Periodization
The years 1800-1848 is known as an era of expansionism and began with Thomas Jefferson's election as president. The transfer in parties is recognized as being a peaceful transfer. With his term as presidency, Jefferson focused on limiting government power. Despite his attempts at limiting the federal government's power, he did the opposite withe purchase of the Louisiana Purchase from France's Napoleon Bonaparte, which also contrasts to his belief in a strict interpretation of the Constitution. The Louisiana Purchase only encouraged the growth of expansionism and the idea of Manifest Destiny.
The United States later became involved in British and French affairs. Once again, Americans were at war with their former brethrens, the British. This was yet another chance for the United States to prove its strengthened independence from Britain and became known as the Second Revolutionary War, though the end of the war spelled the end of the Federalist Party with the Hartford Convention. The war's success was greatly attributed to war hero Andrew Jackson. With his popularity as a hero of the war, he would later quickly gain ranks into presidency; however, Monroe's administration marked the "Era of Good Feelings." Nationalism dominated the country as Americans shared sentiments of a peaceful time in history. The era was quickly wiped out with an economic downfall and the growing differences in the regions of the country. Tensions were briefly relieved in reference to Henry Clay. Jackson regained speed as the president during this time period. His Jacksonian Era was the era for common men as it is generally referenced as. While he initially had the ideas of common men in mind, he began exercising his power as president and expanded the executive branch. Not only did he expand the executive branch, but he also continued expansionism with the idea of Manifest Destiny. Shortly afterwards, reform movements dominated the country. Movements like the temperance movement, women's rights, abolitionism, education reform, and prison reform dominated the minds of Americans as they were once again inspired by Enlightenment. |
Turning Points/Major Events
Marbury v. Madison (1801)
presidency - Madison, Jefferson's Sec. of State, refused to send the order of the justice - Petition on behalf of Marbury and other justices ensued and Marbury insisted Marshall to order Madison to send the commission - Marshall said no and thus, the case of Marbury v. Madison
- Setting up the government |
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Purchase - Jefferson was strict on what the Constitution said except for when he bought the Louisiana Purchase so people were asking "what the heck Jefferson" hypocrite
- Loose interpretation of the Constitution
- Settlement |
Macon's Bill #2 (1810)
- Non Intercourse Act
- Said whomever stopped the shipping restrictions against the U.S. first (Between France & Britain), the U.S. would stop trading with the other country - France beat Britain to it
- War of 1812
- Trade - Isolationism |
War of 1812 (1812)
- Battle at Fort McHenry where the US national anthem was written - Ended with the Treaty of Ghent - This is considered to be like a 2nd American Revolution since the U.S. proved it could fend for itself against a large power
- Andrew Jackson becomes a war hero, helping him with the election - Era of Good Feelings begins
- War |
American System (1816)
- Second Bank of the United States - High tariffs - Connected transportation system
- 2nd BUS - Tariff of 1816 - Erie Canal - National Road
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Monroe Doctrine (1825)
trying to overtake the nations - Meanwhile France and Britain were doing their own thing where they were trying to mess with Spain to prevent its growth - Charles Canning, a foreign secretary, suggested the U.S. intervene, but Washington amongst others gave a huge no no to the prospect
TR's term
- Isolationism |
Missouri Compromise (1825)
imbalance between the slave and free states - Maine, another state wanting to join, could join as a free state, therefore balancing it - A permanent solution: States above the 36' 30 line would join as free states while states below that would join as slave states
- Civil War - Kansas Nebraska Act
- Popular sovereignty |
Adams-Onis Treaty (1825)
John Quincy Adams, granting the U.S. Florida - The U.S. paid $5 million
Florida - Added Florida to the U.S.
- Expansionism |
Trail of Tears (1830)
- The Cherokee were granted land in Georgia as a previous agreement - Gold was found in Georgia and Americans wanted the land, believing it was their right and destination to expand their land and attempted to take the land from the Cherokee - The Cherokee brought the conflict to the Supreme Court who settled on the Cherokee's side - Andrew Jackson is a big baby and sent federal troops to lead the Native Americans away
- Americans took the land from the Native Americans - Jackson was beginning to look like a major butt hole
- Settlement |
Comparisons
Federalists & Democratic-Republicans
Similarities
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Federalists
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Democratic-Republicans
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Adams-Onis Treaty & Louisiana Purchase
Similarities
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Adams-Onis Treaty
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Louisiana Purchase
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Whig Party & Federalist Party
Similarities
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Whig Party
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Federalist Party
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