APUSH Chapter 9
Webster-Ashburton Treaty 254
1842 between the US and the Brits, settled boundry disputes in the North West, fixed most borders between US and Canada, talked about slavery and excredition
What was the reaction of the older states to these democratic trends? Cite some examples
Change provoked resistance, and at times, the democratic trend fell short or the aims of the most radical reformers, as when Massachusetts held its constitutional convention in 1820. Reform minded delegates complained that in the Massachusetts government the rich were better represented than the poor, both because of restrictions on voting and office holding and because of a peculiar system by which members of the senate represented property rather than simply people. page 236
Five Civilized Tribes 239
Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks, Chickasaws, and Seminoles; "civilized" due to their intermarriage with whites, forced out of their homelands by expansion
Spoils System
the practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters. A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.
Martin Van Buren
(1837-1841) Advocated lower tariffs and free trade, and by doing so maintained support of the south for the Democratic party. He succeeded in setting up a system of bonds for the national debt.
William Henry Harrison (1841)
(1841), was an American military leader, politician, the ninth President of the United States, and the first President to die in office. His death created a brief Constitutional crisis, but ultimately resolved many questions about presidential succession left unanswered by the Constitution until passage of the 25th Amendment. Led US forces in the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Nullification 245
A state's refusal to recognize an act of Congress that it considers unconstitutional The doctrine that a state can declare null and void a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution.
What was the outcome of the nullification crisis? What, if anything, did the antagonists learn from the confrontation?
Although no other states supported SC, Henry Clay devised a compromise in which the tariff would gradually be lowered, so that by 1842 it would be the same price as it once was in 1816. The compromise as well as the force bill were both passed. This taught the antagonists, led by Calhoun and Hayne, that no state could defy the federal government alone.
Indian Territory 240
An area to which Native Americans were moved covering what is now Oklahoma and parts of Kansas and Nebraska
How did Calhoun attempt to resolve this dilemma? What arguments did he use, and on which sources did he draw?
Calhoun cited the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution and stated that since the Fed Gov was a creation of the states, the states could hold a special convention and declare any federal law unconstitutional and null it (nullification doctrine).
How did Martin Van Buren's and John C. Calhoun's backgrounds and rise to prominence differ?
Calhoun had a promising political future but ran into several issues due to the tariff of 1816 as he was once a protectionist who supported the tariff. This created an issue for South Carolina that he solved by drawing from Madison and Jefferson in quoting the 10th Amendment. He basically argued that the state, not Congress or the courts, should determine whether or not this tariff was unconstitutional. Van Buren, on the other hand, believed in stronger federal government. In 1828, he won governorship over New York. The following year he was appointed Secretary of State and established himself as a member of the Kitchen Cabinet, holding a heavy influence close to that a President Jackson.
Roger B. Taney
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court when Dred Scott decision was made As chief justice, he wrote the important decision in the Dred Scott case, upholding police power of states and asserting the principle of social responsibility of private property. He was Southern and upheld the fugitive slave laws.
Removal Act of 1830 239
Congressional act that authorized the removal of all Native American tribes east of the Mississippi to the west. The Trail of Tears and other forced migrations caused the deaths of thousands.
Daniel Webster 231
Famous American politician and orator. he advocated renewal and opposed the financial policy of Jackson. Many of the principles of finance he spoke about were later incorporated in the Federal Reserve System. Would later push for a strong union.
Webster-Hayne Debate 236
Hayne first responded to Daniel Webster's argument of states' rights versus national power, with the idea of nullification. Webster then spent 2 full afternoons delivering his response which he concluded by saying that "Liberty and Union, now and for ever, one and inseparable"
How did the Webster-Hayne debate fit into the controversy between Jackson and Calhoun? What brought about the debate, what was the major point of disagreement between the two, and what were the arguments advanced?
Hayne responded to a charge to temporarily stop all land sales by stating that slowing down the growth of the West was a way for the East to retain its political/economic power. When Webster attacked Hayne (and Calhoun), it implied that the challenge to Hayne about a debate over public lands and tariffs was really a challenge of states' rights to national power. When Jackson sided with Webster, it further deepened his problems with Calhoun.
What was the origin of the split between Tyler and Clay? What effect did it have on the administration? On the Whig Party? What was the result?
He refused to support efforts to recharter the BUS and vetoed several internal improvement bills. A conference of Congressional Whigs read him out of the party. Cabinet members resigned. New political alignments emerged with southern Whigs preparing to rejoin Democrats.
Why did the Whigs select William Henry Harrison as their candidate in 1840? How did his campaign "set a new pattern for presidential contests"?
He was a descendant of the VA aristocracy, a renowned soldier, and popular national figure. The 1840 campaign saw the emergence of the "penny press" which carried news of the candidates to common people. They used catchy slogans and techniques of mass voter appeal.
Dorr Rebellion 231
In 1841, Rhode Island was governed by a 1663 charter which said that only property holders and their eldest sons could vote (1/2 the adult male population). Thomas Dorr led a group of rebels who wrote a new constitution and elected him governor in 1842. The state militia was called in to stop the rebellion. Dorr was sentenced to life imprisonment, but the sentence was withdrawn. Dorr's Rebellion caused conservatives to realize the need for reform. A new constitution in 1843 gave almost all men the right to vote. Short-lived armed insurrection in the U.S. state of Rhode Island; Agitation for changes to the state's electoral system
What were the general characteristics of "Jacksonian Democracy," its philosophy, and its practice?
It was not true democracy, but an effort to extend suffrage to all white males in spite of whether or not they were property owners. It stated that society's goal should be to eliminate the favored status of powerful elites and make opportunity more widely available. However, its purpose was not to aid farmers, laborers, blacks, slaves, women, or natives; it was to challenge the power of eastern elites for the sake of the rising entrepreneurs of the South and the West.
What was the Kitchen Cabinet? Who were its members? Why did it come into existence?
It was the president's unofficial circle of political allies. It included Van Buren, whose influence with the president grew stronger and unmatched. It also included Democratic newspaper editors such as Hill and Kendall.
What were the origins of the Calhoun-Jackson split? How did the Eatonton administration contribute to the division? What effect did it have on the Jackson administration?
It was the president's unofficial circle of political allies. It included Van Buren, whose influence with the president grew stronger and unmatched. It also included Democratic newspaper editors such as Hill and Kendall.
Bank War 242
Jackson believed the Bank of US had too much power and was too rich. Vetoed the 2nd Bank charter and withdrew gov't money from the US Banks and put it into "pet banks"
What was Jackson's reaction to South Carolina's attempt at nullification? How did his action in this case correspond to his action in the case of the Cherokee removal? What accounts for this?
Jackson insisted that nullification was treason and those who implemented it were traitors. He strengthened the federal forts in SC, ordered a warship to Charleston, and proposed a force bill that authorized the use of military if the acts of Congress were disobeyed.
What was Jackson's opinion on the Bank of the United States? On what did he base his views? What other factors contributed to his stand?
Jackson opposed renewing the charter of the BUS because he opposed concentrating power either in the federal government or in the powerful/aristocratic institutions associated with it. After his business had failed and he went into debt because of his paper credit in the Panic of 1797, he then became suspicious of all banks and paper currency.
How did Jackson's action in the matter of the Cherokee removal correspond to his views on the role of the president and on the issue of states' rights?
Jackson responded to Marshall's rulings based on his belief that the justices were using the larger aims of his presidency. When Cherokee still refused to retreat after the treaty, Jackson ordered troops to invade, leading to devastating results.
How did Jackson respond to the efforts to recharter the Bank? What reasons did he give for his action, and what effect did the election of 1832 have on his Bank policy?
Jackson vetoed the bill to renew the charter because he opposed giving the federal government too much power. His triumphant win in the election of 1832 made him much more determined to destroy the bank, however its charter would not expire for another four years, so he tried to weaken it by removing the government's deposits.
Explain Jackson's position on states' rights. How did he apply this to the matter of internal improvements?
Jackson was quoted to have said, "Our Federal Union-It must be preserved" (242). In this statement he has let it known that the Federal Union was most important. Even while others including his vice president disagreed, the Northerners respected Jackson because of this.
How has the debate over Jacksonian Democracy focused not only on Andrew Jackson but on the American society in the Jacksonian era as well?
Jacksonian democracy ended the era known as the "monopoly" government and made policies that have more power to the people. It also gave more power to the executive branch and allowed judges to be voted on rather than appointed. This points out that US society has moved more towards a republic and put more value on votes.
What programs did Martin Van Buren propose to ease the depression? Why did he act in this way?
On the one hand, his administration strongly opposed government intervention and did little to fight the depression. On the other hand, some of the steps that it took may have made things worse, including the creation of an "independent treasury" to replace the BUS. (252-3)
Nicholas Biddle 242
President of the Second Bank of the United States; he struggled to keep the bank functioning when President Jackson tried to destroy it. As President of the Second Bank of the United States, this man occupied a position of power and responsibility that propelled him to the forefront of Jacksonian politics in the 1830s. He, along with others who regarded the bank as a necessity, realized the threat posed by the election of Andrew Jackson in 1828. Jackson was bitterly opposed to the national bank, believing that it was an unconstitutional, elitist institution that bred inequalities among the people. A bitterly divisive issue, the rechartering of the bank dominated political discussion for most of the 1830s, and for many, this man became a symbol of all for which the bank stood. After Jackson's reelection, the Second Bank of the United States was doomed.
How did the Supreme Court under Roger B. Taney differ from the Court under Marshall? What groups profited from Taney's decisions?
Roger B. Taney argued that the object of the government was to promote happiness and that the state had the right to amend a contract if it was necessary to the well-being of the community, as oppose to Marshall's view. This decision allowed new companies to profit from this economic opportunity instead of leaving older corporations to maintain monopolies and choke off competition.
Aroostook War 250
Series of clashes between American and Canadian lumberjacks in the disputed territory of northern Maine, resolved when a permanent boundary was agreed upon in 1842.
What was Nicholas Biddle's initial attitude toward the Bank's involvement in politics? What caused him to change his mind, what steps did he take, and who were his supporters?
Since Biddle was unaccustomed to politics, he decided to name Webster as the bank's legal counsel and helped win the support of Clay as well. They persuaded Biddle to renew the charter four years ahead of time so it would effect the election of 1832, and so Clay would have a shot for winning the election for the National Republicans.
What groups were excluded from this widening of political opportunity? Why?
Slaves were excluded because they were not considered citizens and were believed to have no legal or political rights. Free blacks were excluded to vote anywhere in the South and hardly anywhere in the North. Women were excluded in all states.
John C. Calhoun 246
South Carolina Senator - advocate for state's rights, limited government, and nullification (1830s-40s) Leader of the Fugitive Slave Law, which forced the cooperation of Northern states in returning escaped slaves to the south. He also argued on the floor of the senate that slavery was needed in the south. He argued on the grounds that society is supposed to have an upper ruling class that enjoys the profit of a working lower class.
What was the dilemma faced by John C. Calhoun, and what factors gave rise to it?
South Carolinians believed that the tariff of abominations was responsible for the stagnation of their state's economy, when it was actually due to farmland exhaustion. This threatened secession, and Calhoun's future political hopes rested on how he met this challenge.
How did Calhoun and South Carolina propose to test the theory of nullification? What factors contributed to their decision?
South Carolinians responded angrily to the lack of relief from the tariff by holding a state legislature convention to vote to nullify the tariff and forbid the collection of duties within the state.
Anti-Masonry 245
Started in upstate New York in the mid-1820's as a grassroots movement against Freemasonry, a secret male fraternity that attracted middle- and upper-class men prominent in commerce and civic affairs. Opponents of Masonry claimed the fraternity to be unrepublican; Masons colluded to bestow business and political favors on each other. Evangelicals denounced Masonry.
How did the supporters of the Bank respond to Jackson's action? What did Biddle do? What were the results?
Supporters of the BUS blamed Jackson's policies for the recession caused by his calling in of loans and raised interest rates, in an attempt to have a short recession to persuade Congress to recharter the BUS. Biddle contracted credit too far in an effort to save his bank, threatening his allies interests. But then, his grant of credit in abundance ended his chances of winning the recharter of the BUS.
What was the general condition of the American economy in 1836? What factors contributed to this? What was the most pressing problem that Congress and the administration faced between 1835 and 1837, and how did they propose to solve it?
The American economy was experiencing a boom. Canal and railroad builders were at a peak of activity. Prices were rising, money was plentiful, and credit was easy as banks increased their loans and notes with little regard to their reserves of cash. The land business was booming. The government was selling public land, which created a federal budget surplus and reduced the national debt. Congress passed a "distribution" act requiring Congress to pay its surplus funds to the states by issuing unsecured "loans" which the states in turn used for construction of roads, highways, canals, and railroads.
Trail of Tears 240
The Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their lands. They traveled from North Carolina and Georgia through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas-more than 800 miles (1,287 km)-to the Indian Territory. More than 4, 00 Cherokees died of cold, disease, and lack of food during the 116-day journey. (AJ) , The Cherokee Indians were forced to leave their lands. They traveled from North Carolina and Georgia through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas-more than 800 miles (1,287 km)-to the Indian Territory. More than 4, 00 Cherokees died of cold, disease, and lack of food during the 116-day journey.
How did the party philosophy of the Whigs differ from that of the Democrats?
The Democrats envisioned expanding political/economic opportunities for white males, limiting the role of the government, and siding with the union (attacking center of corrupt privilege). The Whigs wanted to expand federal government, commercial development, industrial development, but were cautious of westward expansion.
Explain the different ways the Indians responded to Jackson's policies. What was the outcome for the different tribes?
The Indians were forced along a brutal journey along the "Trail of Tears" to retreat back to the "Indian Territory". 1/8 of the Indians died along the way. The tribes were forced to relocate in the new Indian Territory (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia).
What was the program (inherited by Jackson) designed to deal with the Indians who lived east of the Mississippi? What happened when this program was applied to the Cherokee in Georgia?
The Removal Act was designed to appropriate money to finance federal negotiations with the southern tribes aimed at relocating them to the West. Thus, these foreign tribes proved to be took weak to resist, and eventually ceded their lands. The Cherokees, however, refused to accept the treaty that made them cede their land to Georgia for $5 million along with a reservation west of the Mississippi.
What were the accomplishments of Webster as secretary of state?
The Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842 established a firm northern boundary between the US and Canada along the Maine- New Brunswick border that survives to this day.
What was the Whig strategy in the election of 1836? Who was the Democratic candidate? Why was he selected? What was the result?
The Whigs could not agree on a single candidate, so they ran three candidates and hoped they might draw enough votes from Van Buren as a whole to prevent him from getting a majority and therefore throwing the election to the House of Rep, where one of the three would be selected. Van Buren was nominated as Andrew Jackson's personal choice, and the democrats followed. However, Van Buren won easily despite the Whigs' efforts.
What caused the Panic of 1837? What effect did it have on the nation? What effect did it have on the Democratic Party?
The government was selling good land and receiving in return various state bank notes worth no more than the credit of the issuing bank, so in Jackson's last year in office, he issued "specie circular", which provided that in payment for public lands the government would only accept gold or silver coins. It produced a financial panic; banks and businesses failed, unemployment grew, prices fell, railroad and canal projects failed. Since this occurred during a Democratic administration, the Democrats paid the political price for it.
What role did the western states play in the growing democratization of American politics?
The new states of the West were the first to adopt constitutions that guaranteed all adult white males the right to vote and to hold public office. Older states, who feared population loss and wanted to encourage some residents to stay, began to grant similar political rights to their citizens.
Andrew Jackson 230
The seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), who as a general in the War of 1812 defeated the British at New Orleans (1815). As president he opposed the Bank of America, objected to the right of individual states to nullify disagreeable federal laws, and increased the presidential powers.
How did the spoils system fit into Jackson's "democratic" plans?
The spoils system was a time in which Jackson removed about 1/5 of the federal officeholders of the time. It helped to make the right of the elected officials to appoint their own followers, which limited the power of permanent officeholders, therefore, attempting to transfer the power to the people.
What was the effect of this growth of democracy? How did it change, or not change, the American political system? What is its significance?
This growth of democracy led to many changes. Electors were now to be chosen by popular vote, rather than by the legislature. More adult white males have began to vote. The two-party system developed (Anti-Jackson: Whigs, Pro-Jackson: Democrats). These changes gave the people more power and representation.
What did the selection of John Tyler as Harrison's vice-presidential candidate reveal about the composition of the Whig Party?
Tyler was a former Democrat; he refused to support Clay's rechartering of the BUS, agreed to bills abolishing Van Buren's independent treasury system, and vetoed several of Clays' internal improvement bills.
Why did Daniel Webster not resign from the Tyler cabinet when the other Whigs did? What were the diplomatic problems on which he was working?
Webster had to deal with rising tensions between GB and the US. GB seized and burned a US ship in attempt to defeat Canada, and refused to compensate for it. Tensions also flared up between borders of Canada and Maine, resulting in the "Aroostook War".
What did Calhoun really hope his theory of nullification would accomplish?
Well this theory said that "since the federal government was a creation of the states, the states-- not the courts or Congress-- were the final arbiters of the constitutionality of federal laws. If a state concluded that Congress had passed an unconstitutional law, then it could hold a special convention and declare the federal law null and void within the state"(241). And he came up with this law really, because he believed that it would help south Carolina, because they were having problem with the tariff. And if he wasn't able to help out his home state of South Carolina, then his future political hopes would be diminished.
Panic of 1837 246
When Jackson was president, many state banks received government money that had been withdrawn from the Bank of the U.S. These banks issued paper money and financed wild speculation, especially in federal lands. Jackson issued the Specie Circular to force the payment for federal lands with gold or silver. Many state banks collapsed as a result. A panic ensued (1837). Bank of the U.S. failed, cotton prices fell, businesses went bankrupt, and there was widespread unemployment and distress.
Who were the Whig leaders? How do they reflect the variety of political opinions found in the Whig Party?
Whig leaders were Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. Clay wanted to implement the American System (program for internal improvements and economic developments), but he was a devious operator and already lost the election three times. Webster won support through his speeches in defense of the Constitution, but he had a close connection with the BUS and tariff control. Calhoun never considered himself a true Whig and was known in the nullification controversy.
How did white Americans justify their policies toward Native Americans? What evidence is there to suggest that there were other alternatives available to expanding Americans?
Whites justified their policies by claiming that natives were obstacles that needed to be removed; they lacked the intelligence, industry, moral habits, and desire to improve needed to extend white civilization westward. Evidence of previous peaceful relations between whites and natives suggested an alternative that proved white settlers and naval tribes living sided by side and creating a shared world.
Caroline Affair 250
canadians rebelled against GB and chartered an american ship to send supplies from NY, british authorities seized the ship and burned it killing an american. NY authorities arrested canadian authority who was under british orders. almost sparked a war btwn US and GB
Seminole War 243
conflict that began in Florida in 1817 when the Seminoles resisted removal. conflict that began in florida in 1817 between the seminole indians and the us army when the seminoles resisted removal
Whigs 234
conservatives and popular with pro-Bank people and plantation owners. They mainly came from the National Republican Party, which was once largely Federalists. They took their name from the British political party that had opposed King George during the American Revolution. Their policies included support of industry, protective tariffs, and Clay's American System. They were generally upper class in origin. Included Clay and Webster
John Tyler 240
elected Vice President and became the 10th President of the United States when Harrison died 1841-1845, President responsible for annexation of Mexico after receiving mandate from Polk, opposed many parts of the Whig program for economic recovery
Specie Circular 246
issued by President Jackson July 11, 1836, was meant to stop land speculation caused by states printing paper money without proper specie (gold or silver) backing it. It required that the purchase of public lands be paid for in specie. It stopped the land speculation and the sale of public lands went down sharply. The panic of 1837 followed.