US History Midterm
What was Shay's Rebellion and its effect?
(1786) A rebellion of upset western Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays (farmer) against Massachusetts government because of the high taxes enforced and unemployment of many former soldiers. - Effect: showed how weak the Articles government was (since it couldn't stop the conflicts) and the need to change it
What was the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions and what did it argue (and by who)?
(1798-1799) - This was the Democratic Republicans response to the Alien and Sedition Acts. They heavily opposed it because they believed that Federalists were trying to suppress free speech. - Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argued that the acts were illegal + unconstitutional - Theory of nullification: states could nullify (ignore) federal laws that they considered unconstitutional (during John Adam's presidency-2nd US president)
What was the Embargo Act?
(1807) Banned all overseas trade to hopefully hurt Britain's and France's economies and to make them stop seizing American ships and stop practicing impressment. - This ended up hurting America's economy more than Britain's/France's economies. (during Thomas Jefferson's presidency-3rd US president)
How did the War of 1812 end?
(1814) Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812 between the US and Britain with no clear winner - no exchange of territories
Why was the Battle of New Orleans important?
(1815) This battle was fought without realizing the War of 1812 was over. - Andrew Jackson successfully defended New Orleans from British invasion and became a national hero for doing so. - It inspired a sense of pride because it felt like the US had won the war over Britain even though it already ended.
What was Hamilton's economic plan and what did it include? What was the effect?
(He was a Federalist.) "Report on Public Credit" - Pay off debt to be more respected by foreign leaders: - selling government bonds to get rid of all debts (even states') - assumption of states war debt by federal government (fed. gov't assumed responsibility of all debts, states and federal-meaning that states who paid off their debts also had to help pay off other state's debts too) National Bank - stabilize US economy by having a national bank (currency) and stop states from irresponsibly printing their own money ---> can issue loans to American merchants (who plan to start/grow their business) (IMPORTANT) "Report on Manufactures" - to pay off debt: create new taxes (including excise tax on American-made whiskey) - to promote growth of American industries: government subsidies/payments and tariffs on imports (which protects them from foreign competition by making the foreign items more expensive) Effect: Significantly improved the US economy
What was the Constitutional Convention?
(aka Philadelphia Convention) Meeting of delegates in 1787 to originally revise/amend the Articles of Confederation but ended up creating the new U.S. Constitution.
What was the Alien and Sedition Acts and its purpose?
- Alien Act: targeted French immigrants (to prevent spies) - Sedition Acts: created penalties for those who publicly criticized the US government Purpose: to promote national security against the growing French threat
What were the effects of the American Revolution during and after it?
- British forced to leave the colonies - U.S. gained independence and self rule. - The US now had debt from borrowing heavily from Europe and runaway inflation from printing paper money - Loyalists, who had difficult lives during the American Revolution due to their lands/properties being taken from them, moved permanently to Britain, Canada, and British colonies in the Caribbean after the war. - Native Americans were negatively affected because their lands, which was once protected by British, was now given to the US postwar meaning that Americans could now settle in their lands. - Slaves during the war could gain their freedom in exchange for military service (most fought on Britain's side)
What were the main beliefs of Federalists?
- Led by Alexander Hamilton - strongest in northeastern states - strong federal government (more active) - loose interpretation of Constitution
What were the main beliefs of Democratic Republicans?
- Led by Thomas Jefferson (includes James Madison) - strongest in southern/western states - weak/limited central government ---> strong state governments - strict interpretation of Constitution - believed that current administrations were favoring rich at the cost of lower classes
What were the components of the British military strategy in 1776 (related to after the battle of Lexington and Concord-1775) ? - And what was the outcome of what the British did?
- planned to cut off New England colonies from the rest in order to prevent rebellious ideas from spreading and to better control them by invading NYC, taking control of the Hudson River (in between NE and other colonies), and then cutting NE colonies off. ---> Outcome: NYC got taken over (late 1776) and became headquarters for British army and colonial center for loyalists
How did the US perform early on into the War of 1812?
- poorly, weren't prepared for British and their native allies - failed efforts to invade Canada - American port cities blockaded by British navy
What was George Washington's cabinet and who was apart of it?
A group of trusted advisors (consisted of people who Washington agreed and didn't agree with so he could get different views and opinions on things before making decisions on them) Secretary of Treasure (top economic advisor): - Alexander Hamilton (Federalist) Secretary of State (top diplomat/negotiator/ambassador) - Thomas Jefferson (Democratic Republican) (These two frequently had conflicts due to different political goals)
What is impressment and what was its effect?
British practice of taking American sailors and forcing them into military service in the British navy. (during times of war between Britain + France, 1793-1815) - Effect: led to Embargo Act (1807) and War of 1812
What caused the American Revolution?
Caused by the new taxes that were imposed on colonists by Britain. They argued that they were not represented in Parliament, and therefore should not have to support a government that they have no voice in. Also, the government was not meeting the needs of the colonists and was controlling of them.
What was the Federalist Papers?
Collection of essays in favor of the new Constitution written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay during the ratification debate.
What was the Marbury v. Madison case?
Established principle of judicial review, meaning that the Supreme Court has the power to determine the constitutionality of laws. (whether it's constitutional or not)
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise? (both sides and the final decision)
Final decision: - 3/5 of the slaves population counted towards population (3 out of every 5 slaves counted) ---> gives South more representation but still not as much as originally wanted ---> Effect: further encouraged the practice/importation of slavery through the Constitution. (along with representatives voting on not banning slavery until 1808 since most of them were also slave owners) 2 sides: Southern states: - Had many enslaved people, so they wanted them to count towards state's population to get more representatives Northern states: - Had little enslaved people, so they didn't want them to count towards state's population, afraid that the South would have more power.
What was the Connecticut/Great Compromise? (both sides and the final decision
Final decision: - Proposed by Roger Sherman, this compromise created a bicameral legislature (2 houses): ---> House of Representatives (lower house): representation based on population size ---> Senate (upper house): equal representation (2 per state) ---> BOTH houses must approve to pass a law 2 sides: Virginia Plan: - benefits large states - Proportional representation Jersey Plan: - benefits small states - Equal representation
What was the Battle of Lexington and Concord?
First battles of the American Revolution, which was fought outside Boston. - The colonial militia successfully defended their stores of munitions (weapons) when Britain was on the way to destroy it, resulting in the British being forced to retreat to Boston.
During the earlier years of the American Revolution, what challenges did George Washington face as commander in chief of the Continental army? - How did he overcome that in battles?
He didn't have a professional army that was well trained, disciplined, and reliable (instead, they often returned home after fighting during the summer; not full-time) - He overcame this by using non-traditional war tactics to make the war last long as possible; he kept his army intact for as long as possible and attacked during the winter (Battle of Trenton) which wasn't common since they only fought during the summer.
Why is Eli Whitney important to the Industrial Revolution?
He invented: - The cotton gin: sped up the process of harvesting cotton and removing seeds, which made cotton more profitable and increased the importance of slavery. - Standardized interchangeable parts: made it easier to fix certain mechanical devices by swapping out the damaged parts.
What was the Treaty of Paris 1783?
It was the peace treaty signed by Britain and the US that ended the Revolutionary War. - Britain recognized American independence gave away land east of the Mississippi River (expanded US westward to Mississippi). - Americans promised to not punish former Loyalists and return their confiscated property from during the war.
Why was the Erie Canal important?
It was a New York state canal that connected Lake Erie (Great Lakes region) to New York's Hudson River. It dramatically lowered shipping costs and travel time between the eastern coast (cities-manufactured goods) and western markets (agricultural-provide food, farming). Benefited the east and the west.
What was the War of 1812 (and who opposed it) and what was it caused by?
It was the war between the US and Britain over issues of trade/impressment. Demonstrated America's willingness to defends its interests militarily. - opposed by Federalists/New Englanders because it had badly hurt American trade Cause: (Am. was tired of this treatment) - British seizure of American ships and impressment of American sailors - British encouraging Natives to attack Americans on western frontier - War Hawks (group of congressmen) encouraged James Madison to declare war on Britain. Largely drawn from the South and West, they resented British constraints/restrictions on American trade and accused the British of supporting Indian attacks against American settlements on the frontier. (ex. Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun) (during James Madison's presidency-4th US president)
Who were loyalists vs. patriots?
Loyalists: remained loyal to Britain during American Revolution Patriots: supported American Revolution and gaining independence from Britain
What was the Whiskey Rebellion and its significance?
The rebellion of angry Western Pennsylvanians who made whiskey against the excise tax on whiskey. They didn't want to pay the taxes (only use to state's taxes) - George Washington led an army of militia members into Penns. and ends the rebellion. Significance: showed the strength/supreme power of the new federal government over the states
What was the Revolution of 1800 and its significance?
This was when Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican) got elected as President in 1800 after John Adams (Federalist). Significance: -1st time that the federal government transferred power from one party to another ---> this peaceful transfer becomes a central component of American politics
What was the XYZ affair and what did it lead to?
This was when US diplomats (negotiators) were sent to France to negotiate but France wanted the US to pay a bribe before discussing anything. US refused to pay and felt disrespected, leading to an undeclared war (Quasi-War) with France.
What was gained from the Louisiana Purchase?
US gained land/territory west of the Mississippi River from France. ---> Doubled the size of the US, benefitted farmers like Jefferson wanted. (during Thomas Jefferson's presidency-3rd US president)
What was Valley Forge?
Valley Forge was the location where Washington and his army spent a very difficult winter, suffering from disease, hunger, and cold weather (many died) - Baron von Steuben (german military officer) also helped train the soldiers during this time.
