Contents

10.1- Building a National Identity

10.2- Dealing With Other Nations

10.3- The Age of Jackson

10.4- Indian Removal

10.5- States' Rights and the Economy

10.1 CHAPTER 1- BUILDING A NATIONAL IDENTITY

THE ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS

The presidential election of 1816 resulted in a landslide victory for republican candidate James Monroe of Virginia. He defeated Rufus King. It was 183 to 34! Pres. Monroe wanted to promote national unity. In 1817, he made a goodwill circuit of the middle and northern sections of the country. The old arguments of the War of 1812 had faded. A local newspaper described the new sense of unity was called "The Era of Good Feelings", The name stuck and desibed Monroe's two term office. We he re-ran for election, no one opposed him.

BUILDING THE NATIONAL ECONOMY

After 1815, many people thought the federal government should take action to increase economic prosperity in all regions of the country. Support for federal measures to promote economic prosperity came from many regions. Outstanding among those who favor federal action were Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun and Daniel Webster.

-Clay spoke for people in the west

-Calhoun spoke for the interests of the South.

-Webster became a spokesperson for the Northeast.

THE SECOND BANK OF THE UNITED STATES

Congress passes a law in 1791 creating the FIRST Bank of the U.S. In 1811, the bank ceased to exist. Its charter had expired. Without the bank, the economy suffered. To cure the problems, Congress made the SECOND Bank of the U.S. in 1816. This helped the economy tremendously.

CLAY'S AMERICAN SYSTEM

Clay came up w/ a plan that he believed would help the economy of each section of the country. His plans proposed high tariffs and a federal program of public work. Clay believed that high tariffs helped all regions of the country, not just the North. The tariff would provide revenue for the federal government. The government could then use the money to build up the infrastructure. Clay’s American System never fully became government policy

THE TARIFF OF 1816

Another problem after the War of 1812 was Foreign Competition. Most British goods had been kept out of the U.S. by the Embargo Act. This helped American industry grow rapidly. After the War of 1812, the British looked to sell their goods in the U.S. The British wanted to dump their goods in America. Dumping caused dozens of New England businesses to fail. They demanded tariffs to raise the price of foreign goods. Congress responded w/ The Tariff of 1816, which put a tax on foreign goods. Calhoun, however, did not like the tariffs, He said it made Northern manufacturers rich at the expense of the South.

THREE IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT RULINGS

Led by Chief Justice John Marshall, a Federalist sympathizer, the Court issued a series of important rulings between 1819 and 1824. In McCulloch vs. Maryland, the Court protected the second Bank of the United States. The case increased out of an attempt by the state of Maryland to put a tax on the branch of the Bank operating in that state. The Bank REFUSED to pay the tax. The Court’s decision, written by Marshall, strengthened the power of the federal government. It ruled that states had no power to intermean with federal institutions. According to Marshall, a state cannot pass any law that violates a federal law. Two other decisions helped shape American life. In Dartmouth College vs. Woodward, the Court ruled that the charter of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire was a private contract.  In protecting private contracts, the Court was protecting private businesses. In doing that, it helped promote capitalism. In Gibbons vs. Ogden, the Court again supported federal power. Again, the Court had strengthened the federal government at the expense of the states.

10.2

CHAPTER 2- DEALING WITH OTHER NATIONS

RELATIONS WITH SPAIN

At the time of the War of 1812, the United States and Haiti were the only parts of the Americas not under European control.  Spain controlled more territory in the Americas than any other European country. But power always falls. Spain's controls was weak in Florida. Spain could not stop enslaved African Americans who escaped from plantations in Georgia and Alabama from crossing into Florida. He went far beyond his orders. He seized two Spanish towns and forced the governor to flee Florida.  Since Spain could not protect Florida, it decided to give up the territory. In the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819, Spain gave Florida to the U.S.

SPANISH COLONIES WIN INDEPENDENCE

In 1810, opposition to Spanish rule ran strong in Spain’s American colonies. The American and French revolutions had inspired Latin Americans to want to control their own affairs. Spain was unable to control the pressure for change in Latin America.

MEXICO BREAKS AWAY

Mexico's struggle for independence started in 1810. Miguel Hidalgo organized an army of Native Americans that set free several Mexican provinces. In 1811, Hidalgo was caught and killed by troops loyal to Spain. Another revolution happened in Mexico in 1820. Fighting could not be stopped but in 1821, Spain finally agreed to Mexico’s independence. First, Mexico had an emperor, but in 1813 the monarchy was overthrown. A new const. made Mexico a federal republic.

INDEPENDENCE FOR SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA

South America was affected by revolutionary change too. Simon Bolívar was the best known leader of the struggle for independence. a. In August 1819, he led an army on a daring march from Venezuela over the Andes Mountains and into Colombia. He won the battle and became president of the Independent Republic of Great Colombia!  In 1821, the people of Central America declared their independence from Spain. In 1822, Brazil announced its independence from Portugal. Later, the U.S. recognized the independence of Mexico. By 1825, most parts of Latin America had thrown off European rule.

THE MONROE DOCTRINE

People were willing to help Spain regain its colonies. This worried President James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and the British. In 1823, Britain suggested that the two countries issue a joint statement. Adams told Monroe he thought the United States should do things by themselves. He believed a joint statement would make the United States look like Britain’s baby brother. Monroe agreed. In a message to Congress in December 1823, the President said what is known as the Monroe Doctrine. The United States wouldn't let European nations to create American colonies or inter-mean with the free nations of Latin America. 

RELATIONS WITH CANADA

In 1791, Canada was divided into two parts. Upper Canada was mainly English, and Lower Canada was mainly French. In 1837, people rebelled against British rule in both parts of Canada. The British couldn't deny rights to Canadians. Britain had to give Canadians more powers of self-government. The Act of Union of 1841 was a major step in that direction. It combined Canada’s two parts into a single country governed by a Canadian legislature but mainly control was still in Britains hands. Tensions were particularly high when the United States unsuccessfully tried to invade Canada during the War of 1812. Between 1818 and 1846, the United States and Britain settled several disputes with Canada. Eventually, the United States and Canada made excellent relations.

10.3

CHAPTER 3- THE AGE OF JACKSON

ADAMS AND JACKSON IN CONFLICT

Andrew Jackson served two terms as President, from 1829 to 1837. He had such a strong influence that the twenty-year period after he became President is often called the Age of Jackson! Jackson was wealthy when he became president but things were not always good. He was born in a log cabin, and he was an orphan by the age of 14. Jackson was tough, strong, persistent, and brave. As a general and later as President, Andrew Jackson was deeply loved by millions of Americans. They loved him for his humble beginnings and and his firm leadership.

THE ELECTION OF 1824

Jackson first ran for President in 1824. His opponents were John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and William H. Crawford. The choice was between Jackson and Adams, the two who had received the most votes. As Speaker of the House, Clay had a big influence. He told his followers to vote for Adams, which caused an uproar within Jackson.  When Adams won and became president, he appointed Clay secretary of state. Jackson’s supporters claimed the two men had made a “corrupt bargain.”

THE PRESIDENCY OF JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

Adams accomplished little, even though he had ambitious plans for the nation. Adams proposed a national program to build roads and canals and a high tariff to protect industry, but he was unable to push his programs through Congress. Adams never won the trust of the American people. As a result, he served only one term.

A NEW ERA IN POLITICS

The election of 1824 disappointed Andrew Jackson and his followers. In the 1790s, states had begun extending suffrage. Many states dropped the rule that men had to own property to be able to vote. States were also changing how they chose presidential electors. Earlier, state legislatures chose them. That right went to the voters. In 1824, voters chose the presidential electors in 18 out of 24 states. Women could not participate in government. Neither could African Americans. Male or female.

DEMOCRACY IN THE AGE OF JACKSON

Supporters of Andrew Jackson believed that ordinary people should vote in elections, hold public office, and do anything else they had the ability to do. Jackson and his supporters did not trust the government. They thought it favored the rich. Jackson's followers were also suspicious of banks, which was believed to favor the rich.

NEW POLITICAL PARTIES

During the 1824 election, the Republican Party split. Supporters of Adams called themselves National Republicans. Jackson’s supporters used the name Democrats. In 1831, the National Republicans nominated Henry Clay to run against Jackson. Jackson won easily. But, by 1836, the anti-Jackson forces had formed a new party, the Whigs. From then until 1852, the Democrats and the Whigs were the country’s two major political parties.  Previously, a party’s members of Congress held a caucus but then political parties started holding national nominating conventions.

JACKSON BECOMES PRESIDENT

 Jackson did best in the West and the South, where planters and small farmers supported him. He also did good with small business people and workers in cities and towns nationwide.

JACKSON'S INAUGURATION

His inauguration in March 1829 showed what they meant. Thousands of ordinary working people jammed into Washington for the event. Twenty thousand people crowded in and around the White House for a reception in Jackson’s honor. It was a riot. Things got crazy. A Jackson supporter saw things more positively: “It was the People’s day, and the People’s President, and the People would rule.”

THE SPOILS OF VICTORY

Jackson began his term by replacing some government officials with his supporters. During his two terms Jackson replaced only about 20 percent of federal officeholders. He said putting new people into government jobs furthered democracy

10.4

CHAPTER 4- INDIAN REMOVAL

NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE SOUTHEAST