US History Early 19th Century Quiz

Continued Rise of Political Parties

• Debates about the federal government's role sparked political divisions
• The Supreme Court established supremacy over state rulings
• Divisions within Washington's cabinet (Hamilton v. Jefferson) led to the creation of political parties
• These parties debated foreign policy, tariffs, and federal power in the early 19th century
• Federalists (John Adams) favored a strong central government and a national bank, warm relations with Britain, and high tariffs
• Democratic Republicans (Thomas Jefferson) supported a smaller central government with states' rights, opposed a national bank, high tariffs, and favored relations with France

Notable Supreme Court Cases

• Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) affirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and the constitutionality of a national bank

Expansion Under Jefferson

• The Louisiana Purchase (1803) from France for $15 million expanded U.S. territory and influence in North America
• This agreement established trade with France and granted citizens of New Orleans particular trading rights.
• James Monroe negotiated the treaty.
• Jefferson was embarrassed by the deal as he favored strict interpretation of the Constitution
• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (1804-1806) explored the West, documented new wildlife, and increased westward expansion

America on the World Stage

• The War of 1812, "Second War for Independence," saw the British forcibly enlist American sailors.
• Major battles included the burning of the White House and Capitol in 1814, and the victory at New Orleans in 1815.
• The conflict resulted in a stalemate
• The Monroe Doctrine (1823) warned European powers to not colonize lands in the Western Hemisphere
• The U.S. sought hemispheric influence and control through military, political, and economic means.

Politics and Regional Interests

• Sectionalism, loyalty to regional interests, divided the newly expanded nation
• New England prioritized industrial policies, while Southern politicians focused on agricultural policies and slavery.
• Western politicians focused on farming and westward expansion.
• Native American tribes were affected by these policies/ movements.
• Henry Clay's American System, supported by the Whig Party, aimed at high tariffs, a national bank, and infrastructure projects.

Expansion Under Monroe

• The U.S. desired expansion in the South and gained Florida
• Secretary of State John Quincy Adams negotiated with Spain and resolved boundary disputes
• A treaty called the Adams-Onís treaty (1819) ceded Florida and Spanish claims to the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. in return for relinquishing claims to Texas.

1820: The Missouri Compromise

• Debate over the expansion of slavery into western territories led to the Missouri Compromise
• Missouri applied for statehood in 1819 sparking fears over the balance of power in Congress concerning slavery
• Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, Maine as a free state, and slavery was prohibited above latitude 36°30′ in future states

What was the "Era of Good Feelings"?

• The Era of Good Feelings (1817-1825) characterized a period of one-party dominance by the Democratic-Republicans in Congress
• The Federalists lost significant political power and influence, which led to this one party dominance
• This singular party dominance ended abruptly following the 1824 presidential election, the Democratic-Republicans began splitting into factions

Market Revolution: Industrialization

• Industrialization transformed the nation in the early 19th century
• Eli Whitney's cotton gin increased cotton production and enslaved African populations in the South
• Francis Cabot Lowell's Power Loom mechanized textile production, leading to the employment of young women in factories and the beginning of labor organizing.

Market Revolution: Society/Culture

• Growth in technology impacted agriculture and commerce resulting in westward expansion and the rise of a middle class.
• Immigration (especially Irish and German) fueled Northern industrial growth
• Women's contributions grew in the expanding workforce, while family roles and expectations began to change.

Expanding Democracy

• The nation's transition to a more participatory democracy began during Jackson's presidency.
• States broadened suffrage rights to all white men.
• The 1824 presidential election saw no candidate achieve a majority of electoral votes, leading to a contested House decision and the "Corrupt Bargain."
• Jackson's victory in 1828 marked a shift in the balance of political power.

Jackson and Federal Power

• Jackson used presidential power to reward supporters, settle disputes, and deal with Native Americans and the Bank of the U.S.
• The Spoils System: appointed loyalists to government positions.
• The Nullification Crisis of 1832: South Carolina's attempt to nullify federal tariffs.
• Jackson's handling of the Southern states' attempt to nullify the tariffs threatened military action.
• This period saw the beginning of the 1830 Indian Removal act, which removed Cherokee and other tribes from eastern lands to Indian territory in Oklahoma, and the resulting "Trail of Tears".

After Jackson's Presidency

• Martin Van Buren took over the presidency during a period of financial crisis, which resulted in unemployment, bank closures, and economic hardship.
• The Panic of 1837 marked the failure of state banks' lending practices, the economic hardship led to the election of a new president.

Development of an American Culture

• Artists of the Hudson River School captured the nation's landscapes
• Writers like Herman Melville and Edgar Allen Poe contributed to the rise of American literature.

The Second Great Awakening

• The Second Great Awakening, a religious revival, swept across the nation, causing social reforms and changes.
• The Second Great Awakening led to the development of new religious movements, like the Mormons.

An Age of Reform

• Social and moral reform movements emerged as a response to the rapid social and economic changes of the time.
• This included anti-slavery (abolition) movements as well as efforts to control alcohol consumption and improve women's rights
• The Temperance movement and women's suffrage movements began during this time period.

African Americans in the Early Republic

• Enslaved African Americans developed unique cultures with kinship networks, music, and religious practices.
• Nat Turner's Rebellion highlighted the resistance and violence that accompanied slavery in the early 19th century.

Southern Society in the Early Republic

• Despite a majority of Southerners not owning slaves, slavery remained central to Southern society and economy.
• Southern agriculture was strongly reliant on cotton, leading to increased demand for the enslaved African workforce who were needed for cotton cultivation.
• Southern economic interests were dominated by the wealthy slaveholders who influenced the political and social lives in the South.

Test your knowledge on key beliefs of the Federalist Party and significant Supreme Court cases such as McCulloch v. Maryland. Explore the contrasting visions of Thomas Jefferson and the Federalists, and examine societal changes after Andrew Jackson's presidency. This quiz covers essential themes and events from early 19th century American history.