 1800” because it marked the transition from the Federalists, the
only party to have held the presidency to that point to the Democratic-
Republicans of Jefferson
1824 Showed that “Era of Good Feelings” had come to an end; all candidates were
Democratic-Republicans, but personal and sectional interests prominent.
- Candidates were: John Quincy Adams (North Easterners, a high protective tariff;
leading contender), Henry Clay (Similar to Adams), Andrew Jackson (military hero,
drew Western support from Clay), William H. Crawford (who hoped to continue
the “Virginia Dynasty; held to the old-line Republican view of limiting the role of
federal government), John C. Calhoun (backed out to secure the vice presidency).
- 12th Amendment provided that elections in which no candidate received a
majority should be decided by the House of Representatives from among the top
3 candidates.
- Jackson had garnered the most electoral votes, so Clay used his
influence to sway the vote to Adams, because Jackson was an opponent of the
Bank of the U.S., a vital component of (Clay’s) American System.
- Adams president and appointed Clay as Secretary of State led to charges
of a “corrupt bargain”
1828 Nominations by conventions and state legislatures; was first true mud-slinging
contest.
Election results were a clear victory for Jackson but highly sectional; the South,
West, and the states of Pennsylvania and New York went for Jackson while New
England voted for Adams.
1840 Background: Martin Van Buren (Democrat) up for reelection against William Henry
Harrison (Whig). Harrison won, running on “log cabin” campaign; heavy on
image, light on substance.
- 2 economic visions: Whigs wanted to expand and stimulate economy; Dems
favored retrenchment, ending banks and aggressive corporations.
- Triumph of a populist democratic style. (Anti-aristocracy)
Key Elections
1876 Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) vs. Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat) impasse. Led to
Compromise of 1877— ENDED RECONSTRUCTION. Democrats agreed to Hayes in
exchange for removing troops from last 2 states (LA & SC). Sacrificed black
freedmen, Jim Crow Laws enacted same year.
1896 Free Silver election. McKinley (Republican) represented interests of the wealthy.
Bryan (Democrat) represented the Democrats, Populists, and Silver Republicans.
Crucial issue was economic—free silver, gold standard, tariffs— that stemmed
from class conflict. The widening gap between the rich bondholder and the poor
plow-holder.
Parties
Federalist Party Advocates of a strong central government; pessimistic about human nature and
(1792-1816) believed that the government must resist passions of the general public;
government’s prime function was to maintain order and faith was placed in the
talents of a small governing elite.
- Supported the ratification of the Constitution between 1787 and 1790, such as
Jefferson (for a while) and Hamilton
- Partisanship entered the Washington cabinet over the squabble over the
creation of the First Bank of the United States.
- Many were large landowners, bankers and businessmen, favored the
government’s efforts to encourage and protect American industry.
- Strong in New England, large pockets of support in the Middle States.
- Supported the British in foreign affairs and opposed the French during
Revolution.
- John Adams’ admin marked the end of Federalist control, 1800.
- Hartford Convention during War of 1812 discredited party; would end party
power.
Parties
Free Soil (1848 - Anti-slavery! (e.g: Supported Wilmot Proviso, banning slavery from territories
1854) acquired from Mexico.) “Free soil, free speech, free labor, and free men.” Concern
for enslaved blacks stemmed more from concern for free white workers &
tradition of upward mobility. Absorbed by Republican Party (1854). Candidate was
Martin Van Buren.
People’s Party / Party of 1890s. Garnered many votes in election of 1892, but faded afterward.
Populists (1884 - Mostly oppressed farmers and urban workers, mostly in rural areas (West and
1908) South). Campaigned on “free silver” platform— attempt at artificial inflation
through unlimited coining of silver. Also called for graduated income tax, gov’t
ownership of railroads, telegraph, and telephone. In 1896, supported Democrat
William Bryan.
Socialist Party Support from trade unionists, progressives, populists, and immigrants. In 1912
(1901-72) and 1920, candidate was Eugene V. Debs. Opposed involvement with World War I.
Weakened by popularity of FDR’s New Deal.
Whigs (1833 - A reaction to the authoritarian policies of Andrew Jackson, especially by his
1856) actions regarding the Bank of the U.S, Native Americans, Supreme Court, and his
use of presidential war powers.
- Made up of Jackson critics, states’ rights advocates, and supporters of the
American System were supporters; descendants of Federalist Party (supported
strong federal action in dealing with national problems).
- Led by Henry Clay and Daniel Webster.
- Issue of slavery split the party; Whigs in the North (Conscience Whigs) favored
abolition of slavery and halting spread, while Cotton Whigs pro-slavery.
- Southerners moved to Democratic Party; Northerners to the Republican Party.
- William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore
Parties
Cherokee Nation Georgia had enacted laws that allowed them to evict the Cherokee from their
v. Georgia (1831) lands. The Cherokee Nation appealed to SCOTUS that this was unconstitutional,
and laws should be voided. Decision: Cherokee Nation was not a sovereign
nation.
Charles River The Charles River Bridge was built 1785 to connect Boston and Charlestown.
Bridge v. Warren Charles River was collecting massive toll profits when suddenly a second bridge,
Bridge (1837) Warren, was to be built very close by. Charles R. held that the second bridge
would be a violation of their contract.
- Significance: Contracts should be interpreted as narrowly as possible.
Amistad (1841) Slave rebellion broke out on schooner Amistad after international slave trade
had been abolished. Court ruled that transport of Africans across Atlantic was
thus illegal, and the slaves onboard were free Africans & and their rebellion
justified.
- Significance: Helped abolitionist movement.
Dred Scott v. Ruled that black slaves (and their free or enslaved descendants) not protected
Sanford (1857) by Constitution and were not citizens. Congress had no authority to prohibit
slavery in federal territories. Slaves could not sue in court.
- Significance: Kansas-Nebraska Act passed earlier allowed newly admitted
states to decide to become slave or free state. Dred Scott meant loss of political
power for the North, and actually strengthened Northern opposition to slavery
and Republican Party.
Marbury v. John Marshall is SCOTUS Justice. William Marbury sued for his appointment as
Madison (1803) judge in the last hours of Adams’ administration (midnight appointments);
Jefferson wanted to rid judicial branch of Federalists & thwarted Marbury’s
appointment on technicality. Court established judicial review. Marbury’s
petition is denied.
McCulloch v. Marshall est. supremacy of federal law; wrote that Maryland’s effort to tax
Maryland (1819) national bank was in conflict with federal law and unconstitutional.
Supreme Court Cases
Gibbons v. Ogden est. national supremacy in regulating interstate commerce; Aaron Ogden
(1824) received exclusive rights to operate ferry between NY and NJ; Court ruled that
monopoly granted by state conflicted with federal law; exclusive right was null
and void.
Dartmouth Strengthened contract clause (people are obligated to follow through with
College v. contracts). Attempt by New Hampshire legislature to change provision in
Woodward Dartmouth College’s charter; placed Dartmouth under new board named by
governor while original charter; Chief Justice John Marshall said the charter is
valid contract in which legislature had unconstitutionally interfered.
Worcester v. 2nd supreme court decision; involved Cherokees & state of Georgia; court ruled
Georgia (1832) that Cherokee were a sovereign nation and that laws passed by Georgia
legislature requiring them to leave Georgia had no bearing on Cherokee Nation;
Jackson reject Marshall’s ruling; Native Americans were forced by US army to
move to Oklahoma by Andrew Jackson in spite of court’s decision.
Geography
54 40 line “54 40 or Fight” Oregon dispute between US and Britain. Line dividing present-day
Washington and Canada. Oregon territory was vast area from Oregon to Alaska.
Actual area of dispute was the small, north-west corner of the US, from Colombia
River on S & E to 49 parallel on N and Pacific on W.
Erie Canal Built 1825. Linked Great Lakes with Hudson River. Goods could be moved much
faster than before. Attracted immigrants and farmers, made land valuable.
Transformed the Northeast.
Rio Grande River that today borders Mexico and Texas. (Became boundary after Mexican-
River American War 1846-48.)
New Orleans Located at East border of Louisiana. Originally French territory, sold to the US in
the Louisiana Purchase. Became a major trading port. Andrew Jackson led the final
battle in the War of 1812 in New Orleans, the only clearcut victory between British
and US
Appalachian Vast system of mountains located in Eastern North America. Restricted white
Mts. settlement beyond this point in the Proclamation of 1763.
Rocky Mts. Range of mountains located in Western North America. Became a factor during the
Oregon dispute, fighting for the Oregon territory.
National Road Also called Cumberland Road. One of the first major highways built by the United
States federal government. It connected Potomac to Ohio, allowing transport of
goods and supplies to be faster and easier.
Appalachians to Proclamation of 1763 forbade English colonists from living west of the
the MIssissippi Appalachians. Any settlers currently west of the mountains had to move back
east. All English territory between the Appalachians and the Mississippi.
Louisiana Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris, instructed to buy New Orleans and as much
Purchase land east for maximum of $10 million; Napoleon suddenly decided to sell all of
Louisiana and abandon his dream of New World empire. Hoped that America,
strengthened by Louisiana, would one day be a military and naval power that
would thwart ambitions of Britain. Louisiana was ceded to U.S. for &15 million,
more than doubled the size of the U.S. Yet there was no clause that the president
was authorized to negotiate treaties incorporating a huge new expanse into the
union in the Constitution. Removed virtually the last remnant of significant
European power from North American continent.
Texas Originally Spanish. Became part of Mexico when it gained its independence. The
Texas Revolution made Texas briefly into independent nation. US immigrants
came; eventually joined the US 1845.
Mexican California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado [west of Texas], New Mexico[west of
Cession (1848) Rio Grande], Wyoming [west of Texans and south of 42nd parallel]); ceded to the
US after Mexican-American War through Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.
Gadsden purchase of 30,000 square miles of South Arizona & SW New Mexico; paid $10
Purchase million to Mexico for territory to use as route for the transcontinental Pacific
(1853) Railroad; last territory added to contiguous 48 states; Controversial due to great
cost & small area, as well as sectional issues related to slavery.
Oregon Country region in western North America that extended form the Pacific Coast to the Rocky
Mountains from the northern border of California to Alaska; became Oregon
territory in 1846
Whiskey Ring (1875) Scandal that occurred during Grant’s presidency in the Gilded Age (1865-
1901), known for widespread graft and corruption. Millions in liquor-tax
revenues were stolen from the Treasury.
Tweed Ring (1871) Scandal under Grant, during Gilded Age. Displayed lack of ethics typical of
the time. “Boss” Tweed employed bribery, graft, and fraudulent elections
to milk NYC of $200 million. Exposed by NYT. Cartoonist Thomas Nast
viciously attacked him.
Boston Tea Party Bostonians destroyed lots of tea to protest the Tea Act. Aroused sympathy
(1773) for Revolutionaries and led British Parliament to pass Intolerable Acs,
leading to the First Continental Congress and finally Lexington and
Concord.
Popular Sovereignty The people decide whether to be a free or slave state. Devised 1848 by
Lewis Cass.
Scandals and Events
Spoils System Born under Jackson. Rewarding political supporters with public office.
Accompanied by scandal and incompetents. Important in cementing party
loyalty. Repealed by Chester Arthur in 1881 when Garfield was killed by a
deranged office seeker.
Anne Hutchinson Revealed her support of the effectiveness of faith alone (the covenant of
grace) as the key to salvation, as opposed to the standard Puritan
emphasis on good works (the covenant of works); also expressed her belief
that God revealed himself to individuals without the aid for the clergy.
- John Winthrop leery of her views and cautioned that women could do
irreparable damage to their brains by pondering deep theological matters;
he and John Cotton led opposition to Hutchinson and charged that she and
her followers were guilt of heresy. Was expelled and died.
XYZ Affair 1797, President Adams tried to defuse growing tensions with France by
sending two new diplomats to join Pinckney in Paris (John Marshall &
Elbridge Gerry).
– The French foreign minister kept American mission for weeks, then
deployed agents to demand a $250,000 bribe for himself & a $12 million
loan for France. Bribery had been standard diplomatic fare at the time, but
the amount was deemed exorbitant.
- Soured relations between the US and France.
Aaron Burr Aaron Burr: From 1801 to 1805 Burr served as vice president, creating the
awkward situation of a sitting president from one party and the vice
president from the rival party. Jefferson largely ignored Burr, who
contented himself with serving ably as President of the Senate.
- In 1804, Alexander Hamilton conspired to deny the former vice president
the governorship of New York. Burr killed Hamilton in a duel.
- In 1806, Burr became involved in another plot the details of which are
still not clear. Acquitted from charges of treason.
- Ran against Jefferson in election of 1800.
Peggy Eaton Affair Senator John Eaton, a close friend of Jackson, had married the widowed
daughter of a Washington innkeeper, Margaret (Peggy) O’Neill; the local
rumor mill ground out gossip that O’Neill and Eaton had had an affair prior
to her husband’s death.
- The Cabinet wives, led by Mrs. John C. Calhoun, were scandalized and
refused to attend events when she was present.
- Jackson was not pleased with this tempest, remembering how deeply his
late wife had been hurt by scandal-mongering; resented Calhoun’s inability
to control his wife and was disappointed when Martin Van Buren alone
among the Cabinet officers defended the Eatons.
- In 1831, Eaton and Van Buren resigned their offices, putting pressure on
the other members to do likewise. These resignations gave Jackson the
opportunity to appoint Cabinet officers who were loyal to him rather than
Calhoun.
Scandals and Events
Boston Massacre 1767 Townshend Acts, (duties on paper, lead, paint, and tea imported into
the colonies).
- A boycott engineered by the Americans angered the imperial authorities.
Customs officials repeatedly asked for military backing, in the hope that a
show of force would enable them to collect duties from colonists.
- Bostonians resented the presence of "foreign" soldiers in their city, but
many common workers shared an additional concern. The British soldiers
were so poorly paid that many had to find part-time jobs in order to meet
their basic needs. In so doing, the redcoats were taking jobs needed by the
colonists.
- The Boston Massacre was, of course, not a “massacre,” in the classic
sense. Samuel Adams and other propagandists, however, immediately
capitalized on this incident, using it to fan colonial passions. Paul Revere
assisted the effort by issuing one of his most famous engravings.
Credit Mobilier Representative Oakes Ames of Massachusetts and Thomas C. Durant were
prominent stockholders in the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1867 the two
cooperated in forming Crédit Mobilier, a dummy construction company
fobbed off as responsible for completing the transcontinental railway's last
600 miles.
- In the process, U.P. stockholders and the federal government were bilked
out of millions of dollars. When it appeared that an investigation was going
to be launched, Ames bribed influential congressmen and was able to head
off scrutiny.
- Nevertheless, the fraud was exposed in 1872. It was apparent that Vice
president Schuyler Colfax had been bribed with stock. House Speaker
James A. Garfield was linked to the dealings, but his participation was
never proven.
- Despite the loss of $20 million, no prosecutions ever occurred.
- This notorious example of large-scale graft involved leading members of
the Republican Party. Public confidence in business methods was shaken
by the affair.
Scandals and Events
Bloomers Bloomers were baggy underpants for women, but went out of style when
skirt lengths became shorter at the end of the 1910s; seen as indecent.
Scandals and Events
Great Awakening 1730s. Period of religious revivalism sparked by George Whitefield. Leaders
included Jonathan Edwards (“Sinners In The Hands of an Angry God”).
Led to development of American governing principles— an egalitarian
democracy.
Scandals and Events
Sons of Liberty During the Parliamentary debate over the Stamp Act (1765) the American
opponents of the new tax were the "Sons of Liberty"; Secret radical groups
in the colonies adopted this name and worked to oppose the stamp tax
and other later parliamentary revenue programs.
Membership in the Sons was largely middle class with more upper-class
representation than lower. Relationships were often negotiated with street
elements, which sometimes conducted violent actions — often without the
Sons' approval. A streak of conservatism remained a hallmark of the Sons
until the 1770s. Initially they saw their role as the organizers of protests
against specific government policies and not as the disrupters of royal
authority; One of first contributions was to enforce nonimportation
agreements (greedy merchants who handled forbidden products were
forced to make humiliating public confessions.)
The Sons of Liberty's influence waned in most of the colonies following the
repeal of the Stamp Act in early 1766. However, the movement was
revived with the passage of the Townshend Acts in 1767, and would
remain a fixture of American resistance to the time of independence. It
was then that they played a particularly prominent role in setting up the
First Continental Congress (1774)
Albany Plan of Union Proposed by Benjamin Franklin at Albany Congress (1754) during French
and Indian War. Attempt to unite colonies under one government.
Rejected; colonies too disunited and suspicious of each other.
Second Great a reprise of the of the early 18th century, was marked by an emphasis on
Awakening personal piety over schooling and theology. In northern New England,
social activism took precedence; in western New York, the movement
encouraged the growth of new denominations. In the Appalachian region
of Tennessee and Kentucky, the revival energized Presbyterians,
Methodists and Baptists, and gave rise to the popular camp meeting, a
chance for isolated frontier folk to gather and enjoy the excitement of
evangelistic fervor.
- The revival's secular effects consisted of two main strains: The virtues
and behavior of the expanding middle class—a strong work ethic, frugality
and temperance—endorsed. Engendered a wide array of reform
movements aimed at redressing injustice and alleviating suffering—a
democratizing effect.
Social activism spawned abolition groups, temperance, and suffrage
societies, and others committed to prison reform, care for the handicapped
and mentally ill. Noted proponent: evangelist Charles G. Finney. Held
that the Gospel saved people, but was also a means to reform society.
Fervent abolitionist.
The movement spread through southern Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Features of the Methodist and Baptist denominations became assets on
the frontier. Among the Baptists, ordinary farmers frequently got the God
call, pored over their Bibles, and then kindled congregations—which
ordained them. The Bible belt of the South and Border States was born on
this grassroots format.
The Second Great Awakening exerted a lasting impact on American
society, more than any other revival. While its fervor abated, it left a
legacy of many established churches, democratization and social reform
Scandals and Events
John Brown’s Raid Proclaiming himself the servant of the Lord, Brown led an attack in the
spring of 1856, which resulted in the murders of five proslavery settlers.
The incident became known as the Pottawatomie Creek Massacre. This
event was part of widespread violence then occurring in Bleeding Kansas.
- Brown’s uncompromising stand against slavery won him numerous
supporters in the North, where many abolitionists were frustrated by their
lack of progress. In particular, encouragement and financial support were
extended by the “Secret Six,” a group of influential New England
aristocrats. With their help, Brown was able to establish a base in western
Virginia where he hoped to spark a general slave rebellion in the South. His
raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859, was part of that plan; a major step toward
the polarization of North and South on the eve of the Civil War
- Brown was arrested and charged with inciting a slave insurrection and
treason. He conducted his own defense, and the event was widely reported
in Northern newspapers as a selfless idealist. Nevertheless, he was
convicted and hanged in December 1859.
Peculiar Institution The following arguments were put forth in Southern books, pamphlets and
newspapers to defend the institution of slavery:
1. Slavery was good for the slaves; the slaveowners took on the burden of
caring for the interests of inferior beings, seeing that they would be fed,
clothed and given religious instruction.
2. In a comparative sense, Southern slaves were better off than many of
the immigrant workers in Northern factories who were confined in
unhealthy workplaces for long hours.
3. Slavery was the key to national prosperity—for both the North and the
South; nearly 60 percent of U.S. exports of this era were cotton; the
slavery advocates argued that if their economy were tampered with, the
great industrial cities of the North would crumble; many Southerners
viewed the North as a parasite, nourishing itself on slavery while at the
same time criticizing it.
4. Slavery was vital for the continuance of a superior Southern lifestyle
which emphasized good manners and graciousness; they did not want to
become like the fast-paced, money-grubbing North.
Barbary Pirates Group of fighters who attacked American ships along the Barbary Coast of
northern Africa at in the first few years of the 1800s; members of a handful
of African states who signed treaties with the U.S. promising to stop
attacking American ships
- They broke those treaties, however, and the U.S. fought back with force;
Both the Navy and the Marines won big victories, including one at Tripoli in
1805.
Bleeding Kansas John Brown attempted to invade the South and instigate a slave rebellion to
establish a black free state. At Harpers Ferry, killed several innocent people,
and he was executed. Made South more eager to secede.
Wars - Rebellions - Crises
Civil War 11 Southern states declared secession from the US and formed the
Confederate States. Hostilities began when Confederates attacked Fort
Sumter, one of the few Southern forts that was still loyal to the Union. The
men at Fort Sumter surrendered, uniting Northerners and spurring Union
forces into action.
The South had General Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The Union had
much more manpower and factories, but poor leaders (until Ulysses S
Grant).
The Confederacy was led by President Jefferson Davis; the Union was led by
President Abraham Lincoln.
The War had a drastic economic effect on the South. The cotton economy
collapsed, and they went through hard times. Northern factories prospered.
French and Indian Also known as The War of Jenkin’s Ear or Seven Year’s War; There were
War (1754-1763) already small world wars fought by the European nations for land and
money; continued for around 100 years.
- At first, it was confined to the Caribbean Sea and to the buffered colony of
Georgia
the small scuffle with Spain merged with the War of Austrian Succession in
Europe -> King George's War in America.
Peace Treaty of 1748 gave Louisburg back to French foe -> Americans
outraged
- Ohio Valley became place of contention b/w French and British.
fought to decide whether Britain or France would become the stronger
power in America; both sides relied on its colonists and Indian allies to fight.
France more interested in fur trade than in settling land and didn't
appreciate the high prices paid by British to the Indians for animal furs.
- Defeat of French in Quebec and signing of a treaty in Paris in 1763 -> end
of war.
British took over their land that stretched from east coast of North America
to the Mississippi River. Everything west of the river belonged to Spain.
Indians still had control over most of western lands.
- Colonists emerged from war with increased confidence in their military
strength; myth of British invincibility was shattered; friction had developed
during war b/w arrogant British officers and raw colonial "boors.” colonial
unity had been achieved, British officials distressed by reluctance of
colonists to support the common cause wholeheartedly.
- Removal of French menace in Canada let colonies have a new spirit of
independence and deprived Indians of their ability to play off the rival
Europeans powers against one another
- Resulted in large debt that British Parliament decided would be repaid by a
raise in taxes on the colonies since they were the ones who got the most
benefits and had to be defended.
- Taxes imposed on legal documents and tea; stamps affixed onto legal
documents and newspapers. Beginning 1765, protests at the situation
began to mount in the colonies. Would lead to Revolution
Mexican War (1846- Texas is in dispute & President Polk really wants to buy California, but is
48) turned down. 1846, provokes war, which a patriotic Congress agrees to.
Series of battles lead to Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo (1848). Expanded
size of US by 1/3; gains Texas, gains California and region east of it.
Treaty opposed by two groups: people who want all of Mexico (Manifest
Destiny) and people who want none of it (anti-slavery “Conscience Whigs”).
Wars - Rebellions - Crises
Nullification Crisis Tariff of Abominations / 1828 passes; extremely high. Protective tariffs
(1828-32) help manufacturers but raises prices for all. Discriminated against Old
South. Northeast - prospers from manufacturing boom. West - High property
values and multiplying population. Southwest - Cotton. Old South is
backwards.
Deeper problems: Anxiety over federal interference with slavery.
South Carolina Exposition (by John Calhoun) suggests North Carolina
should nullify tariff. 1932: SC legislature made up of “Nullies” passes
nullification bill and threatens secession.
ANGRY! President Jackson vs. SC Nullies. He pressures nullies until Henry
Clay makes compromise bill Tariff of 1832, gradually bringing down rate.
Force Bill - Would allow President to use army/navy to collect on tariffs.
Neither side truly won. Significance: Avoided North/South conflict this time.
Revolutionary War Began in 1775 when British soldiers and American patriots fought at
Lexington, Massachusetts and Concord; ended in 1783 with the Treaty of
Paris.
- Tension had been mounting between Great Britain and the American
Colonies because the British government had passed a series of laws in an
attempt to increase control over them.
- The Colonies were largely unprepared for war, lacking a central
government and having no organized army or navy; Washington was
appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army.
- 1776, July 4, Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Shay’s Rebellion 1786, led by Captain Daniel Shay, veteran of Revolution, demanded state
issue paper money, lighten taxes and suspend property takeover.
- Revolutionary war veterans lost farms through mortgage foreclosures/ tax
delinquencies
- Authorities respond by raising small army
- motivated congress to reassess the Articles
- Showed the need for a stronger federal government to politicians
The Alamo (1836) “Remember the Alamo!” becomes American battle cry.
Dictator Santa Anna butchers 400 Americans at the Alamo. Delays Mexican
advance and galvanizes American opposition. Americans very angry!
Mexico City Battle during Mexican-American War; US victorious. Last battle of war.
Bull Run First: (1861) Union Army under McDowell advanced across the Bull Run river.
Confederate victory. Both sides realized war might be longer and bloodier than
originally realized. Second (1862) Stonewall Jackson vs. John Pope. Confederate
victory.
Antietam (1862) First major battle in Civil War to take place on Northern soil. Bloodiest
single-day battle in American history. Though not a strong Union victory, Lincoln
took advantage of it to announce Emancipation Proclamation.
Gettysburg (1863) Battle with most casualties in Civil War. Union victory. Turning point;
ended Lee’s invasion of the North; from this point on, South fought defensively.
Vicksburg (1863) Union victory. Turning point (along with Gettysburg). Prevented supplies
from Texas from passing east & split Confederacy.
Lexington and (1775) detachment of troop sent by British commander in Boston sent to
Concord Lexington & Concord to seize stores of gunpowder and to bag "rebel" ringleaders
Samuel Adams & John Hancock; "Minute Men" refused to disperse fast enough -
8 Americans killed & several wounded; Redcoats pushed on to Concord where
they were forced to retreat to Boston by ready Americans; had 3000 casualties,
including 70 killed.
Trenton-Princeton Revolutionary war battle which Patriots drove British forces back and retook
Vincennes. Both battles were American Victories.
Saratoga (1777) Support from French/Spain as they supply America by sending supplies.
Turning point in Revolutionary War. Two battles; second battle was American
victory, leading to Franco-American alliance that helps bolster the eventual
American victory.
Yorktown last major battle of American Revolution; 1781; surrounded British troops in
Yorktown with support from French naval and military;7000 troops surrendered
under General Charles Cornwallis.
Tippecanoe (1811) Governor William Henry Harrison attacked Tecumseh’s capital (Prophet’s
town); shawnees lost bloody battle; battle reinforced suspicions that British were
inciting Native Americans;
Detroit one of a series of defeats stopping the American invasion of Canada during War
of 1812.
Washington, D.C. British sent more troops to America to attack nation’s capital; broke through
Madison’s defenses. War of 1812; White House destroyed in fire.
New Orleans fought after Treaty of Ghent had been signed in War or 1812. Major American
victory; helped propel Andrew Jackson to the White House; prelude to Era of
Good Feelings.
Foreign Policy
Macon’s Bill Number (1810) Intended to motivate Britain and France to stop seizing American
2 vessels during Napoleonic Wars. If either one of the two countries stopped
attacks upon American shipping, the United States would cease trade with
the other, unless that country agreed to recognize the rights of the neutral
American ships as well. Failed, and soon entangled US in War of 1812.
Rush-Bagot Treaty Treaty between US and Britain (1817) severely limited naval armament on
Great Lakes. Decades later, complete disarmament turned the lakes into a
shared border between the US and Canada.
Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) Settled border dispute between US and Spain along Texas. Ceded
Florida to US. Established boundary of US through Rocky Mountains west to
the Pacific Ocean.
1846 Treaty with Oregon Treaty. Oregon had been jointly occupied by Britain and US. Set US
Britain border at 49th parallel, which is today the US (Washington)-Canadian
border.
Treaty of Guadelupe Ended Mexican-American War (1848). Mexico lost 55% of its pre-war
Hidalgo territory. Gained southwest US region— California, Nevada, Utah, and parts
of Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. (Gadsden Purchase would later
complete region.)
Monroe Doctrine (1823) Efforts by European countries to colonize or interfere with countries
in the Americas would be considered to be acts of aggression. Invoked by
later presidents.
Manifest Destiny Belief that United States is destined to expand from Atlantic to Pacific coast.
Salutary Neglect New England merchants had made smuggling and bribing customs officials
their way of life, resisted changes that would affect their income sources,
especially with the Navigation Acts.
- better to encourage commercial relations with colonies than meddle in
their government affairs.
Treaty of Paris 1763 Ended the Seven Years’ War, allowing Britain to emerge as the world’s
leading colonial empire; France and Spain ceded much of their territory.
Treaty of Paris 1783 1783 officially ended the war of independence against Britain
- provided that Britain would recognize US as independent Nation
- Mississippi R. would be Western Boundary
- Americans have fishing rights off coast of Canada (Newfoundland)
- American would pay debts owed to British merchants
- honor loyalists claims for property taken during
Washington’s Farewell Warned against the growth of political parties, especially geographically
Address based; acknowledged the need for temporary alliances, but warned against
“permanent alliances;” urged the country to honor the payment of all
financial obligations.
Foreign Policy
Jay’s Treaty 1794, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Jay sent to England to seek
solutions to tense relations with Britain (seizure from American cargo ships,
impressments of American seamen, and continuing British occupation of
western posts in U.S. borders)
- Sought the withdrawal of the British soldiers from posts in the American
West, a commission to be established to settle border issues between the
U.S. and Canada, and a commission to be established to resolve American
losses in British ship seizures and Loyalist losses during the Independence
War
Pinckney Treaty Spain recognized U.S. borders at the Mississippi and the 31st parallel and
granted Americans the right to deposit goods for transshipment at New
Orleans.
- Granted these concessions to the U.S. not from fear of America’s military
might, but from concern over the warming relationship between Britain and
the U.S.; hoped to keep Britain off balance
Treaty of Ghent Called for the end of hostilities, required that conquered territory and
prisoners be returned, and appointed a commission to study lingering
boundary issues between the United States and Canada.
- Shows that U.S. was strong enough to defeat Britain in the 2nd American
Revolution, but not powerful enough to force more favorable terms at the
peace (like stopping impressments or protecting neutral rights)
Embargo Act Economic decision by U.S. to protect its own product shipping rights,
intending to eliminate Great Britain’s higher quality of product -> War of
1812
The Constitution
Amendments 11-15 11. Protects a state from lawsuits filed by citizens of other states. 12.
Provides procedure to which President and Vice President are elected.
Electors must cast distinct votes for President and Vice-President, rather
than 2 votes for President (and having the runner-up become Vice-
President). 13. Abolishment of slavery. 14. Redefined citizenship to include
former slaves. 15. Prohibited government from denying citizen’s right to
vote based on race, color, or previous slave status.
Checks and Balances Allows for one branch to limit the other, so none has too much power.
Executive Branch aka the President. Protects Constitution, executes laws, executes
instructions of Congress, veto power, executes spending, declares states of
emergency, creates treaty, appoints judges, commander in chief.
Legislative Branch aka Congress. Makes laws, declares war, controls money, confirms heads of
executive branch, confirms judicial appointments, ratifies treaties, power of
impeachment, may override veto.
Judicial Branch Does not make or enforce law. Interprets law, determines whether law is
unconstitutional, polices own members, etc.
John Locke English Enlightenment philosopher. Associated with natural rights and the
social contract. Influenced Constitution and Declaration of Rights. In a
natural state, all people are equal and dependent, and all have right to
defend his “life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
Articles of document agreed to by the colonies after the American Revolution; provided
Confederation for loose organization of states; each state was to be autonomous.
New Jersey Plan proposal to create a unicameral government; equal representation, like the
Senate; rejected at the constitutional Convention.
3/5 Compromise A black slave was counted as 3/5 of a person in population count. The
southern states wanted them counted as one whole person for more
representatives in the House of Representatives. The northern states did not
want them counted at all.
Virginia Plan plan for government proposed at constitutional convention in which the
national government would have 3 branches- executive, judicial, and
legislative, representation in the legislature would be determined by state
population
Slave Trade The 13th amendment to the United States Constitution officially abolished
and prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a
crime.
Federalist Papers collection of essays authored and published in NY 1787 and 1788 under
Publius; authors were Hamilton, Madison, and Jay; defended principle of
single national government, reassure readers that there was nothing to fear
regarding government takeovers or tyrannical behavior;
Legislative Acts
Navigation Acts Loosely enforced and passed to regulate the mercantilist system
(1600) - Navigation Law of 1650: aimed at rival Dutch shippers trying to elbow way
into American carrying trade - stated that all commerce flowing to and from
colonies could be transported only in British vessels.
- Later laws required that European goods destined for America had to be
landed in Britain where tariff duties to be collected and where British
middlemen could take some of the profits.
- Other laws specially demanded that American merchants must ship certain
"enumerated" (listed) products, especially tobacco, exclusively to Britain, even
though prices might be better elsewhere.
- British crown also reserved the right to nullify any legislation passed by the
colonial assemblies if such laws worked mischief with the mercantilist system.
Proclamation Act A royal decree that prohibited Americans from settling west of the Appalachian
(1763) Mountains, acknowledging that the Native Americans owned the lands that
they were living on.
- Wanted to avoid war with the Indians and to keep colonies on the coast where
they could benefit the British mercantile system more.
Sugar Act (1764) Meant to help pay off the debt accumulated in the French and Indian War and
caused economic hardship in New England and the Middle Colonies.
A tax on trade, and indirect and external tax
No taxation without representation.
Nonimportation boycott of British goods started
Stamp Act (1765) Funds accumulated were to be put aside for the support of British soldiers
protecting the American colonies
Violators tried by vice admiralty courts and Americans were outraged because
matters were heard by royally appointed judges, not by local juries.
Led rise to the Stamp Act Congress and Stamp Act riots where shopkeepers
agreed not to sell British manufactures and organizations like the Sons of
Liberty watched to make sure they kept their promise.
Declaratory Act Followed Parliament’s repeal of the Stamp Act, but affirmed England’s right to
(1766) interfere in their colonies in all cases
- Right to tax, enforcement of parliamentary laws, or crown rights over colony
rights were subject to the British crown
Townshend Acts Charles Townshend wanted to reduce the national debt by imposing taxes in
(1767) the colonies; made sense because the French and Indian War had been fought
for the colonies and was a major reason for the debt.
- Realized that Americans objected to internal taxation so he set external tax
- Included the Quartering Act, reorganization of the customs service, and new
duties.
Intolerable Acts Introduced by Lord North, it included the Boston Port Act, Quartering Act,
(Restraining Acts) Administration of Justice Act, and Massachusetts Government Act.
[1774] - Massachusetts received sympathy and and respect of neighbors and the
harshness of the measures surprised many moderates, turning them to radical
views.
- Led to the summoning of the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia
Northwest Admission to Union available when the number of free inhabitants reached
Ordinance (1787) 60,000; civil rights and liberties were guaranteed, education was encouraged,
and slavery and involuntary servitude was prohibited.
Spurred the westward movement of American settlers, overturned the colonial
idea that newly settled lands were lesser than established areas, and provided
the first national limitation on slavery expansion.
Bank of the US Alexander Hamilton; helped to establish the credit of the U.S. government and
(1791) the economic independence of the country.
- Congress granted a charter to a bank to become the Bank of the US. So that it
could provide a warehouse for federal funds, issuing paper money, loan money
to the government, and form a source of capital for investors.
Alien and Sedition Passed by Federalist-controlled Congress, designed to control the activities of
Acts (1798) foreigners in the US during time of impending war, tried to destroy Jeffersonian
Republicanism.
- Naturalization Act: extended residency period from 5-14 years for those
seeking citizenship, especially the Irish and French
- Alien Act: allowed expulsion of aliens thought of as dangerous during
peacetime
- Alien Enemies Act: allowed captivity or expulsion of aliens deemed dangerous
during wartime
- Sedition Act: provided for fines or imprisonment for those who criticized the
government, Congress, or president in speech or print.
Virginia and Prepared by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson; stated that the states had
Kentucky the duty to nullify within their borders those laws that were unconstitutional.
Resolution (1798)
1832 Tariff Moderate reform returned rates to 1824 levels, but South Carolina sparked the
Nullification Crisis (See “Wars...”) during the Jackson Administration.
Kansas-Nebraska Stephen Douglas’ bill that called for the Nebraska Territory to be divided into
Act (1854) Kansas and Nebraska and to let the question of slavery be decided by popular
sovereignty
- Repealed the Missouri Compromise, enraged Northerners and led Southerners
to want a formal amendment to repeal all the slavery provision of the
compromise specifically.
- Reopened the slavery question in territories leading to events like “Bleeding
Kansas”
- President’s hope for reelection were gone, Democrats lost influence in the
North and became the regional proslavery party of the South
- The Whig Party opposed the Act and died in the South and was weakened in
the North
- A new Republican Party emerged, drawing in anti-Nebraska Whigs and
Democrats
Process of Began with the Radical Republicans’ Reconstruction Plan. motivated by revenge
Reconstruction to punish the South for causing the war, concern for the freedmen, and wanting
to keep the Republican Part in power in the North and South
- Supported protective tariffs, pro-business national banking system, liberal
land policies for settlers, and federal aid for railroad development.
- Also supported the vote for blacks; afraid the Democrats would regain the
South.
- The Republicans also tried to impeach Andrew Johnson.
Spot Resolution Demanded to know where American blood had been shed on American soil,
(1847) Abraham Lincoln, during Mexican War.
- Challenged the validity of the president’s words and represented the political
power struggle between the Whigs and Democrats.
Morrill Land Grand The federal government would distribute land proportionately to the states,
(1862) which sold it; the proceeds of land sales supported colleges in instruction of
agriculture and industries.
Legislative Acts
Sherman Anti-Trust The first federal antitrust law; authorized federal action against the
Act (1890) combination of businesses in form of trusts or any conspiracies of restraining
trade.
- First meaningful challenge to the legislation came from the E.C. Knight Case
(1895)
- State governments in the West and South passed laws to regulate corporate
behavior, but the trusts established themselves in friendly states like Delaware
and New Jersey
People
Harriet Beecher (1811-96) Abolitionist who wrote Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Spread the abolitionist
Stowe movement in the North, while provoking anger in the South.
The Grimké Sisters (1800s) Sarah and Angelina Grimké were Southern-born, Quaker abolitionists
who lectured in the North about their experiences; also advocated for women’s
rights.
Harriet Tubman (1820-1913) Former slave who became abolitionist, humanitarian, and Union
spy. Rescued slaves via the Underground Railroad.
Lucretia Mott (1793-1880) American Quaker, abolitionist and advocate of women’s rights.
First American “feminist”. Helped to organize Seneca Fall convention.
Elizabeth Cady (1815-1902) Abolitionist and leader of woman’s movement. Wrote Declaration
Stanton of Sentiments.
Brigham Young (1801-1877) Leader of Mormon Church (LDS: Latter-day Saints) and first
governor of Utah. Saved Mormon church when Joseph Smith died.
James Polk 11th President. (1845-49) Democrat. Led nation in Mexican-American War.
Santa Ana Mexican Prez/Dictator, presided during the Mexican-American War in 1846-48.
Zachary Taylor President after Polk; died 16 mo. into term and Presidency assumed by
Fillmore.
Franklin Pierce President after Fillmore, before Buchanan. Democrat. Reopened question of
slavery in the West by repeating Missouri Compromise with Kansas-Nebraska
Act. One-term. (1833-1837)
Stephen Douglas Democratic nominee for President in 1860. Lost to Abraham Lincoln. Designed
Kansas-Nebraska Act, which reopened slavery q. with popular sovereignty.
Roger Taney 5th US Chief Justice. Delivered majority opinion in Dred Scott v. Sandford.
Abraham Lincoln Republican 16th President of the United States during the Civil War. Directed
Union forces to victory, and was assassinated before his second term ended.
(1861-65)
John Slidell Sent to Mexico by Polk to negotiate Texas boundary prior to Mexican-American
War. Also sent to barter for California. Both rejected.
Thaddeus Stevens Leader, along with Sumner, of the Radical Republicans in 1861-77. Very anti-
slavery, and advocated harsh treatment of post-Civil War South.
George McClellan Union general in Civil War. Raised well-trained army, but was too cautious in
battle. Lincoln: “If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would
like to borrow it for a time.” Led Battle of Antietam, bloodiest single-day battle
in US history.
Ambrose Burnside Union Army general in Civil War. Took control after McClellan was removed. Led
humiliating defeat in Battle of Fredericksburg.
William Sherman Union General in Civil War. Raised well-trained army, but was too cautious in
battle. Lincoln: “If General McClellan does not want to use the army, I would
like to borrow it for a time.” Led Battle of Antietam, bloodiest single-day battle
in US history.
Mathew Brady Union general under Grant that implemented “total war” tactics against
Confederates. However, his tactics were successful.
Robert E. Lee Brilliant Confederate general. Victories in Second Battle of Bull Run,
Fredericksburg. Failure in Antietam and Gettysburg.
Andrew Johnson Lincoln’s veep; assumed presidency after Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.
Treatment of South was too lightweight, and he became first U.S. President to
be impeached. Terrible president. Considered Democrat.
Anne Hutchinson Puritan woman who held Bible meetings for women and men. Was exiled
because she offended colonial religious leaders.
John Quincy Adams President succeeding Monroe, and preceding Andrew Jackson. One term (1825-
29). Shaped foreign policy. Designed Monroe Doctrine as Secretary.
Cinque West African man who led the Amistad revolt, leading to SCOTUS case.
John Brown Fanatic abolitionist who led revolt on Harper’s Ferry. Advocated slave
insurrection. His actions helped escalate tensions leading to the Civil War.
Bartolome de las 16th century Spanish Dominican Priest. Opposed mistreatment of Native
Casas Americans by Spanish colonists.
Nathaniel Bacon Led Bacon’s Rebellion (1674), an anti-Native American rebellion by landless
freemen that blindly attacked several tribes who had done nothing wrong.
Demanded suffrage.
Nat Turner Led most successful slave rebellion, leading to 56 deaths of whites in southern
US. Led to violent backlash and new laws targeting blacks.
People
Jonathan Edwards Preached during First Great Awakening. Famous sermon titled “Sinners in the
Hands of an Angry God”.
Crispus Attucks Of African and Indian American heritage. First person killed during Boston
Massacre of American Revolution.
Lowell (Mill) Girls Name for female textile workers in Lowell, which had factories with large
female workforce. Active in labor movements.
Preston Brooks Proslavery; Severely beat Charles Sumner, leader of the Radical Republicans.
Was made a villain in the North, and incident helped escalate North/South
tension.
Andrew Carnegie Became very rich during Gilded Age (1865-1901), earning much of his fortune
in steel. Gave much of his money away, and espoused the Gospel of Wealth.
JP Morgan Gilded Age. Banker; one of the wealthiest men in the world.
Frederick Jackson 20th century historian who wrote The Significance of the Frontier in American
History. Success of the US is tied to westward expansion.
Mark Twain American author during Gilded Age; well-connected, and wrote “Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn.” (1835-1910)
Teddy Roosevelt First Progressive President (1901-1909). Republican Party, and later Bull Moose
Party. Known as “trustbuster” and described his domestic agenda as “Square
Deal”. Slogan: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”
Helen Hunt Jackson Write Ramona, a novel about mistreatment of Native Americans.
Eugene Debs Founded Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Famous socialist. Involved in
Pullman Strike.
Mary Jones “Mother Jones.” Co-founded Industrial Workers of the World. Involved in the
plight of coal workers.
Ida Tarbell Leading muchraker of the progressive era. Exposed Rockefeller’s tactics in the
oil industry. Developed investigative reporting tactics.
Samuel Gompers Founded American Federation of Labor (AF of L). Unlike the IWW, sought to
improve situations of workers rather than completely change them.
Thomas Edison Invented first practical electric light bulb, plus a bunch of other stuff.
Transcontinental First one built 1869 by Central Pacific and Union Pacific. Was vital link for trade,
Railroad commerce, and travel.
Laissez-faire French for “let it be”— capitalist economic principle. Industry should be free of
state intervention, allowing monopolies, etc.
Social Darwinism Using ideas in biology to create political change that reduces fertility of certain
races or people. (abusing Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’ concepts.)
Survival of the Originally used in biology to describe how species adapt and reproduce based
Fittest on the traits most likely to help with their survival. Abused and used out of
context by social darwinists.
New York City Industrial city; site of Harlem Renaissance, Tweed Ring, immigration, factories,
etc.
John Smith appointed to manage Jamestown; strict disciplinarian; bargained with native
Americans and explored the Chesapeake area; returned to England in 1609
after suffering a gunpowder burn
John Rolfe experimented with growing varieties of tobacco; married Pocahontas in part to
divert crisis after capture in 1612
Pocahontas A native Indian of America, daughter of Chief Powhatan, who was one of the
first to marry an Englishman, John Rolfe, and return to England with him; about
1595-1617; Pocahontas' brave actions in saving an Englishman, paved the way
for many positive English and Native relations.
Powhatan Pocahontas’s father; Chief of the Powhatan Confederacy. At the time of the
English settlement of Jamestown in 1607, he was a friend to John Smith and
John Rolfe. When Smith was captured by Indians, Powhatan left Smith's fate in
the hands of his warriors. His daughter saved John Smith, & the Jamestown
colony. Pocahontas & John Rolfe were wed. There was a time of peace between
the Indians & English until Powhatan's death.
William Bradford leader of Pilgrims and Governor of Plymouth; kept tight rein on settlement,
allowing little latitude toward colonists
Squanto Native American who helped the English colonists in Massachusetts develop
agricultural techniques and served as an interpreter between the colonists and
the Wampanoag; taught the English how to plant and find food, hunt, few who
spoke English.
William Penn A Quaker; received rights in 1681 to a tract stretching from Delaware River
westward; encouraged settlement of area by writing glowing descriptions and
offering religious liberty and aid to immigrants; learned language of Delaware
Native Americans; settlers live among tribe peacefully for over fifty years
People
William Berkeley He was a British colonial governor of Virginia from 1642-52. He showed that he
had favorites in his second term which led to the Bacon's rebellion in 1676
,which he ruthlessly suppressed. He had poor frontier defense.
John Winthrop John Winthrop emigrated from the Mass. Bay Colony in the 1630's to become
the first governor and to led a religious experiment. He once said, "we shall be
a city on a hill."
Cotton Mather American Puritan leader. His writings may have caused the Salem Witch Trials.
Pontiac Ottawa Chief that attempted to drive out European settlers by going against
British frontiers
William Pitt William Pitt was a British leader from 1757-1758. He was a leader in the
London government, and earned himself the name, "Organizer of Victory". He
led and won a war against Quebec. Pittsburgh was named after him.
George Grenville 1st lord of treasury; took for granted the need for soldiers in colonies to defend
frontier; argued that Americans were obligated to share costs of own defense
because he needed to find new sources of revenue to support troops
Patrick Henry Patrick Henry was a fiery lawyer during revolutionary War times. Supporting a
break from Great Britain, he is famous for the words, "give me liberty, or give
me death!" which concluded a speech given to the Virginia Assembly in 1775.
This quote is a symbol of American patriotism still today. After the American
Revolution, Henry served two terms as governor of Virginia and was also
instrumental in the development of the Bill of Rights.
Thomas Jefferson 3rd president of US; envisioned country as an agrarian based society; prompt
expansion of IS through Louisiana Purchase and his change in stance
concerning the interpretation of Constitution from that of strict interpretation
to a looser position; retained support of Republicans by supporting limited
central government; reduced size of military; eliminated federal jobs; repealed
excise tax and lowered national debt. Democratic-Republican.
George 1st president of US; future presidents would follow his advice regarding
Washington alliances, one consequence of his presidency was the 2 term practice. Believed
US should be neutral.
Benjamin Franklin civic leader in Philadelphia; serve as voice of reason and caution during
debates at Continental Congress.
John Adams 2nd president; won presidency by 3 electoral votes; XYZ Affair, Alien and
Sedition Acts, impact of Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions.
Abigail Adams wife of John Adam; devoted patriot and prolific letter writer; served as
husband’s confidante
Samuel Adams convinced that parliament had no right to legislate for colonies; organized Sons
of Liberty and orchestrated the Boston Tea Party.
People
Thomas Gage commander in chief of British forces in North America (1764-75) and the last
royal governor of Massachusetts (1774-75; Gage was charged with enforcing
the Intolerable Acts; When he sent troops to seize military stores at Concord
and to apprehend John Hancock and Samuel Adams (April 19, 1775), the
fighting that broke out marked the start of the Revolutionary War
John Burgoyne served in the 7 year’s war; elected to the British House of Commons in 1761;
began a campaign to join British forces from the north, south, and west to
isolate the rebellious New England colonies
Benedict Arnold American commander; made plans to allow British to take West Point.
Nathan Hale captain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Nathan Hale
famously announced "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my
country.”
John Locke British political philosopher; believed governments derived authority from
people; argued that humans are created equal and had certain inalienable
rights, including life, health, liberty, and possessions; influenced Jefferson and
Declaration of Independence.
James Madison central figure at Constitutional Convention; knew most about historic forms of
government; assumed role of major author of constitution. President during
War of 1812.
John Jay 1st chief Justice of the Supreme Court; served as Continental Congress
President, ambassador to England, minister to Spain; served with John Adams
and Benjamin Franklin in negotiating Peace of Paris in 1783; supporter of
Constitution
Edmund Genet was a French ambassador to the United States during the French Revolution;
His actions endangered American neutrality in the war between France and
Britain
John Marshall appointed by Adams as Chief Justice; 34 years in Court; saw decisions affirming
judicial review; the right to take appeals from state courts; checking power of
states in terms of contracts; building power of central government
Robert Livingston A representative (1709-11, 1716-25) in the New York provincial assembly, he
was elected (1718) speaker and supported the legislative body in opposition to
the royal control of the governor.
People
Meriwether Lewis explorer along with William Clark,
William Clark Explorer along with Meriwether Lewis sent out to explore the recently
purchased Louisiana Territory. He served as the artist and cartographer. Their
exploring lasted from 1804-1806. They traveled up the Missouri River, through
the Rockies, and to the mouth of the Columbia River. This exploration bolstered
America's claim to western lands as well as opening the west to Indian trade
and further exploration
Robert Fulton The man who made steamships successful- transportation revolution.
Sacajawea The Indian woman who accompanied Lewis & Clark; Shoshone Indian; slave
wife of the expedition's French-Canadian guide, Touissaint Charbonneau
Aaron Burr vice president who tied with Jefferson in 1800 in Electoral College and lost;
attempt to orchestrate secession of Louisiana and a spate republic; betrayed
and tried for treason; Jefferson refused a subpoena requiring him to appear in
court with certain papers
Tecumseh Shawnee leader who tried to form a confederation of tribes to defend their
lands as they believed they held their lands in common; died in Battle of
Thames in 1813
Francis Scott Key Poet that wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" in 1814 during the War of 1812.
Written while watching Americans defend Fort McHenry. The poem has become
an important part of American identity.
Thoreau author of Walden and “Civil Disobedience”; determined to practice plain living;
He was a poet, a mystic, a transcendentalist, a nonconformist, and a close
friend of Ralph Waldo Emerson who lived from 1817-1862. Anti-slavery.
Edgar Allen Poe literary genius, considered fear to be the most powerful emotion, wrote “The
Tell-Tale Heart” and “ The Pit and the Pendulum”
Oliver Perry hero of the Battle of Lake Erie; U.S. ships under Perry's command defeated
British forces, a turning point in the War of 1812
William Harrison president in 1840; nominated by the whigs; victor at battle of Tippecanoe
against Shawnee in 1811, former governor of Indiana Territory, congressmen
and senator from Ohio, and Minister to Columbia;
Andrew Jackson did not agree with Bank- thought money were in hands of rich; forced the
Cherokee to move west;
John Quincy Adams 6th president of US; envisioned country as an agrarian based society; vision
prompted his expansion of IS through Louisiana Purchase; retained support fo
Republicans by supporting a limited central government; reduced size of
military, eliminated federal jobs, repealed the excise tax, and lowered national
debt
People
Daniel Webster orator and lawyer; senator from Massachusetts; defended federal government
and said that a state could neither nullify a federal law nor secede from union
Henry Clay Jackson’s chief political opponent; favored national bank and “American
System”; tried a bank re-chartering bill
Martin Van Buren Jackson’s secretary of state; rivaled Calhoun for position of successor to
President Jackson; skilled politician; advised Jackson through political crises
such as use of federal funds for local projects and nullification; president after
Jackson
Nat Turner Black priest; led a revolt in Virginia 1831, killed 60 people(mostly women and
children). This scared the Southerners because it was the first really violent
action of the slaves. As a result slave codes were made stricter.
Dorothea Dix began 2 year investigation of jails and poor houses in Massachusetts and
published report; by 1860 20 states made improvement; press charges in
prisons and asylums across country
Frederick Douglas Former slave who spoke of brutality of slavery from firsthand experience and
became most well known African American man in America.