Early US History Key Concepts

• Key vocabulary and important concepts for Unit 4 Quiz 2.

Washington's Farewell Address

• George Washington's speech at the end of his presidency advised the U.S. to:
  • Stay isolated
  • Avoid political parties
  • Avoid foreign alliances
  • Stay united as Americans

Alien and Sedition Acts

• These acts were initiated by John Adams
• Any male French citizen over 14 living in the U.S. would be deported
• It was illegal to speak negatively about the government during war

War Hawks

• A group of young men that encouraged James Madison to engage in the War of 1812 with Great Britain

War of 1812

• sometimes called the second war for independence
• A war between America and Great Britian over impressment
• Ended in a stalemate with the Treaty of Ghent

Impressment

• The British would capture American sailors and force them into the British Navy

Treaty of Ghent (1815)

• Ended the War of 1812

Louisiana Purchase (1803)

• Thomas Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon (France) for $15 million
• This doubled the size of the U.S.
• It gave the U.S. access to the port of New Orleans and control of the Mississippi River

Lewis and Clark

• Two explorers led the Corps of Discovery
• Group assigned by Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory

Manifest Destiny

• The American belief that America was destined to expand to the Pacific Ocean
• Used to justify claiming territories like Oregon, Mexican Cession, and Texas

Mexican-American War

• War between Mexico and America
• Fought over a disputed border of Texas

The Alamo

• An American fort, where 200 Texan soldiers faced 6,000 of Santa Anna’s troops during the Texas Revolution
• All Texans were killed in the battle

Mexican Cession

• The large piece of land given to the U.S.
• Agreed in the Treaty of Guadalupe - Hidalgo
• Ended the Mexican-American War

Acquisition of Florida

• The U.S. bought Florida from Spain for $5 million in the Adams-Onís Treaty (1819)
• Andrew Jackson invaded Florida to kill Seminoles and recapture slaves prior to the purchase

Texas Revolution

• Texas declared independence from Mexico because they felt their rights were not being defended
• Texans fought against Mexico's president, Santa Anna, to become independent

Oregon Territory

• The territory including land south of the 49th parallel
• Acquired through the Oregon Treaty

54°40' line

• The debated latitude line
• The U.S. argued that they should get the land south of it in the Oregon Treaty

Elections of 1824 and 1828

• The election of 1824 was considered a "corrupt bargain"
• Andrew Jackson won the election of 1828 due to support from the common man

The Common Man

• The lower/working class in America

Andrew Jackson

• The 7th President of the United States
• Broke promises from his inaugural speech
• Abused his power
• Forced Native Americans from their land through the Indian Removal Act
• Used the spoils system
• Gave government jobs to political supporters

Indian Removal Act

• Enacted by Andrew Jackson
• Forced Native Americans off their land
• Relocated them to reservations west of the Mississippi River

Trail of Tears

• The forced 800+ mile journey by Native American groups
• Relocated due to the Indian Removal Act
• Many Native Americans died due to poor conditions

The Mormons

• A religious group led by Brigham Young
• Forced to move west due to religious discrimination and physical harm
• Also moved for religious freedom

49ers

• People who migrated west during the California Gold Rush of 1849

Gold Rush of 1849

• Period after gold was discovered in California
• Many people moved west hoping to find gold and become rich

Cotton Gin

• Device that greatly increased the speed of cotton production
• Led to a large increase in slavery

Monroe Doctrine

• Speech written by the fifth president, James Monroe
• Told European countries they could not create more colonies in the Western Hemisphere
• The U.S. would consider it a threat and act to protect itself

Abolition Movement

• The movement to end slavery

Temperance Movement

• The movement to end Alcoholism

Women’s Rights Movement

• Women wanting voting equality

Declaration of Sentiments

• Document written by women
• Similar to the Declaration of Independence
• Over 300 women and men signed it
• Declared how women should be equal to men