War of 1812
Marshall's 3 Principles
1. Judicial Authority 2. Supremacy of national laws 3. Traditional property rights Significance: Marshall's principles allowed federalist policies to continue.
Gibbons v. Odgen
A New York lawyer wanted to grant a monopoly to Aaron Ogden for a steamboat passenger service across the Hudson River to New Jersey. Thomas Gibbons sued against Odgen. Marshall sided with Gibbons, because he had a federal licence to run steamboats between the states. Significance: Marshall asserted that the constitution gave the federal government authority over interstate commerce.
McCulloch v. Maryland
After the establishment of the second national bank, state branches were created and were disliked because they caused competition with other banks. Maryland legislature imposed a tax on on the Baltimore branch, but the branch refused to pay the tax, claiming that the tax infringed on national powers and and was therefore unconstitutional. Maryland responded by claiming that congress lacked the authority to establish a national bank anyway and that if the bank was legitimate that they could tax the bank's activities within the state. Marshall rejected both arguments. He said that the bank was constitutional because it was necessary and proper for the government to have control over currency and credit. He also said that Maryland did not have the authority to tax the bank. Significance: Marshall interprets the Constitution in a way that gives broad powers to the national government. He also asserts the dominance of national laws and institutions over state laws and institutions. He asserts that states can not control national operations.
Battle of New Orleans
British troops land on the outside of New Orleans and threaten American control of the Mississippi, which was a major trade route. Jackson destroys the British troops. Significance: Jackson becomes and national hero, which will later lead to his presidency. The victory undercuts the demands of the federalists at the Hartford Convention because the news of Jackson's victory arrives at the same time the federalist delegates arrive.
Era of Good Feeling
During the James Monroe presidency, there was an era of political consensus after conflict, but the era was only transitory. Significance: There was only one political party.
Federalists Protest "Mr. Madison's War"
Federalists question how invading Canada will help protect commerce and how if this is a battle of honor, why are we not fighting with France. The federalists also believe that Madison is rushing into things without considering the consequences, such has how the US tiny navy is supposed to beat the best navy in the world and how the US is supposed to protect and continue a profitable commerce. The federalist also do not see a benefit of the war, since the war is for honor. They do not see how the many possible harmful effects of the war will be justified by honor. The federalists also think that our invasions into Canada invites and invasion into the US, which could cause loss of land.
Doctrine of Continuous Voyage
France and Britain used this doctrine to seize any America merchant ships, even if goods were not going to Britain or France, by claiming that the goods wood eventually end up being traded to France or Britain.
Embargo of 1807
French and Britain were at war with each other and both countries did not want America to trade with the other country. To stop American trade with France, Britain enforced a naval blockade and seized American ships in the French West Indies and stole American crew members, who they claimed were deserters, to put into the British navy (a practice called impressment). Americans became very angry after the seizing of the US navy vessel Chesapeake, which killed three, wounded eight, and had three Americans stolen. Finally, Jefferson decided to pursue a policy of peaceful coercion. He prohibited all trade with other countries. Unfortunately, he overestimated French and British reliance on American exports and underestimated the resistance of the American merchants. Some merchants continued to trade. Significance: Embargo angered merchants, some of whom were New England federalists and would be a cause for the Hartford convention. Embargo also weakened the economy and made the US unfit for the war of 1812, which they almost lost.
James Madison
He was another Republican elected president right after Jefferson, despite the unpopularity of the Embargo. He is often thought as a too timid and indecisive president.
Battle of Tippecanoe
Indiana Governor attacks the Western War Hawks and destroy their holy village while Tecumseh is absent. Both sides have heavy casualties. Significance: This battle destroys Indian resistance and leaves the land open for American colonization.
Adam-Onis Treaty
John Quincy Adams persuades Spain to cede Spanish Florida in exchange for Texas and a compromise of the Louisiana border. Significance: It defined the US-Mexico border, and stopped the heated international debate of the US-Mexican border. The US gained complete control of the east coast, except for Canada.
War of 1812
Madison was pushed into sending an ultimatum to Britain, but Britain ignores it and Madison must approve the war. Americans first tried to invade Canada, but are forced to retreat. Eventually they return and burn the capitol of York, now called Toronto. They also are able to defeat a British flotilla on the Great Lakes. Tecumseh, now a British general in exchange for land in Canada, is killed at the Battle of Thames. The tide of battle turned in Britain's favor after political divides prevent further war. New England Federalist oppose war and prevent local militia from fighting. Boston merchants and banks refuse to lend money to the federal government, despite there being little funding to the war. In New Hampshire, federalists oppose higher tariffs and national conscription. Britain interrupts commerce worsening the economy and they take revenge by burning Washington DC. Most victories and most important victories are won by Andrew Jackson in the southwest. Significance: The war creates deeper political divisions and leads to the Hartford Convention, which causes the destruction of the Federalist party and the emergence of the National Republicans.
What is happening in Europe that affects America
Napoleonic Wars
Market Economy
National Republicans, who were led by Henry Clay and adopted most federalist policies, pushed for and were able to establish a second national bank. An economy where the government has little influence. Significance: The market economy causes the split of the Republican party and is the economy the US still has to today. It was a transition away from colonial economy and lead to the growth of the American economy as its own separate economy.
Dartmouth College v. Woodward
New Hampshire enacted a law that made Dartmouth, a private college, a public university. Dartmouth trustees opposed the legislation and had Daniel Webster plead their case. Marshall and Webster both agreed that a government could not break a contract, and a royal charter counted as a contract. Thus Dartmouth remained as a public college. Significance: Marshall safeguarded property rights, especially of chartered corporations.
Monroe Doctrine
Quincy Adams persuaded Monroe to tell Europe that America is no longer open to colonization and that the US will remain out of European affairs. Significance: US asserted its diplomatic leadership in the Western Hemisphere. It separated American and European affairs.
Western War Hawks
Republican congressmen called for war against Britain. They stated that Britain was breaking the Treaty of Paris and Jay's Treaty by supplying Indians in the Northwest with weapons. They also wanted land in Canada. Significance: Eventually, these congressmen would push the timid and indecisive Madison and the disastrous War of 1812 would start.
Discuss the accuracy of the federalists' predictions?
The American economy and commerce fell, the British burned Washington DC, and the US was losing to Britain's superior navy.
A Republican Defends the War
The Republicans believe the war is justified due to the blockades and impressment and that the war is only for defensive reasons. The Republicans blame the poor state of the war on the Federalists because they caused division of the states and refused to supply resources for the war. The Republicans find it ridiculous that the federalists would not support and help with the war when there is so much at stake. Republicans are angry that federalist refuse to supply soldiers and money for the war. Republicans point out that congress votes in support of the war, while some talk of succession. Republicans are angry that federalist harass the government. Republicans believe the war is dragging on not by a fault of the government, but by the federalists who have created a rift.
What specific dangers did Josiah Quincy and the federalist a foresee with regard to Republican war policies?
The federalist believed that Madison was rushing too quickly into decisions that might have bad consequences, such as an invasion form Britain in retaliation for burning York. The Federalists were correct; Britain burned down Washington DC. Federalists also believed we were unequipped to fight the British navy and how the US is supposed to protect and continue a profitable commerce.
How had Republican war goals changed since the start of the war? Niles charged the Federalists and their supporters with impending the American effort. What were his specific charges? Did they have any merit? How might the Federalists have defend their stance with respect to the war?
The rebuplicans only were fighting the war for defense since the British blockade and impressment, but the war turned bad and the US was now fighting for the survival of their country. Niles said the federalist created divisions by avoiding paying to finance the war, refusing to give men to fight, and harasses and embarrassing the government. These claims were true as New England federalist had the Hartford Covention, refused to pay taxes, and avoided conscription. The federalist might defend their stance by saying they are boycotting a war that they do not agree with because of its inevitable loss to Britains navy, the wars negative effect on the economy, and the inconsistency of only fight Britain when France had done the same wrongs.
Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa
These are two Indians in the Northwest, who received weapons from Britain and would revive the Western Confederacy. Tecumseh was the leader and wanted more rights. His brother, Tenskwatawa, was a prophet and brought more appeal to Tecumseh by promoting a return to the old traditional ways. Tecumseh was able to unite most Indian tribes in the Great Lakes area.
Macon's Bill No. 2
This bill reopened trade. It stated that if either France or Britain came forward and said they would no longer interrupt US trade, then America would not trade with the other country, but with just the country that came forward. Britain came forward and America did not trade with France, but Britain still interrupted trade.
Treaty of Ghent
Treaty that ended the War of 1812. The borders stayed at the prewar borders. Significance: Showed the effects that Napoleon had on Europe and that America was not ready for war.
Hartford Convention
Unhappy with the poor economy caused by the war and the VA dynasty, federalists meet in Hartford to propose changes to the constitution. They are as follows: 1. limiting the presidency to a four year term and rotating it among citizens of different states 2. restricting an embargo to only 60 days 3. requiring two-thirds majority of congress to declare war, prohibit trade, or admit a new state Significance: Convention would cause the end of the federalists party because it made them appear unpatriotic since they unsupportive of government decisions and wanted to change government rules.
According to Washington, what is the ultimate cause of factionalism? Why does Washington believe that factionalism is most dangerous in "popular"--that is, republican-- government?
Washington thinks the disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty. Washington argued that political parties needed to be restrained in a free country with a government empowered by the consent of the governed and established through popular elections. He warned of the possibility fearing they could distract the government from its required duty to the people and even lead to the eradication of the freedoms established by the founding.
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington warns against continuing political parties because they can often lead to people promoting themselves instead of trying to fix problems. Washington also warns against getting involved in treaties that might drag the US into war.