War of 1812 Study Guide PDF

War of 1812, Era of Good Feelings, Andrew Jackson Study Guide War of 1812 War Hawks - who were they and why did they want to go to war? The War Hawks were a group of young, aggressive members of Congress, primarily from the South and West, who emerged in the early 19th century. They were most prom...

War of 1812, Era of Good Feelings, Andrew Jackson Study Guide War of 1812 War Hawks - who were they and why did they want to go to war? The War Hawks were a group of young, aggressive members of Congress, primarily from the South and West, who emerged in the early 19th century. They were most prominent in the period leading up to the War of 1812. Key figures included Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Treaty of Ghent This treaty ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. It restored pre-war boundaries, ended fighting, and ignored issues like British impressment and trade restrictions, as they were no longer relevant. Though Native American concerns were mentioned, they were largely disregarded. The treaty marked a stalemate but fostered improved U.S.-British relations and boosted American national pride. Battle of New Orleans The Battle of New Orleans (January 8, 1815) was a major U.S. victory in the War of 1812, led by Andrew Jackson against the British. Despite the Treaty of Ghent already being signed, the battle boosted American morale, made Jackson a national hero, and symbolized U.S. resilience, even though it had no effect on the war's outcome. The Battle of New Orleans had three main effects: 1. Increased National Pride: The victory boosted American morale and fostered a sense of unity and national identity. 2. Andrew Jackson’s Rise to Prominence: His leadership and success made him a national hero, paving the way for his presidency. 3. Symbol of Resilience: The battle showcased U.S. military strength and determination, enhancing its reputation on the global stage despite the war ending in a stalemate. The Era of Good Feelings Purpose of Canals and the National Road The canals and National Road improved transportation, boosted trade, and supported westward expansion. Canals, like the Erie Canal, reduced shipping costs and connected markets, while the National Road linked eastern states to western territories, promoting migration and economic growth. These developments unified the nation and spurred 19th-century economic development. American System The American System, proposed by Henry Clay, aimed to strengthen the U.S. economy through protective tariffs, a national bank, and federally funded infrastructure improvements. Its goals were to promote self-sufficiency, connect regions, and support westward expansion, but it also increased sectional tensions over federal policies. Why is this time period called the Era of Good Feelings? The Era of Good Feelings was a time long ago, after a big war, when people in the United States felt proud and happy about their country. Everyone worked together more because there wasn’t much fighting between political groups. They built new roads and canals to help people travel and trade. But even though it seemed peaceful, there were still some disagreements about things like slavery and money that would cause problems later. Andrew Jackson’s Presidency Rush-Bagot Treaty The Rush-Bagot Treaty was an agreement between the United States and Britain in 1817. It said that both countries would limit the number of warships they had on the Great Lakes, which are big lakes between the U.S. and Canada. This helped keep the lakes peaceful and stopped both sides from building up a lot of military power there. It was a way for both countries to get along better and avoid fighting. Adams-Onis Treaty The Adams-Onís Treaty was an agreement between the United States and Spain in 1819. It said that Spain would give Florida to the United States, and in exchange, the U.S. promised not to take control of parts of land that Spain still owned. This treaty helped keep peace between the two countries and made the United States a little bigger by adding Florida. Monroe Doctrine The Monroe Doctrine was a message from U.S. President James Monroe in 1823. He told European countries that they shouldn’t try to take control of any countries in the Americas (North and South America). In return, the U.S. promised not to interfere in Europe's problems. It was like saying, "You stay out of our side of the world, and we’ll stay out of yours." This helped keep the Americas safe from European control. Missouri Compromise The Missouri Compromise was a plan made in 1820 to keep the United States peaceful. When Missouri wanted to join the country, there was a big argument about whether it should be a free state (no slavery) or a slave state. The compromise said Missouri would be a slave state, but to balance things out, Maine would become a free state. They also made a rule that any new states in the future, above a certain line, would be free, and those below it could have slavery. It helped stop fighting for a while, but the issue of slavery wasn't completely solved. Election of 1824 The Election of 1824 had four candidates, but Andrew Jackson won the most votes. Since no one got enough votes to win, the House of Representatives chose John Quincy Adams to be President, even though Jackson had more support. Some people thought this decision was unfair and called it a "corrupt bargain," but Adams became the 6th President. Spoils System The Spoils System was a way that President Andrew Jackson gave jobs to his friends and supporters after he became President in 1829. The idea was that if someone helped him win the election, they might get a job in the government, like being a judge or working in a post office. While some people liked this because it gave regular citizens a chance to help run the government, others thought it was unfair because it meant people might get jobs even if they weren’t the best for them. Tariff of Abominations The Tariff of Abominations was a tax on imported goods (things brought from other countries) passed in 1828. It made goods like clothes and other items from Europe much more expensive for people in the United States. Many people in the South didn’t like it because it meant they had to pay more for things they needed, and they felt it unfairly hurt their economy. They even called it the "Tariff of Abominations" because they thought it was terrible. It caused a lot of anger, especially in the Southern states. Pet Banks Pet Banks were state banks where President Andrew Jackson put the U.S. government's money instead of the national bank. People called them "pet banks" because they were Jackson's favorite, but this caused problems with the country’s money later on.