US History (College) PDF

1. President George Washington First President of the U.S. (1789–1797). Set many precedents, including the two-term limit. Known for leadership in the American Revolution and presiding over the Constitutional Convention. 2. Washington’s Farewell Address Final address by...

1. President George Washington First President of the U.S. (1789–1797). Set many precedents, including the two-term limit. Known for leadership in the American Revolution and presiding over the Constitutional Convention. 2. Washington’s Farewell Address Final address by Washington in 1796. Warned against political parties, foreign alliances, and sectional divisions. Advocated for neutrality and unity. 3. XYZ Affair & the Quasi-War Diplomatic conflict in 1797–98 between the U.S. and France. French agents (referred to as X, Y, and Z) demanded bribes to negotiate, leading to a naval conflict, the "Quasi-War," without a formal declaration of war. 4. Alien & Sedition Acts Laws passed in 1798 under John Adams that restricted immigrants’ rights and limited speech critical of the government, sparking significant opposition as a violation of free speech. 5. Election of 1800 Notable election where Thomas Jefferson defeated John Adams. Marked the first peaceful transfer of power between political parties in U.S. history. 6. Marbury v. Madison Landmark 1803 Supreme Court case establishing judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional, strengthening the judicial branch. 7. Louisiana Purchase 1803 purchase from France, doubling the size of the U.S. This acquisition gave the U.S. control of the Mississippi River and opened western expansion. 8. James Madison Fourth President (1809–1817) and "Father of the Constitution." Led the U.S. during the War of 1812 and played a crucial role in drafting the Constitution and Bill of Rights. 9. War of 1812 Conflict between the U.S. and Britain over issues like trade restrictions and impressment of sailors. The war ended in a draw but increased American nationalism. 10. James Monroe & The Era of Good Feelings Fifth President (1817–1825). His term marked a period of national unity, the "Era of Good Feelings," with only one major political party, but underlying sectional tensions persisted. 11. The "Revolutions" Refers to the Industrial Revolution, Market Revolution, and Transportation Revolution in the 19th century, which transformed American economy, society, and infrastructure. 12. The Market Revolution Economic transformation in early 19th-century America, characterized by new technologies, transportation, and increased production, changing labor, and trade practices. 13. Immigration in the Early 19th Century Large waves of immigrants, particularly from Ireland and Germany, came to the U.S., many fleeing poverty, famine, or political strife, influencing American labor and culture. 14. 19th Century Social Reforms and Reformers Movements aimed at improving society, including abolition, temperance, women's rights, and education reform, led by reformers like Frederick Douglass, Dorothea Dix, and Horace Mann. 15. Abolition The movement to end slavery in the U.S., gaining momentum in the early 1800s with leaders like William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Tubman. 16. Women’s Suffrage The fight for women's right to vote, gaining traction in the 19th century with leaders like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention. 17. Andrew Jackson & Jacksonian Democracy  Seventh President (1829–1837), Jackson promoted the idea of the "common man" and expanded democratic participation but also supported controversial policies like the Indian Removal Act. 18. The Indian Removal Act & Trail of Tears 1830 law mandating the relocation of Native American tribes from southeastern U.S. to lands west of the Mississippi. The forced migration, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in thousands of deaths. 19. Sectionalism Loyalty to one's region (North, South, or West) over the nation, exacerbated by issues like slavery, tariffs, and economic differences, ultimately leading to Civil War. 20. Manifest Destiny 19th-century belief that Americans were destined to expand westward across the continent. This ideology justified the displacement of Native Americans and wars like the Mexican-American War. 21. The Alamo, Goliad, & San Jacinto Key battles in the Texas Revolution (1835-1836) against Mexico. The Alamo and Goliad were defeats for Texans, but San Jacinto was a decisive victory that led to Texas independence. 22. The Republic of Texas Independent Texas nation (1836–1845) following its separation from Mexico. Texas became a U.S. state in 1845, a key factor in the Mexican-American War. 23. James K. Polk 11th President (1845–1849), a strong proponent of Manifest Destiny who led the U.S. into the Mexican-American War and achieved the Oregon Territory's acquisition. 24. Texas Annexation 1845 incorporation of Texas into the United States, adding a slave state to the union and escalating tensions with Mexico, leading to the Mexican-American War. 25. Mexican-American War  1846–1848 war between the U.S. and Mexico following the Texas Annexation. Resulted in U.S. victory and significant territorial gains in the Southwest. 26. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 treaty ending the Mexican-American War, granting the U.S. vast southwestern territories (Mexican Cession) in exchange for $15 million. 27. The Mexican Cession Territory ceded by Mexico to the U.S. in 1848, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. 28. The California Gold Rush Massive influx of settlers to California after gold was discovered in 1848, leading to rapid population growth, statehood, and economic expansion. 29. The Westward Trails Key migration routes westward, including the Oregon, Santa Fe, and Mormon Trails, used by pioneers seeking land, fortune, or religious freedom. 30. The Compromise of 1850 A set of laws aimed at easing tensions between free and slave states. It admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed popular sovereignty in certain territories.