Unit 2 Quiz 1 - American Studies

Explain why there was a rise in "political democracy" in the first half of the 1800s. (Focus on the idea of "Jacksonian Democracy" and the changes in political participation.)

-"Political democracy" = the expansion (or broadening) of the people's right to participate in gov't and to hold elected offices Many states abolished voting requirements based on property ownership and/or taxpaying (started in the more western states) -So-- result was - eventually there was universal white male suffrage -- all white men could vote regardless of their wealth -- opened up political participation to a much broader swath of Americans ***Direct connection (cause/effect) between the rise of political democracy and the election of AJax to the presidency

Explain the spoils system (a.k.a. "political patronage"). How did President Andrew Jackson use this system to increase his political support?

-"Spoils system" = replacing people in gov jobs w/ new people who support and are loyal to the new President -AJax rewarded his political supporters with nice government jobs -- so they would continue to support him

Identify specific developments in transportation networks during the market revolution and explain how these developments impacted the American economy and society.

-1790-1820s: "Turnpike Era" -The National Road (1811-1818) -Steampower & Steamboats -Robert Fulton's The Clermont (1807) -1820s-1830s: "Canal Age" -The Erie Canal (aka "Clinton's Ditch") -Built from 1817-1825 -Connects the Great Lake and Hudson River -Steam locomotives -1st U.S. railroad -> 1830 -- the B&O (13 mile stretch) -Telegraph (1844)

factors that promote nationalism

-Common culture (language, religion, history, values) -Homogenous (same) ethnicity? -compact/isolated geography -Common enemy or threat

Explain why Congress passed (and President Andrew Jackson signed) the Indian Removal Act (1830). Explain the impact this law had on Native Americans tribes in the Southeast (such as the Cherokee).

-Congress passed the Indian Removal Act (1830) to implement the policy of freeing up land in the East (east of the Mississippi River) for white settlement -- where to put the Indian tribes? A: West of the Mississippi River -- land from the Louisiana Purchase -The Federal Gov forcefully removed Indian tribes from their homelands -- especially in the Southeast. A prime example was the Cherokee removal - "Trail of Tears"

What impact did the purchase of the Louisiana Territory have on the debate over slavery?

-Disagreements grew over the issue of slavery when the Louisiana Purchase was added to the U.S. -Many Northerners wanted to ban (prohibit) slavery in these new western territories. -Many Southerners wanted to expand the slave labor system (and cotton growing) into the western territories. ***The Louisiana Purchase ends up intensifying sectional differences over the issue of slavery.

Explain why there was an increased demand for free (non-slave) labor in North during the market revolution. How was this increased demand for labor met?

-Factory production in the North (New England) -Lowell Mills, Massachusetts -Provided housing & competitive wages -Seen as a "model" of factory employment -Rapid expansion of industry -> intense competition -Need to cut wages, lengthen hours -> "Lowell System" unsustainable

Issues that led to sectional differences:

-In some ways, the development of distinct regional economies during the market revolution increased sectional differences -although transportation networks were developed and did help to tie the nation together -- the South was not so closely woven into this transportation network

Explain why there was an increased demand for slave labor in the South during the market revolution. (Relate to technological developments and changes in the Southern agrarian economy.)

-Infrastructure building in urban areas -Farming in the Midwest -Cotton production in the South -Cotton gin

German Immigration

-Instability in fatherland -Lack of farmland -Many settled in Midwest region -Became farmers

Explain the difference between nationalism and sectionalism.

-Nationalism - devotion & loyalty to one's country (Henry Clay - "American System") -Sectionalism - devotion & loyalty to one's particular state or region of the country *** different factors promote either nationalism or sectionalism

Explain the outcome of the War of 1812 and how it impacted American nationalism.

-No clear winner in the war — U.S. and Britain sign a treaty to resolve issues later -During the war, Federalists in New England opposed war with Britain — threatened to secede (Hartford Convention) -BUT when the war ended, the Federalist Party lost popularity & influence (died) — and the U.S. entered time period known as the "Era of Good Feelings" — a period of unity, only one political party — increased sense of nationalism

Irish Immigration

-Potato famine -Poor tenant farmers -English persecution -Men & women immigrated -- "coffin ships" -Settled mainly in east coast cities in North -Many Irish women replaced native-born women working in factories -Many Irish men -> construction jobs

Define nativism. Explain the reasons why nativist groups (such as the Know Nothing Party) opposed the immigration of certain ethnic groups. (Relate to WASPs.)

-Rise of Anti-immigrant sentiment -> NATIVISM -The Know Nothing Party -Nativist political party formed in 1850s -anti-Catholic, pro-Protestant, xenophobic -Goals: prevent immigrants from holding political office -25-year residency to become a U.S. citizen (prevent immigrants from holding power and voting) -Native born WASPS believed immigrants posed threats: -Competition for jobs -Political influence -Moral ills: crime, poverty and drinking -- also disease -Spread of Catholicism

Explain how President Thomas Jefferson's philosophy of constitutional interpretation ("strict constructionism") conflicted with his desire to acquire the Louisiana Purchase.

-TJ was a strict constructionist - believed in reading the Constitution word for word (literally -- with no outside interpretation) -- he did not want to imply powers that gave the federal gov't more power -PROBLEM: The Constitution does not explicitly give the federal gov't the power to acquire/purchase land -TJ has a dilemma -- follow his principle or purchase Louisiana? TJ temporarily set aside his strict constructionist principle

Explain how President Andrew Jackson challenged constitutional principles with regard to the Supreme Court decision in the case Worcester v. Georgia (1832).

-The Cherokee go to court to challenge their removal from lands in Georgia -- the case Worcester v. Georgia (1832). Chief Justice John Marshall rules in favor of the Cherokee -- and says that Indian removal has to stop. -AJax refuses to enforce John Marshall's decision -- and he continues the policy of Indian Removal. A challenge to checks and balances.

How did the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 strengthen American nationalism?

-The purchase of the Louisiana Territory promoted nationalism by expanding trade between the sections of the nation -- the Mississippi River became the backbone of American trade and travel -Also: Native Americans in the east were moved to land in the Louisiana Territory -- most Americans rallied behind the idea of moving Indian tribes to the West

"WASPs"

-White -Anglo-Saxon -Protestant

Explain how changes in the American economy during the market revolution led to changes in the role of women in American society. (Relate to the "Lowell System.")

-Young, single women in North recruited from the countryside -> why? -Recruited to work in textile industry -"Lowell System" -Challenge to traditional domestic roles of women -> lower-class, working women not fitting into the model -"Lowell System" -> highly regimented, paternalistic (women were in strict situations, restrained from going out) -Some women -> created unions and went on strikes

Factors that caused the market revolution:

-development of transportation networks to connect towns, cities, regions (this creates markets) -development of new technologies to allow more efficient production of goods, crops (so surpluses can be produced for sale at markets) -development of a stable banking system (to provide loans/credit for expanding businesses) -new sources of labor to produce surplus goods (young New Englenad women to work in factories, immigrants)

What actions did President Andrew Jackson take during his two terms in office that strengthened presidential power?

Actions: use of the spoils system, removal of Indians to the west and his refusal to listen to the S. Court's decision in Worcester vs. GA

Identify the three (3) key parts of Henry Clay's "American System." Why did Henry Clay think his proposed "American System" would be beneficial to the United States?

Clay was concerned that economic developments were dividing the nation along sectional lines (Northeast, South, Midwest) -- so he made a plan to try to integrate the sections of the nation together economically: 1. Federal gov't should impose high tariffs to protect industries in the Northeast 2. Federal gov't should invest funds in the creation of "internal improvements" -- transportation networks 3. Federal gov't should create a stable banking system -- led by the national bank -- provide loans for businesses to invest and grow

Factors that promote sectionalism

Diverse culture Heterogenous ethnicity? Expansive/diverse geography

Chinese Immigration

First influx of Chinese immigrants: *Began during CA Gold Rush (1849) *Almost exclusively men *Mining companies recruited Chinese men to work *Advantages over other laborers -- industrious, low pay -Impact on American Society -Nativist reaction -> Xenophobia, the "yellow peril" (peril means danger) -Laws passed to restrict freedom of Chinese -1852: CA law -- "foreign miners" tax -Goal: exclude Chinese from gold mining -With fewer mining jobs -> Chinese worked on railroads, domestic jobs

Why did President Thomas Jefferson think it would be beneficial for the United States to acquire the Louisiana Purchase from France?

TJ wanted the U.S. to acquire the Louisiana Purchase from France because -He did not want France to become the enemy of the U.S. -It would give the US complete control of the Mississippi River & the port at New Orleans (would benefit trade) -It would give the U.S. more land than it would need for generations -- for farming & settlement

Explain why President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine and explain the key provisions (parts) of this doctrine.

The Monroe Doctrine was issued in 1823 because many Latin American nations had gained their independence from their European colonizers. So, President Monroe stated: 1. U.S. would stay out of European affairs (isolated & neutral — just like GW had told us to) 2. The Western Hemisphere (North & South America) is no longer open to European colonization — no more making colonies (do not try to retake former colonies) 3. Attempts by European nations to recolonize in the Western Hemisphere will be seen as unfriendly and a threat to the U.S.

Explain the causes of the War of 1812.

The primary cause of the War of 1812 (U.S. declared war on Britain) was that the British were not respecting U.S. sovereignty as an independent nation. Specifically: 1. British impressed (kidnapped) U.S. sailors 2. British incited (encouraged) Native American attacks on U.S. settlers on the frontier 3. British did not respect U.S. territorial claims (border disputes)

Define the "market revolution."

The transformation of the American economy in the first half of the 19th century from -A small, localized and mostly subsistence economy to -A larger, national economy with a great increase in the exchange of goods

How did the issuance of the Monroe Doctrine show a strengthening of American nationalism?

When the U.S. issued the Monroe Doctrine, it was ASSERTING itself in foreign policy with regard to the great European powers — so this demonstrated a growing confidence among Americans about their nation and its place in the world.

Define "domestic industries." Explain where domestic industries first developed in the United States and why they grew so rapidly during the market revolution.

manufacturing that developed in the U.S. - the earliest were grain milling, textiles (spinning & weaving), shoes