UNITS 4&5: Jacksonian Democracy, Manifest Destiny, Civil War, and Reconstruction
Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837): AJ as president
Pros/facts: -"Hero" at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 -Reduced the National Debt to $33,733.05 -Called "Old Hickory" for ruggedness -Relied on group of informal advisors, "Kitchen Cabinet" instead of appointed cabinet members Cons: -Signed the Indian Removal Act into law. -Although Jackson defeated the British in New Orleans, it was technically after the war had ended. -By dissolving the National Bank he created a country-wide depression. -The Nullification Crisis! (see: nullification crisis) -Created the Spoils system. -Was fervently pro-slavery. -Called "King Andrew" by critics because he used power excessively, using the VETO more than any other president EVER!! -Fought in a multitude of duels and killed several people. -Broke numerous campaign promises. -The list goes on...
William Henry Harrison 1841-...1841
Pros: Folk hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe ("Tippecanoe, and Tyler too" referring to his vp John Tyler and his win at tippecanoe in 1812) The victory of the Whig Party--a reaction to the discontent of the Jackson presidency Cons: Ran on a campaign of lies Died from pneumonia after exactly one month in office, because he gave a two hour long inauguration speech in the middle of a blizzard, without his coat, like a literal idiot
Martin Van Buren 1837-41
Pros: He set up a bond system (Independent Treasury) to hold all federal funds and remedy the national debt A well spoken and talented politician in his early career Stopped the spread of slavery in the North (sort of) Cons: Defended slavery as a right in the South Spent tons of tax payer money on luxuries from overseas Furthered the "Trail of Tears" Continued the (ill advised) Jacksonian policy of decentralizing banks, which contributed to the Panic of 1837, which directly caused a myriad of catastrophic bank failures, five full years of economic depression, record unemployment levels and rioting in the streets... so....
Events leading to the Civil War: Panic of 1857
The Panic of 1857 was a financial panic in the United States caused by the declining international economy and over-expansion of the domestic economy. Because of the interconnectedness of the world economy by the 1850s, the financial crisis that began in late 1857 was the first WORLDWIDE economic crisis. "Cotton King" economy caused it (slave based). Sectional tension heightened.
2nd Great Awakening 1820s-30s
The Second Great Awakening/"Great Revival" was a Protestant religious revival during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1790, gained momentum by 1800 and, after 1820, membership rose rapidly among Baptist and Methodist congregations whose preachers led the movement. "Camp Meetings" Charles Finney, a MAJOR preacher nationalistic overtones, and women and African-Americans were heavily involved
Texas Question (1836-45)
The Texas Annexation was the 1845 incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the US, which was admitted to the Union as the 28th state in 1845. The Republic of Texas declared independence from the Republic of Mexico in 1836. At the time the vast majority of the Texian population favored the annexation of the Republic by the US. The Democrats and the Whigs, opposed the introduction of Texas (a vast slave-holding region) into the volatile political climate of the pro- and anti-slavery sectional controversies in Congress. Moreover, they wished to avoid a war with Mexico, whose government refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of its rebellious northern province. With Texas's economic fortunes declining by the early 1840s, the President of the Texas Republic, Sam Houston and Stephen Austin, arranged talks with Mexico to explore the possibility of securing official recognition of independence, with the United Kingdom mediating it all. Texas asked to be annexed as a state, but Jackson refused because he didn't want to tip the scales of free-to-slave states. From 1836-1845 Texas was its OWN COUNTRY known as "Lone-Star Republic", but finally annexed by James Polk
Slavery and the South: Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was a network of secret routes and safe houses established and used by African-American slaves to escape into free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. used by Harriet Tubman, a famous abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some thirteen missions to rescue approximately seventy enslaved people, family and friends, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. Called "moses"
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: details
In 1852, Franklin Pierce (Dem) won the election by a landslide, making Millard Filmore the last ever Whig to be elected president. The sectional controversies of the 1850s led to the collapse of viable nationwide two-party system. Instead, new parties with strong sectional ties made it much more difficult to get the nation's political process to acknowledge/contain the issue of slavery. Also the deaths of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun (between 1850-52) led to the absence of strong leaders who could compromise.
Antebellum Culture: Edgar Allen Poe
"The Raven" poem and "The fall of the house of Usher" (first ever modern detective story) Continuation on theme of emotions and mystery of life?
Jacksonian Democracy
"age of common man" electorate expanded to all white men (no property anymore) electoral college was chosen by popular vote, not by state legislatures. moving towards a more egalitarian climate (NOT YET) "The reign of King 'Mob' seems triumphant" post-good feelings era, still feelin good and AJ was fire to a lot of nationalists
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: Election of 1856
3-way contest that pitted dems, know-nothings, and republicans against each other Dem James Buchanan WON with support of south (booo) YET reps showed suprising strength for a party that was only 2 years old.
The Crisis of 1850: the compromise of 1850
-Brainchild of the "Great Compromiser" Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky. As part of the Compromise of 1850, the Fugitive Slave Act was amended and the slave trade in Washington, D.C., was abolished. Furthermore, California entered the Union as a free state and a territorial government was created in Utah. Through popular sovereignty was slavery allowed in New Mexico and Utah. It was also supported by Daniel Webster, who famously said "I wish to speak today, not as a Massachusetts man, nor as a northern man, but as an American, and a member of the Senate of the Unites States." -Overall, all compromise served to delay secession and were temporary "band-aid" solutions, because no single compromise would ever satisfy everyone
Organized Reform: Women's Rights
-Cult of Domesticity was a prevailing value system among the upper and middle classes. This value system emphasized new ideas of femininity, the woman's role within the home and the dynamics of work and family. "True women", according to this idea, were supposed to possess four cardinal virtues: piety, purity, domesticity, and submissiveness. The idea revolved around the woman being the center of the family; she was considered "The light of the home" -Demands= women's suffrage (right to vote), divorce, child custody, property. NOT birth control, abortion, equal pay. -Seneca Falls convention 1848= the first women's rights convention. It advertised itself as "a convention to discuss the social, civil, and religious condition and rights of woman" -Elizabeth Cady Stanton was excluded from international anti-slavery convention, so she said screw it and had her own convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Wrote Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions (Dec of Ind, essentially), stating equality and linked w abolition and temperance. -Susan B. Anthony was an American social reformer and women's rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. Born into a Quaker family committed to social equality, she collected anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17 -Lucretia Mott was a U.S. Quaker, abolitionist, women's rights activist, and social reformer. -Sojourner Truth was an African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826.
Expansion of Electorate
-During 1820s, Western state constitutions eliminate the property qualifications for voting and also allow for election of electoral college by popular vote, not state legislature. North changes their constitutions to match. Enormous increase in political participation of white men (1824= >27%, 1828=58%, 1840=80%) means pres is elected by common man
Election of John Quincy Adams: Election of 1824
4 candidates= Henry Crawford, JQA, Henry Clay, AJ meant that nobody won majority of Elec. Coll., so election is thrown into house of reps, and AJ "common man" is close to winning... BUT (see corrupt bargain)
Economic and Social Trends: Farming/general Tech
-John Deere invents STEEL PLOW in 1830s -Cyrus McCormick makes the REAPER (grain harvester) boom in agriculture/wheat -Elias Howe in 1846 makes sewing machine in 1846-- revolutionized sewing industry and made immigrants come to work in textile industry -Iron now mass produced in 1830s-1860s, and railroad was called "iron horse" -Coal replaces wood and water as major power source for factories, mined primarily in Pittsburgh area -Electric Telegraph--SO IMPORTANT-- invented by Samuel Morse (American painter and inventor) in 1843 congress built a telegraph line between baltimore and washington
Economic and Social Trends: Corporations
-New form of business which became popular in 1830s -allowed many shareholders to combine resources to start large companied, rather than depending on one man's wealth -Limited liability: if company fails, each shareholder only loses what he put in, and isnt liable for total losses. more investment!
Economic and Social Trends: Immigration
-Newcomers from Northern and Western Europe, especially Ireland and Germany, most immigrants settle in north (factories) or west (farming) rather than south -Irish: In 1845, Potato Famine devastated Ireland, so <1mil came to US, and faced sm hate, and many were single women-- settled in large Northeastern cities bc they were unskilled and poor so they couldnt buy farmland. -Germans=more $$ than irish, so they went west. Included first major wave of Jewish immigrants -Scandinavians: Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish went West. Greatest migration in 1860s -Chinese: Largest immigrant group on West Coast-- mostly men who came after GOLD RUSH 1848 to mine and came in 1860s to work on railroads. Faced severe racism!
Economic and Social Trends: Transportation
-The Canal Era- Erie canal finished in 1825, connecting Albany to NYC. Lowered prices and transport times and made NYC commercial center! First development to receive not-fed-funds but state-funding -Steamboat was invented by Robert Fulton in 1807, and by 1835 hundreds were on rivers -Clipper ships=Fast ocean-going trading ships (powered by wind and sails rather than steam) that tied northern merchants with the world in 1840s-50s -Railroads-- Railroad Era started in 1840s and railroad growth continued for 60 years, reached areas hard for canals, mountain-crossing, major gov't support, Chicago grew with train help, North had 3x as much track as South which meant south was isolated from mercantilism
Whig Party
-formed in the 1830s to oppose President AJ and the Democrats-- led by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, (initially) Calhoun, Horace Greeley. Whigs stood for protective tariffs, national banking, and federal aid for internal improvements. -Encouraged gov't participation and free-market system (prices are determined by unrestricted competition between privately owned businesses) -Disliked Westward expansion because it would dry up Northeast labor force concentration and lead to slavery conflicts (which states are slave/not). -Disperses in 1850s because of a split over slavery and tariffs; core members would become the republican party (See: Republican Party)
Slavery and the South: Mason-Dixon Line
-geographic border between slaves and free states, running between Pennsylvania and Maryland-- commonly used to distinguish North from South, and was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon.
Organized Reform: Abolitionist movement
-same thing as Emancipation and Manumission composed of mostly conservatives who considered slaves as property (wanted owners to be compensated for "free" slaves) -American Colonization Society, 1817: Advocated for slaves to simply be sent back, but after 200 years of being in America, slaves didn't wanna go back to Africa, so the colonization society kinda died out lol -William Lloyd Garrison: White new englander who edited The Liberator newspaper--advocated immediate and uncompensated emancipation, and supported feminism and pacifism. -Frederick Douglass was most prominent black abolitionist, former escaped slave. editor of newspaper and writer of book, was close to Garrison but split bc he was a pacifist, while Douglass would go violent to free slaves. Organized two regiments of African-Americans for the Union and helped convince Lincoln to emancipate slaves
Westward Expansion: Manifest Destiny
1840s term coined by journalist John O'Sullivan, and it was the belief that America was destined to expand to the Pacific Ocean, possibly Northward into Canada, and Southward into Mexico; also, a desire to remove Indians and spread democracy to "uncivilized people" fronteir example of rising nationalism that followed War of 1812, dems supported man. Dest, but Whigs HATED it, because new lands would decrease the labor pool for the Northeast and divide the country more on slavery.
Concurrent Majority
A federal law that is deemed harmful to the interests of an individual state could be declared null and void within those states by a convention of the people; a state could hold a minority position and ignore a law enacted by the majority that they considered unconstitutional. ESSENTIALLY: is a constitutional method of enabling minorities to block the actions of majorities by allowing minority groups veto power over laws
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: "Bleeding Kansas" 1856
A full-scale small-group war fought in Kansas over whether territory should be slave or free. Proslavery and free-state settlers flooded into Kansas to try to influence the decision. Violence soon erupted as both factions fought for control. Abolitionist John Brown led anti-slavery fighters in Kansas before his famed raid on Harpers Ferry (See Harper's ferry) and led an attack and murdered a pro-slavery family yassss Violence spread to Congress: Charles Sumner, abolitionist Senator from Mass., was severely injured when South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks beat him with a cane on the Senate floor. RESULT: pro-slavery Kansans supported Buchanan and passed the Lecompton Constitution (See Lecompton Constitution) but was admitted as a FREE STATE in 1861, after the Civil War had already begun.
Social and Economic Developments: Ostend Manifesto 1854
A manifesto (public declaration) written by American diplomats, strongly suggesting that the US seize Cuba (Spanish colony at the time) before Cuba could become an independent black republic. Also known as the Ostend Circular, was a document written in 1854 that described the rationale for the United States to purchase Cuba from Spain while implying that the U.S. should declare war if Spain refused. Free-Soilers denounced the manifesto as an attempt to extend slavery, and US eventually refused (repudiated) the manifesto
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Minstrel Shows
A popular form of musical and theatrical entertainment, in which white guys in "blackface" makeup would sing and dance, caricaturing black slaves. Stephen Foster is the most famous one and wrote "Oh Susanna"... wtf
Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837): Force Bill
AJ passed a Force Bill in response to Calhoun's resignation as Vp/anger towards him-- allowed him to use federal troopsto enforce collection of taxes and suggested hanging Calhoun. no bitch lol tf Henry Clay ended the dispute and passed a Compromise Tariff--to resolve the Nullification Crisis. The bill was very similar to the Tariff of 1832, but with a few exceptions.
Specie circular 1836
AJ's response right before he left office; in an attempt to curve inflation, banks would only accept hard currency (gold and silver "specie") instead of paper money for public land purchases... so specific tf lol Resulted in IMMENSE financial instability, which lead to the Panic of 1837 (see: Panic of 1837)
Election of John Quincy Adams: Election of 1828-- Jackson's comeback
Adams' National Republicans: JQA attracted most of the remaining federalists Supported economic nationalism of the preceding years (1812-1828) Jackson's Democratic Republicans: Appealed to a broad coalition that opposed "economic aristocracy" This and "Tariff of Abominations" led to AJ's win-- JQA won New England and mid-atlantic region, while AJ's was everywhere!!
Mexican-American War 1846-48: American Reactions
Americans were divided: some thought Mexico had provoked the war and believed in Manifest Destiny (Dems); others accused Polk of starting the war (Whigs). Henry David Thoreau protested the war in On Civil Disobedience (Resistance to Civil Government is an essay by American transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau that was first published in 1849). Northern abolitionists saw the war as a vast southern conspiract to spread slavery
Wilmot Proviso 1846
An Anti-slavery proposal by David Wilmot in 1846: "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist" in any territory acquired by US from Mexico Result: NEVER passed congress, but incited intense sectional feelings
Mormons
Are Mormons Protestants? No, but their founder, Joseph Smith, came from a Protestant background, and Protestant presuppositions form part of the basis of Mormonism-- also called the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -1830--Joseph Smith says he had divine moment and led to the discovery of The Book of Mormon (a new bible book): Smith said he found the plates on September 22, 1823, at a Hill, near his home in Manchester, New York, after the angel Moroni directed him to a buried stone box. ... Smith dictated the text of the Book of Mormon over the next several years, claiming that it was a translation of the plates. -Had to escape after discovered as polygamists so they made major migration and landed in Salt Lake City, Utah, led by Brigham Young after Smith is murdered. Still around today as most well organized utopian society
Social Consequences: Increased Sectionalism
As north industrialized, urbanized, and diversified, its culture and economy changed, separating it further from the south. The west connected transportation to north, isolating south even more!
John C. Calhoun
BEFORE 1820s: Defender of slavery, minority rights (not poc lol) and a lover of nationalism and protective tariffs. AFTER 1820s: views changed radically and he became a leading proponent of states' rights, limited government, nullification, and opposition to high tariffs—he saw Northern acceptance of these policies as the only way to keep the South in the Union.
Events leading to the Civil War: Dred Scot v. Sandford 1856-57
Background: Dred Scott was a Missouri slave who was taken into a free state and then back to a slave state. He sued his owner for his freedom Ruling: -Scott had no standing to sue in federal court, because he wasn't a citizen. No blacks could ever be considered citizens -Temporary residence in free states, even for several years, did NOT make slaves free -the Missouri Compromise of 1820 had been unconstitutional all along because Congress did not have the authority to exclude slavery from any territory whatsoever, because citizens should be able to take their "property" wherever they go Result: Increased sectional tensions -southerners were encouraged to take an extreme position to protect the ideals as a whole -northerners felt that there was pro-slavery conspiracy controlling all branches of gov't and that the whole country was essentially open to slavery. Basically: they'd lost all hope.
Economic and Social Trends: Free African-Americans
By 1850, 200,000 free African-Americans living in North and West, organized separate churches, their economic security was threatened by newly arrived immigrants, lived in segregated areas and couldn't vote. Couldn't move West bc illinois, indiana, and Ohio passed laws outlawing land ownership by African-Americans
Slavery and the South: Cotton Kingdom
Cotton Kingdom refers to the cotton-producing region of the southern United States up until the Civil War. As white settlers from Virginia and the Carolinas forced the original Native American inhabitants farther and farther west, they moved in and established plantations. Oppressed Natives to further oppress blacks!! Lol
Democratic Party
Democratic party=Jacksonians who opposed big fed gov't, urbanization, industrialization, and federal funding for internal improvements (See: Maysville road veto) mostly working class supporters (Irish-Catholic immigrants especially) Party dropped the "-Republican" ending and just became Democrats
Slavery and the South: Denmark Vesey and Gabriel Prosser
Denmark Vesey and Gabriel Prosser had planned slave revolts earlier than Nat Turner, but were killed before they could take place.
Organized Reform: Asylum reform
Dorothea Dix= fought for asylums for the mentally ill, whereas before they were imprisoned-- did NOT work on women's rights... tf lol
"Tariff of Abominations"
During JQA administration-- a new tariff on imported goods in 1828. This measure originated with the demands of New England wool manufacturers, but the admin. had to accept taxes on other items to gather support for the upcoming election--the benefits of protecting their manufactured goods from foreign competition outweighed the prospects of having to pay more $ for raw materials. JQA signed the Tariff bill, and enraged farmers who saw that their gov't didn't care about them as much as they did their $!
Mexican-American War 1846-48: Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo 1848
Ended the Mex-Am war!! Mexico ceded the territory that Polk originally tried to buy to the US (California, New Mexico, and Arizona) Increased America's territory by 33%; SERIOUS issues about slavery in the new territories arose which were settled by Compromise of 1850 (See: Compromise of 1850)
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Margaret Fuller
Feminist who edited the transcendentalist newspaper The Dial. "Women in the 19th Century" 1845-- stated that women have the right to develop their individual natures
Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837): Second Nullification Crisis 1832
Final split between AJ and vice Calhoun= Tariff of 1832--reduced the existing tariffs to fix the conflict created by the tariff of 1828, but it was still deemed unsatisfactory by some in the South, especially in South Carolina. AJ usually hated high tariffs, but passed it. Calhoun was PISSED ASF because the Tariffs SERIOUSLY blocked up South Carolina's economy--he resigned as vice prez and nullified the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, calling the nullification the "Ordinance of Nullification" and used his Concurrent Majority theory. AJ reacted by defending states' rights, and declared that all states must follow federal laws, as well as passing the Force Bill (see: Force Bill) in 1833. After Calhoun resigned as vp, he joined Henry Clay in the new anti-AJ Whig Party!
"Gag rule" 1836-44
Forbade any discussion of anti-slavery petitions, morals, or proposals in Congress. Former-pres JQA, now a congressman, helped to OVERTURN the gag rule in 1844.
California Gold Rush
Forty-niners: Goldseekers who went to California after gold was discovered first at Sutter's mill in 1848 Gold mining camps were very diverse: native whites, immigrant whites, Chined, Mexicans, and African-Americans meant it was a bit ahead of its time. in 1849, California petitioned to union as a FREE state Result: when territories applied for statehood, serious sectional crises ensues over slavery, and leads to development of railroads in California, increasing the demand of Chinese laborers
The Crisis of 1850: Election of 1852
Franklin Pierce (Dem) won by a landslide, ran against Winfield Scott (Whigg) and John P Hale (Free Soil)
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: Free-Soil party
Free-Soil= the belief that slavery should be prohibited from further spreading into the territories. Not strict abolitionists and not pro-racial equality, just believed that Western territories should be reserved for independent whites. Later merged into Republican party. 1848-1854
Organized Reform: Prison Reform
Goal of new penitentiaries was rehabilitation, not just punishment, Alexis de Tocqueville (Viscount de Tocqueville was a French diplomat, political scientist and historian. He was best known for his works Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the Revolution) came to US to study this
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Goals and focuses
Goal: to TRANSCEND the intellect and emphasize one's own emotional relationship with God (W/o help of church) focus: self-reliance and reverence for communion and nature and using intuition rather than reason. Spiritual, but not religiously affiliated.
Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837): Spoils System
Hated officeholders in Federal Gov't, so he created the Spoils System, where he awarded his own supporters with offices/positions in gov't-- "To the victors belong the spoils"-- giving out jobs as political rewards
Election of John Quincy Adams: "Corrupt Bargain"
Henry Clay drops out of the race and supports JQA (think Hillary w Obama) and so there's only one candidate on National Republican side, so its more focused and JQA wins election!! He appoints Henry Clay as secretary of state, and AJ uses this "corrupt bargain" to gain sympathy/support when he wins in 1828.
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau was an American essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian who wrote "Walden" 1854--about his 2-yr self-exploration while studying nature-- life of simplicity in crazy world "Civil Disobedience" 1849-- overnight stay in prison after protesting the Mexican War by refusing to pay a poll tax. Inspired Ghandi and MLK Jr.
Organized Reform: Education reform
Horace Mann=an American educational reformer and Whig politician dedicated to promoting public education. A central theme of his life was that "it is the law of our nature to desire happiness" Motivations for free school= some wanted to provide opportunity to everyone oberlin is first co-ed college and women's colleges open Catherine Beecher= advocator of higher education for women, vehement support of the many benefits of the incorporation of kindergarten into children's education.
Events leading to the Civil War: Lincoln-Douglas debates
Illinois senatorial campaign debates: democratic Senator Stephen Douglas vs unknown Republican Abraham Lincoln, where the primary issues were slavery in the territories, Dred Scott, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act DOUGLAS: "Freeport Doctrine" in which he argued that a territory had the right to exclude slavery despite contrary U.S. Supreme Court decisions. LINCOLN: while agreed with Douglas, he believed the doctrine didn't address the fact that slavery was a moral wrong. Famous q: "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Lincoln was portrayed as a radical abolitionist, despite being "free soil." Significance of debate: Even though Lincoln lost the race for senator, the debates gave him a national reputation that helped him win in 1860.
Social Consequences: Changing Lifestyles
In the north, majority of men became wage-earners rather than self-employed businessmen or farmers. Separated from nature because they didn't control their own lives anymore-- had bosses and responsibility... shown anxiety abt it in transcendentalism
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: End of Whig Party
Irish immigrants went to Dem because Whigs were anti-catholic and anti-immigrant Passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act irrevocably SPLIT the Whig Party, one of the two major political parties in the country at the time. Every northern Whig had opposed the bill; almost every southern Whig voted for it. With the emotional issue of slavery involved, there was no way a common ground could be found. Most of the southern Whigs soon were swept into the Democratic Party. Northern Whigs reorganized themselves with other non-slavery interests to become the REPUBLICAN PARTY, the party of Abraham Lincoln.
Slavery and the South: Nat Turner's rebellion
It was a slave rebellion that took place in Southampton County, Virginia, during August 1831. Led by Nat Turner, rebel slaves killed from 55 to 65 people, at least 51 being white. Captured and hanged publicly. Rebellion inspired fear in whites who compensated by killing hundreds of slaves. Turning point for slave/master relations. Majority of slaves practiced passive resistance: refusing to work hard, destroying tools and crops, and telling anti-slavery stories like "Br'er Rabbit"
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: Lecompton Constitution
It was the second constitution drafted for Kansas Territory, was written by proslavery supporters. The document permitted slavery (Article VII), excluded free blacks from living in Kansas, and allowed only male citizens of the United States to vote.
Election of John Quincy Adams: John Quincy Adams' Administration
JQA had short-lived party called National Republicans, who were essentially federalists (National bank, pro-industry, Northeast support) Very unpopular president, which leads to AJ winning because the people want such a drastic change runs for re-election and loses to AJ in 1828
Veto of the National Bank
Jackson saw his reelection in 1832 as a mandate from the people to destroy the National Bank; he therefore vetoed its recharter and then killed the bank completely by removing all federal funds from it by arguing that in the form presented to him it was incompatible with "justice", "sound policy", and the Constitution. He saw the bank as a corrupt tool of the rich elite that was hurting his precious "common man". Result was that pet banks (derogatory term for smaller state banks) issued their own paper money (each state having different currency) and created inflation and speculation (risk). Bank died in 1836,
Westward Expansion: Election of 1844
James Polk, a loyal Jacksonian Democrat, known primarily as "Manifest Destiny" president, and opposed tariffs and national bank. Polk called for expansion that included Texas, California, and the entire Oregon territory. The northern boundary of Oregon was the latitude line of 54 degrees, 40 minutes (54'40") . "Fifty-four forty or fight!" was the popular slogan that led Polk to victory against all odds. During his one and only term, US fought Mexican-American War and annexed Texas, Oregon territory, and much of the Southwest (and Mexico giving up land)
Oregon County: Oregon Fever
Lewis and Clark publicized Oregon's favorable soil, climate, and beauty. In 1844, Polk and the dems called for US ownership of all of Oregon, which had been jointly occupied by the US and britain.
Slavery and the South: Divisions in White Society lolol
MAJORITY OF SOUTHERN WHITES OWNED NO SLAVES!! wtf -Planter Class: Small minority of whites owned more than 20 slaves -Businessmen of the South worked primarily with the needs of plantations, not slaves (that was too nitty-gritty: they just dealt with bigger things) -Planters imported many European goods for their own leisure and selfishness, so they HATED tariffs on fancy imported items/goods!!
Mexican-American War 1846-48: Causes of Mex-Am war
Mexico considered American's annexation of Texas as antagonistic and disputed the border Am. immigrants in the Mexican states of New Mexico and California wanted to be part of the US, and US tried to buy California but Mexico refused (no mexican leader could afford to appear weak or else people would overthrow Mexican gov't) War officially started when Polk sent troops into the disputed Texas territory at Rio Grande River and they skirmished with Mexican soldiers. Many claim Polk deliberately provoked the conflict. DECLARATION OF WAR ON MAY 13, 1846!
Worcester v. Georgia
Missionary Sam Worcester and his family (wife and 5 fellow missionaries) refused to move from a land that was labeled an "Indian territory." In addition to refusing to move, the group refused to apply for the government license that would allow them to reside on the lands. Because of this refusal, the army entered the Native American lands and arrested Worcester along with the other 6 people. Following his arrest, Worcester appealed his charges and took his case to the Supreme Court. Worcester v. Georgia began on February 20th of 1832.
Economic and Social Trends: Industrialization and Urbanization
Most important economic development is the FACTORY!
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville
Non-fiction book by Alexis de Tocqueville, a French civil servant who travelled US to study prison system believed that american democracy grew from a lack of an inherited aristocracy praised individualism
Internal Migration: Urbanization
Old northeasternn cities (NYC) and new interior cities (Chicago, St. Louis, etc.) brought in migrants and created drastic income difference between poorest and richest
Slavery and the South: Paternalism and Positive Good
Paternalism= the policy or practice on the part of people in positions of authority of restricting the freedom and responsibilities of those subordinate to them in the subordinates' supposed best interest. Positive Good=theory is the idea that slavery was not, actually a "necessary evil," as Jefferson would describe it, but "a good-a positive good" institution for both blacks and whites in that whites get cheap manual labor and blacks benefit from the civilizing effect of being under the guidance of benevolent whites
City Populations in the 1770s
Philadelphia= 28,000 NYC= 25,000 Boston= 16000 Charles town (later charleston), South Carolina= 12,000 Newport, Rhode Island= 11,000
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson (was once a minister) an American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, and poet who led the transcendentalist movement. "American Scholar" 1837 "Nature" 1830 "Self-Reliance" 1841
Social Consequences: Unions
Rise of factories separating owners from workers and an early goal was a 10-hr work day. Unions were weakened by Panic of 1837 and competition of cheaper labor sources, initiated long-standing debate between organized labor, immigrants, and African-Americans.
Webster-Hayne Debate 1830
Senator from CT (Daniel Webster) suggested that all land sales and surveys me temporarily discontinued in the midst of routine debate over federal policy. Robert Hayne (senator from SC) said that CT-senator was just trying to stop the West from thriving in the way the East was. Webster turned into a Mass. senator and attacked Hayne for what he thought was an attack on the integrity of the Union--again brought up states rights vs national power. Webster delivered long ass speech: "made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people." "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable!"
Election of 1848
Status of slavery in the territories is major campaign issue, leading to creation of the Free Soil Party, and Polk doesn't run again. In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War, General Zachary Taylor of the Whig Party defeated Senator Lewis Cass of the Democratic Party and wins, despite having NO political experience. Taylor died in office from illness in 1850, and his vp Milliard Fillmore served the rest of his term.
Roger B. Taney
Supreme Court Justice 1836-1864, appointed by AJ-- placed autonomy of states over fed. gov't. He was the first Roman Catholic (and first non-Protestant) appointed both to a presidential cabinet, as Attorney General under President AJ, as well as to the Court.
Indian Removal: Cherokee Nation v. Georgia
The Cherokee tried to stop Georgie from taking the land of the "5 civilized Tribes"--Cherokee, Creek, Seminole, Chickasaw, Choctaw-- and took it to Supreme Court, where the court supported the tribe in that the state had no authority to negotiate with tribal representatives. AJ REFUSED this and said contemptuously: "John Marshall has made his decision. Now let him enforce it." in 1835 the gov't found a tiny fraction of Cherokee that could be bribed with $5 mil, and AJ sent an army of 7000 to round up the 17000 that didn't want to move westward.
Antebellum Culture: Hudson River School (1820-1880)
The Hudson River School was a mid-19th century American art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by Romanticism.
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed by the U.S. Congress on May 30, 1854. It allowed people in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether or not to allow slavery within their borders. The Act served to repeal the Missouri Compromise of 1820 which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36°30´ Written by senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois as a means of organizing Kansas and Nebraska into white-settlement territories. The political effects of Douglas' bill were enormous.
Maysville Road Veto 1830
The Maysville Road veto= May 27, 1830, when AJ vetoed a bill that would allow the federal government to purchase stock in the Maysville, Washington, Paris, and Lexington Turnpike Road Company, which had been organized to construct a road linking Lexington to Maysville on the Ohio River-- the entirety of which would be in the state of Kentucky. Congress passed a bill in 1830 providing federal funds to complete the project, but AJ vetoed the bill on the grounds that federal funding of interstate projects was unconstitutional.
Slavery and the South: Slave Culture
The institution of slavery usually tried to deny its victims their native cultural identity. Torn out of their own cultural milieus, they were expected to abandon their heritage and to adopt at least part of their enslavers' culture. But differences in experiences created an obvious divide: -house slaves vs field slaves, plantations vs small farms, rural vs. urban -think 12 years a slave -forbidden from learning how to read -Old Testament stories of Moses, music, folktales -after slave importation ended 1808 (The Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves of 1807=federal law that stated that no new slaves were permitted to be imported into US) the prices rose, and slave owners were insistent on keeping their slaves.
Oregon County: Oregon Treaty 1846
This agreement set the boundary between the United States and Canada at the 49th parallel west of the Rocky Mountains, veering around Vancouver Island and then proceeding through the Strait of San Juan de Fuca.
John Tyler 1841-44
Tyler had such an unpopular term that every cabinet member eventually resigned. Vetoed all of Henry Clays improvement ideas and bank proposals. Joined Democrats at end of term with Calhoun.
Social and Economic Developments: Uncle Tom's Cabin 1852
Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly, is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U.S. and is said to have "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War". Stowe, a Connecticut-born teacher at the Hartford Female Seminary and an active abolitionist, featured the character of Uncle Tom, a long-suffering black slave around whom the stories of other characters revolve. The sentimental novel depicts the reality of slavery while also asserting that Christian love can overcome something as destructive as enslavement of fellow human beings. In the first year after it was published, 300,000 copies of the book were sold in the United States; one million copies in Great Britain
Transcendentalism (1836-1860): Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. "Leaves of Grass" 1855-- book of poetry
Utopians (people)
Word usage=designed to improve the world of the "common man" Charles Fourier was a french philosopher, developed the idea of utopian socialist communities Roger Owen was a man who came to the US specifically to develop enlightened utopian communities Communities/aspects of Utopianism: Brook Farm=Transcendentalists--Brook Farm Institute of Agriculture and Education was a utopian experiment in communal living in the United States in the 1840s Shakers= sect founded by Mother Ann Lee (leader of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, or the Shakers) who believed in celibacy (no marriage or sex) Oneida=religiously-based socialist Utopian group led by John Humphrey Noyes, who believed in polygamy Fruitlands--vegetarians??
Panic 1837
Worst Depression EVER in American History, right as Martin Van Buren becomes President. Americans blame people in power (AJ "man of the people" lol) and motivate the reform movement.
Antebellum Culture: Nathaniel Hawthorne
Writer of The Scarlet Letter, Hawthorne's works belong to romanticism or, more specifically, dark romanticism, cautionary tales that suggest that guilt, sin, and evil are the most inherent natural qualities of humanity. Many of his works are inspired by Puritan New England, combining historical romance loaded with symbolism and deep psychological themes, bordering on surrealism.
Antebellum Culture: Herman Melville
Wrote Moby Dick based on his own experience at sea!! Continuation of theme of Puritan doctrine of "original sin" and mystery of life?
Antebellum Culture: Romanticism
a movement in the arts and literature that emphasized inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. "original sin" and the ability to improve oneself spreads quickly.
Social and Economic Developments: Gadsden Purchase 1853
a strop of land in southern Mexico and Arizona bought from Mexico in order to build a transcontinental railroad.
Decline of the Nationwide Two-Party System: Know-nothing party
aka American Party, serious Nativists, anti-catholic, anti-foreign, due to fear of germans and irish, called know-nothing because members would say "I know nothing" about secret meetings. Party ended in 1856 because there were opposing views on slavery within the party, just like the Whigs.
Organized Reform: temperance movement 1826
alcohol abstinence!! American Society for Promotion of Temperance (American Temperance Society) strongly supported by Protestants because it was seen by them as a moral duty?? Enemy was Catholic immigrants-- movement had anti-irish overtones because irish get crunk n drunk lol Most popular movement for women, since husbands spent so much $ on alcohol that they got tight asf. Temperance was conservative, which meant women could participate without doing radical shit
Indian Removal: Indian Removal Act 1830
authorizing AJ to grant unsettled lands west of the Mississippi River in exchange for Indian lands within existing state borders. A few tribes went peacefully, but many resisted the relocation policy. AJ wanted to remove the Cherokee because they were seen as civilized and westernized and his racist ass didn't like that. Soon to be Trail of Tears btw
Andrew Jackson's administration (1829-1837): Nullification Crisis 1828
effects of "Tariff of Abominations" was felt during AJ era, despite being passed under JQA-- John C. Calhoun wrote anonymous document South Carolina Exposition and Protest to protest the tariff and call for its nullification according to his theory of Concurrent Majority (See: Concurrent Majority). AJ warns Calhoun not to threaten the Union.
Republican party
formed in 1854 when the Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Dems along North-South lines and destroyed the Whig Party, and their principle was firm belief in free-soil (slavery should be confined to states where it already exists and not expanded) Southern dems saw reps as "Negro-stealing, stinking, abolitionist party." composed of: -northern dems -free-soilers -whigs (Abe Lincoln) -Know-nothing
The Crisis of 1850: Fugitive Slave Act 1850
from 1793 to 1850, a Fugitive Slave Act, providing for the return of escaped slaves, but was only loosely enforced (to the dismay of pro-slavery southerners) Provisions: the NEW Fugitive Slave Act passed in 1850 FORCED citizens to help catch runaway slaves or they would be fined or imprisoned. The accused fugitives were deprived of a jury trial/right to testify on their own behalf. Were sent back to their owners, and as a result, many free slaves were kidnapped and tried as fugitive slaves. Abolitionists nicknamed it the "Bloodhound Law" for the dogs that were used to track down runaway slaves. MANY riots from northerners in protest, and a lot of civil disobedience too.
Charles River Bridge Case
was an 1837 Supreme Court/Taney case regarding the Charles River Bridge and the Warren Bridge of Boston, Massachusetts about toll bridge operation rights-- a state could revoke a monopoly if the monopoly was no longer in the state's best interest. Taney makin first big moves as Supreme Court Justice/states have more autonomy!
Trail of Tears 1838
~1,000 Cherokee fled to NC, where the fed gov't provided them with a small reservation, but most of the remaining 15,000 made a long forced trek by Van Buren to "Indian Territory" (later Oklahoma) thousands perished before reaching their unwanted destination, and the survivors called it "The Trail Where They Cried" or the Trail of Tears.