Unit 1 Terms
Maize: Corn grown by the Iroquois and other Native Americans. This crop was part of
the Three Sister farming system, also planted with beans and squash.
Pueblo Indians: A tribe of Native American people who resided in the Southwestern
United States. They encountered the Spanish in the 16 th century and were
named after the Spanish word “pueblo” which means “village.”
Iroquois Confederation: The Iroquois Confederation developed the political and
organizational skills to sustain a robust military alliance that menaced its
neighbors, Native American and European alike, for well over a century. Closest
thing to Aztec/Incan Empires in N America.
Mestizo: A part of the Spanish caste system, this term referred to someone who was
born of one Native American parent and one European parent
Zambo: A part of the Spanish caste system, this term referred to someone who was
born of one Native American parent and one African parent
Columbian Exchange: The exchange that occurred between the new world and the old,
including diseases such as small Pox and other goods such as horses, cows,
sugar, silver, etc. between Europe and America starting with Christopher
Columbus.
Portuguese Slave Trade: Also known as the Atlantic Slave Trade, the Portuguese were
the first to begin shipping slaves to the Americas in the 16 th century to sell them
into labor
Encomienda System: Spanish could enslave Native Americans if they Christianized
them. Essentially a form of slavery.
Columbus: Italian who sailed with 3 small ships from Spain; October 12, 1492 sighted
Bahamas (San Salvador) and thought he had found the “Indies” → Native
Americans known as Indians. Returned to Hispanola with 17 ships. Sought gold
and slaves.
Bartolome de Las Casas: Spanish missionary that opposed the encomienda system and
denounced Spanish actions toward Native Americans in the new world.
Spanish Mission System: The Spanish set up various missions in order to spread
Christianity to the “heathen” Native Americans, including 21 in California. Father
Serra founded the first 9 of these. These were not popular among the Natives
who were reluctant to abandon their culture.
Cheyenne Indians: This group of Native Americans lived in the Great Plains and had
primarily a horse culture. The Cheyenne people were often allied with the
Arapaho
Arapaho Indians: This group of Native Americans lived in the plains of Colorado and
Wyoming and was closely allied with the Cheyenne people.
Comanche Indians: These Native Americans were considered Plains Indians and were
primarily a horse culture.
Atlantic Economy: The Atlantic Economy was heavily tied to Triangular Trade (see that
definition.) Included Europe, Africa and eastern North America.
Pope's Rebellion: 1680, New Mexico. Pueblo rebels destroyed every Catholic church in
the province and killed a score of priests and hundreds of settlers against efforts
to suppress native religious customs. Drove out the Spanish and kept them out
for 50 years!
Treaty of Tordesillas: 1494, The Pope divided New World between Catholic countries
Portugal and Spain. Portugal received land to east of line, Spanish to west.
That’s why they speak Portuguese in Brazil!
Enrichment:
Juan de Onate : was a Spanish Conquistador in the early 1600s who became the
governor of what is now New Mexico after leading explorations into the lower
Great Plains. He cut off the feet of Acoma Pueblo Indians who resisted Spanish
occupation and enslaved the rest.
Pizarro: Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish Conquistador in the early 1500s who
conquered the Incan Empire
Incans: was the largest empire in pre-Columbian America and was located in what is
now Peru; they were in the height of their power in the 13th century; they mainly
worshiped their Sun God.
Cortes: was a Spanish conquistador in the early 16th century who was responsible for
conquering the Aztec Empire and most of Mexico.
Aztecs: was a powerful empire in Mexico that extended its power throughout Mexico
until it was taken over by Cortes.
Unit 2 Terms
Protestant Reformation: Christian reform movement that established Protestantism;
began in Europe in 1517. Led by German friar Martin Luther and John Calvin who
found fault with the Catholic Church.
Elizabeth I: Protestant Queen of England; ascended to English throne in 1558 before
Protestantism became dominant in England. Rival of Catholic Spain; secret
financial backer of Sir Francis Drake, privateer.
Virginia Company of London: joint-stock company that received a charter from King
James I for settlement in the New World; granted Englishmen the same rights
overseas as at home in England. Jamestown financed by VG of L. Sent De La
Warr to fight Indians in 1610.
Jamestown: First permanent English settlement in New World. Virginia. 1607.
Powhatans/Powhatan Confederacy: Chieftain Powhatan dominated alliance of native
tribes along the James River; large group of Powhatans interacted with
Jamestown settlers; strained atmosphere with De La Warr in 1610 → 2 AngloPowhatan Wars. Powhatans crushed.
Virginia House of Burgesses: 1619, two-house representative self-government born in
Virginia (the same year as slavery arrived, ironically.) Authorized by London
Company it was the first mini-parliament on American Soil. Distrusted by James
I, which led to his removal of the Virginia Company's charter.
The Chesapeake: Consisted of Virginia and Maryland; unhealthy; full of Malaria,
Dysentery, and Typhoid. 10 yrs less in life expectancy. Early immigrants were
mostly single men with scarce number of women; few families; partner usually
died within 7 yrs of marriage. Tobacco= main crop; lots of indentured servants
and later African slaves.
Headright system: gave 50 acres of land to masters who paid the transatlantic passage
of a laborer (indentures servant); in Virginia and Maryland. Most beneficial to
the master. Contributed to growth of huge plantations.
Bacon’s Rebellion: 1676, ~1,000 Virginians broke out over Governor William Berkeley's
failure to retaliate for a series of Indian attacks on frontier settlements. Led by
Nathaniel Bacon, a 29 year old planter. Murdered Indians, chased Berkeley from
Jamestown, set fire to the capital. Berkeley hung 20+ rebels. Significance:
Plantation owners turn more toward slaves after this.
Indentured servants: displaced farmers looking for employment in the new world
mortgaged their labor to Chesapeake masters/plantation owners in exchange for
transatlantic passage and eventual “freedom dues”
African Chattels: the slaves brought over to America were referred to as “chattel”
because they were treated as commodities instead of people
Triangular Trade: 3 port trade between Africa, the West Indies, and New England;
included the bartering of slaves, molasses, and rum.
Massachusetts Bay Colony: was an English settlement run by John Winthrop (see his
definition for more information)
Puritans: advocates of purification of Church of England; many from economically and
commercially depressed woolen districts of England.
Mayflower: ship with Puritan Separatists going from Holland to the New World; at sea
for 65 days; missed its destination; arrived in New England in 1620 with 102
people.
Mayflower Compact: proto-constitution drawn up and signed by Pilgrim leaders before
landing because they weren't landing within the domain of the Virginia
Company. Agreement to submit to majority.
Plymouth Bay: Massachusetts site chosen by Separatist Pilgrims; outside the domain of
the Virginia Company.
King Philip’s War: 1675, “King Phillip” (Massasoit's Son, Metacom) formed an alliance
with other tribes and assaulted English Villages throughout New England; ended
in 1676: 52 Puritan towns attacked and 12 destroyed. New England Indians
annihilated.
Beaver Wars: fought in the mid-17th century between the Iroquois and French-backed
Mohawk Indians in order for the Iroquois to expand trade with the Dutch and
English; was extremely bloody and the Iroquois were successful.
Chickasaw Wars: fought in the mid-18th century between the English-backed Chickasaw
Indians and the French–backed Choctaw Indians; the French were trying to
control the Mississippi River but the Chickasaw were successful in stopping
them; this was formally ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
Dominion of New England, 1686: created by Royal authority; included all of New
England; expanded 2 yrs later to include NY and E and W Jersey. Worked to
bolster colonial defense in case of war with the Indians; dealt with trade. Led by
appointed governor Sir Edmund Andros. HQ in Puritan Boston. Resented by
colonists. Ended with Glorious Revolution of 1688.
Navigation Laws: sought to stitch England's overseas possessions more tightly to the
motherland by throttling American trade with countries not ruled by the British
Crown.
Wool Act: 1699, the British Parliament restricted the American export of wool products
to only British markets.
Molasses Act: 1733, the British Parliament imposed a six pence tax per gallon of
molasses that was important from a non-British source; this was to ensure that
British sources of molasses were cheaper than French molasses.
Salutary neglect: new monarchs William and Mary, after England's Glorious Revolution,
relaxed the royal grip on colonial trade. Ex.: the much-resented Navigation Laws
were only weakly enforced.
Lord Baltimore: founded Maryland in 1634 for financial profit and as a Catholic refuge.
Maryland Act of Toleration: 1649, guaranteed toleration to all Christians but the death
penalty to Jews and Atheists. Intended to protect future Catholic minority
against future Protestant majorities.
William Penn: attracted to the Quaker faith at 16 though his father disapproved; led to
persecution. In 1681, received a grant of fertile land from the King to repay a
debt owed to his father by the Crown → Pennsylvania (“Penn's Woodland”); best
advertised colony.
Quakers: Christian sect considered dissenters. "Quaked” when under deep religious
emotion. “Religious Society of Friends;” offensive to both religious and civil
authorities; refused to support the established Church of England with taxes;
wouldn't take oaths; held deep convictions. Often persecuted.
Pennsylvania: one of the middle colonies ; had fertile soil and broad land expanse. NY,
NJ, PA= “bread colonies” due to their heavy exports of grain. Rivers; fur trade;
ethnically mixed; religious tolerance.
Great Awakening: Religious revival 1730s and 1740s, ignited in Northampton,
Massachusetts by Jonathan Edward. Introduced a new style of preaching;
included George Whitefield who spoke of human helplessness and divine
omnipotence. “New Light” churches stressed emotionalism over reason. Taught
salvation was open to all.
John Locke: a philosopher who was credited with many ideas that the Founding Fathers
used in the Declaration of Independence; some of these were equality and
unalienable rights, role of gov’t., duty of the people, etc.
Republicanism: it was republican values that helped inspire the leaders of the American
Revolution; this is the idea that government is headed by someone who is
elected by the people instead of by divine right; it is rule by people
Staple Crops: certain crops such as rice, sugar, and tobacco were a major part of the
American economy along with other items such as fur; this follows with
mercantilism in which these goods would be exported from America.
For enrichment:
Anne Hutchinson/antinomianism: challenged Puritan orthodoxy; mother of 14 children;
banished after trial in Massachusetts Bay Colony for high heresy; she and all but
one of her family members were killed in NY. Antinomianism was the assertion
of Anne that leading a holy life was no sure sign of salvation and that the truly
saved need not bother to obey the law of either God or of man.
John Winthrop: Massachusetts Bay Colony's first governor; successful attorney and
manor lord in England. Believed that he had a calling from God to lead a new
religious experiment. “We shall be as a City upon a Hill.”
Salem Witchcraft Trials: Salem, Massachusetts; a group of adolescent girls accused
older women of “bewitching” them. 1692, 20 individuals killed (19 hanged) and 2
dogs hanged. Ended in 1693 when the governor's wife was accused.
Roger Williams: Separatist who wanted a clean break with the corrupt Church of
England. Was a popular Salem minister until considered a threat to Puritanism
with “radical, unrestrained ideas.” Felt that the Indians deserved fair
compensation. Fled to Rhode Island in 1636. In 1639 founded the first Baptist
Church in RI which had complete religious freedom and no oaths, taxes for the
church, or compulsory attendance.
Half-Way Covenant: 1662, admitted to baptism (not full communion) unconverted
children of existing members of the church. Weakened the distinction between
the “elect” and the others; gradually erased the distinction entirely.
Lord de la Warr: Spring of 1610 arrived in Virginia and took harsh action against
Powhatan Indians by orders of Virginia Company. Used “Irish tactics” to defeat
them.
James Oglethorpe: one of Georgia's founders, philanthropist and soldier-statesman.
He repelled Spanish attacks. Interested in prison reform.
Georgia: “buffer state” founded in 1733 as the last of 13 colonies planted; intended to
act as a buffer colony to protect the valuable Carolinas from the Spanish in
Florida and from the French in Louisiana. Debtors’ haven.
New England Town Meetings: (New England Federation) 1643, formed by four colonies
banding together (Bay Colony, Plymouth, New Haven, and scattered valley
settlements) to defend against foes or potential enemies including the Indians,
French, and Dutch; dealt with inter-colonial problems; given 2 votes per colony;
exclusive Puritan club. Significance?
AP US History
Unit 3 Terms
Seven Years' War (French and Indian War)- between Britain, France, and Spain over
the Ohio River Valley and Canada. Britain wins, France loses nearly all its North
American holdings in 1763. Treaty of Paris, 1763- ended the Seven Years' War; allowed
France to keep land in the West Indies; British got Canada and Ohio River Valley
Pontiac's Uprising (rebellion)- Ottawa Chief and Indians attack villages in the Ohio
Valley following French and Indian War.
Proclamation of 1763- British wouldn't allow settlement beyond Appalachian Mts
because of Indian problem evidenced by Pontiac’s Rebellion.
Mercantilism- wealth=power; the idea that a country's wealth could be measured in
gold or silver; it had to export more than it imported; the colonies were expected to
furnish England with tobacco, sugar, and ship masts, but to refrain from exporting
woolen cloth or beaver hats and buy manufactured goods exclusively from England.
Navigation Laws- 1650, were aimed at rival Dutch shippers; all commerce to and from
England could only be transported in British vessels; European goods destined for
America first had to land in Britain where they would take a profit slice; American
merchants had to ship “enumerated” products (ex. tobacco) exclusively to Britain.
Virtual Representation vs. Actual Representation- virtual representation is what the
colonists had in Parliament, no physical participation but members considered their
interests when voting. Actual representation was what they wanted, to have colonists
sit in Parliament.
Quartering Act, 1765- required certain colonies to provide food and quarters (housing)
for British troops. Originally intended to aid in collection of Townshend duties.
Sugar Act, 1765- the first law ever passed by Parliament to raise tax revenue in the
colonies for the Crown; increased the duty on foreign sugar imported from the West
Indies; the colonists' protests led to the substantial lowering of the duties.
Stamp Act- 1765, was imposed by PM Grenville to raise revenues to support the new
military force; mandated the use of stamped paper or the affixing of stamps to certify
payment of the tax; stamps were required on bills of sale for 50 trade items such as
certain commercial and legal documents, playing cards, pamphlets, newspapers,
diplomas, bills of landing, and marriage licenses.
Stamp Act Congress, 1765- brought together 27 delegates from 9 colonies to New York
City; drew up a statement of rights and grievances and beseeched both the King and
Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act; was ignored in England and made little splash in
America.
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Sons/Daughters of Liberty- groups of patriotic individuals who took the law into their
own hands; cried “Liberty, Property, and NO Stamps;” enforced the non-importation
agreements against violators, often with a generous coat of tar and feathers;
ransacked the houses of unpopular officials and confiscated their money; hanged
effigies of stamp agents on liberty poles. Leaders?
Sam Adams- was a master propagandist and engineer of rebellion; from Boston and the
2nd cousin of John Adams; organized local committees of correspondence in
Massachusetts; formally formed the 1st Committee of Correspondence in Boston in 1772
→ 80 towns in their colony speedily set up similar organizations; kept British opposition
alive → led to inter-colonial committees of correspondence.
Boston Massacre- evening of March 5, 1770, ~60 townspeople set upon a squad of ~10
redcoats; one was hit with a club and one was knocked down; troops opened fire and
killed or wounded 11 “innocent” citizens; Crispus Attucks was the first to die; later John
Adams was the defense attorney for the soldiers and only 2 redcoats were found guilty
of manslaughter; the soldiers were released after being branded on the hand, Inflames
anti-British sentiment.
John Adams- served as the defense attorney for soldiers at Boston Massacre; played a
large role in the Continental Congress; helped sway colleagues to a revolutionary
course.
Boston Tea Party- Dec. 16, 1733, a band of Bostonians disguised themselves as Indians,
boarded docked tea ships at the Boston Harbor, and smashed open 342 chests before
dumping their contents into the harbor; they were angry for having to buy tea with a tax
from England to save the British East India Company from bankruptcy.
Intolerable (Coercive) Acts- 1774, a series of acts passed by Parliament in response to
the Boston Tea Party to chastise Boston in particular, but also Massachusetts in
general; included the Boston Port Act which closed the harbor until damages were
paid for; swept away many chartered rights of Massachusetts; allowed officials who
killed colonists to be sent to Britain for trail.
Quebec Act- 1774, was passed at the same time as the Intolerable Acts; resolved to
administer 60,000 French subjects in Canada; guaranteed the French their Catholic
religion; allowed them to retain their old customs (which did not include representative
assembly or trial by jury in civil cases); extended the old boundaries of Quebec south, all
the way to the Ohio River. Seen as omen for the future by suspicious colonists.
Continental Congress, 1774- in response to the Intolerable Acts; met in Philadelphia to
consider ways of addressing colonial grievances; 12 of 13 colonies represented (not
Georgia); consisted of 65 distinguished men, including Samuel Adams, John Adams,
George Washington, and Patrick Henry; deliberated for 7 weeks; not a legislative, but a
consultative body; created The Association, which called for a complete trade boycott
with Britain.
Declaration of Rights- statement/list of grievances drawn up by the first Continental
Congress; a solemn appeal to British American colonies, the King, and the British people.
2nd Continental Congress- May 1775, Served as colonial government through much of
the war; hardly developed into more than a debating society and grew feebler as time
went on; adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776; passed the Articles
of Confederation, which were ratified in 1781.
Common Sense- published in 1776, was one of the most influential pamphlets ever;
written by the radical Thomas Paine; a bestseller that sold 120,000 copies within just a
few months; believed that using common sense, it was obvious that “little” Britain
shouldn't have control over “large” America. Made many adopt the revolutionary
cause.
Salutary Neglect- Britain didn't follow through with the enforcement of the Navigation
Laws; not enforcing rules. Policy begun in 1688 after the Glorious Revolution.
Loyalists/Patriots- Loyalists, aka “Tories,” were colonists loyal to the King; comprised
16% of Americans; were often Anglicans and educated or wealthy; least numerous in
New England; Patriots were American rebels; were prosperous in New England. Other
attributes?
Thomas Jefferson- drafted the Declaration of Independence, a Virginian lawyer; was
recognized as a brilliant writer; credited John Locke with many ideas in the Dec. of Ind.
Declaration of Independence- July 4, 1776, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, contains a
theory of gov’t ala John Locke (equality and unalienable rights, role of gov’t., duty of
the people, etc.) and a list of crimes committed by George III.
Treaty of Paris- 1783, a peace treaty in which the British formally recognized the
independence of the United States; added generous boundaries including Ohio Valley;
kept priceless fishery share in Newfoundland; restored Loyalist property.
George Washington- Magnificent leader, called the “Indispensible Man,” American
General; crossed the Delaware River on Christmas Day in 1776 before moving on to
Trenton on December 26; surprised and captured 1,000 Hessians. Lost some critical
battles but held the Army together.
Articles of Confederation- adopted in 1777, ratified in 1781; linked States to joint
action in dealing with common problems such as foreign affairs; made Congress the
chief agency of the government; included no executive branch; each state was given 1
vote; subjects of importance required the support of 9 states; unanimity was required
to amend; provided Congress no power to regulate commerce or collect taxes.
Land Ordinance 1785 - stated that the acreage of the Old Northwest would be sold to
pay off the national debt; townships were to be divided into 36 sq. mi with the 16th
section to benefit public schools.
Northwest Ordinance 1787 was related to the governing of the Old Northwest;
allowed first a territory which could become a state when it had 60,000 inhabitants;
forbade slavery in the Old Northwest.
Shays' Rebellion- 1786, in Western Massachusetts; impoverished backcountry farmers,
many Revolutionary War veterans, were losing their farms through mortgage
foreclosures and tax delinquencies; led by Captain Daniel Shays; the men demanded
cheap paper money, lighter taxes, and the suspension of property takeovers;
collapsed, but sent fear of anarchy through colonies and pointed to inadequacy of
Articles of Confed.
Alexander Hamilton- New Yorker who kept hope alive at the Annapolis Convention by
summoning a convention to meet in Philadelphia the next year to bolster the entire
fabric of the Articles of Confederation; a “demigod” and advocate of a powerful central
government; the 1st Secretary of the Treasury (under Washington); known for his
Financial Program, and leader of the Federalist Party.
Constitutional Convention
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James Madison, Father of the Constitution- a student of the government and
considered Father of the Constitution, wrote the Bill of Rights; from Virginia.
Later President.
Virginia Plan- “the large state plan;” stated that representation in both houses of
a bicameral congress should be based on population, which would naturally give
large states an advantage.
New Jersey Plan- “the small state plan;” called for equal representation of States
in a unicameral congress, regardless of size and population, as under the existing
Articles of Confederation.
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)- by Roger Sherman, larger states
were conceded representation by population in the House of Representatives
and smaller states were appeased by equal representation in the Senate; each
state would have 2 senators; every tax bill or revenue bill had to originate in the
House.
3/5ths Compromise- slaves were to count as 3/5ths of a person in determining
representation in the House of Representatives, where population mattered
and when determining how much taxes a State would be assessed.
Slave Trade Compromise- while most of the states wanted to shut off the
African slave trade, South Carolina and Georgia required labor in their rice
fields, etc.; the convention stipulated that the slave trade might continue until
the end of 1807, when Congress could (and did) shut it down; all new state
constitutions except for Georgia's, forbade overseas slave trade.
Federalists/Anti-Federalists- Federalists wanted a stronger federal government;
included leaders like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton; were typically
wealthier, more educated, and better organized. Anti-Federalists opposed a strong
federal government; included leaders like Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and
Patrick Henry; were usually of poorer class and one-horse farmers.
The Federalist- a series of articles anonymously written by Alexander Hamilton, John
Jay, and James Madison for New York newspapers; a biased commentary on the
Constitution to encourage ratification; sold in book form as The Federalist; the most
famous article was Madison's No. 10, which refuted conventional wisdom that it was
impossible to extend a republican form of government over a large territory.
George Washington- General, war hero, and 1st President; was unanimously drafted by
the Electoral College in 1789; left Mount Vernon for New York City (the temporary
capital); took the oath of office on April 30, 1789; established the Cabinet. Set the
precedent for future Presidents.
Cabinet (Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox)- established by President Washington; though not
specifically mentioned in the Constitution, it evolved in Washington's administration;
Secretary of the Treasury- Alexander Hamilton; Secretary of State- Thomas Jefferson;
Secretary of War- Henry Knox. How many members in the current cabinet? Be the first
to tell Mr. Gillard and win a prize.
Bill o' Rights- adopted as a group in 1791, written by James Madison; the first 10
amendments to the Constitution. You should know them!
Hamilton's Financial Program- wanted to bolster the national credit; 1790. Plan
included Assumption of all state and national debt; tariffs; an excise tax on a few
domestic items such as Whiskey; and a Bank of the United States.
Bank of the US- proposed by Hamilton; was reluctantly approved by Washington after
receiving much opposition from Jefferson; was modeled by the Bank of England;
proposed a powerful private institution with the government as the major
stockholder; said that federal treasury deposits and federal funds would stimulate
business; proposed to print urgently needed paper money; led to a debate over
Constitutional justification.
Whiskey Rebellion- 1794, in SW Pennsylvania; challenged the new national government;
people affected by Hamilton's excise tax on Whiskey were upset because they had used
it as a means of exchange; they boldly tarred and feathered revenue officers;
Washington led ~13,000 troops with the encouragement of Hamilton to crush the
rebellion. Showed the power of the new government, as opposed to the Shays’
Rebellion debacle under the Articles.
Republican Motherhood- elevated women to a new prestigious role as special keepers
of the national conscience; women were expected to teach their families the ideas
and duties of the Republic.
Neutrality Proclamation of 1793- issued by President Washington shortly after the
outbreak of war between Britain and France; proclaimed the American government's
official neutrality, ending alliance with France.
Jay's Treaty, 1794- the British promised (again) to evacuate their forts; consented to
pay for damages of recent seizures of American ships; did not mention anything
regarding the future seizures or supplying Indians with weapons; the US was to pay
debts still owed to British merchants on pre-Revolutionary accounts. Treaty regarded
as a failure!
Pickney's Treaty, 1795- with Spain; included free navigation of the Mississippi and
territory of North Florida. Regarded as a success!
Strict vs. Liberal construction of the Constitution- Jefferson: strict → the Constitution
forbids what it does not allow; Hamilton: liberal → the Constitution allows what it does
not forbid. National Bank was one issue.
Democratic-Republicans- Jeffersonians; relaxed and weak-voiced; mostly of middlelower class; believed in a weak central government; had a strict interpretation of the
Constitution; wanted to pay off national debt; favored agriculture and was supported
in the South; pro-French.
Federalists- Hamiltonians; typically wealthy; believed in a strong central government;
supported private enterprise; had a liberal interpretation of the Constitution; favored
industry over agriculture; pro-British.
Alien, Sedition Acts- 1798, laws by Federalists. Federalist congress raised the resident
requirements for aliens who wanted to become citizens, from 5 yrs to 14 yrs; the
President was empowered to deport dangerous foreigners in time of peace or to
imprison them in times of hostility; the “lockjaw” Sedition Act was a direct slap at
freedom of speech and press, saying that anyone who impeded the policies of the
government or defamed its officials, would be heavily fined or imprisoned. Aimed at
Democratic Republicans.
Virginia, Kentucky Resolves- Virginia (Madison), Kentucky (Jefferson); Jefferson was
afraid of Federalists taking away more rights, so he secretly wrote a series of
resolutions; both stressed the compact theory that individual states could judge if the
federal government had overstepped its originally granted authority and could
“nullify” laws they felt were unconstitutional
UNIT 4 TERMS:
INDUSTRY/NATIONAL CULTURE
John Deere- 1837, produced a steel plow that broke the virgin soil of the West: sharp,
effective, and light enough to be pulled by horses rather than oxen.
Sam Slater/Slater's Mill- 1791, Rhode Island. “Father of the Factory System.”
British mechanic who memorized the plans for a textile machine in England and
escaped to America. The first textile mill was on Blackstone River.
Eli Whitney- 1793, invented the Cotton Gin, 50x more efficient than the handpicking
process. Made the raising of cotton profitable. South produced cotton → used by
North. Reinvigorated the need for slaves again.
Cyrus McCormick- 1830s, contributed a horse-drawn mechanical mower-reaper.
Was the “cotton gin to the Western farmers.” Reduced the need of 5 men to 1 man;
plowmen scrambled to plant more fields of wheat.
Erie Canal- dug by New Yorkers led by Governor Dewitt Clinton, without federal
aid. Linked the Great Lakes with the Hudson River. “Clinton's Big Ditch” began in
1817, stretched 363 mi.; completed in 1825. Reduced the cost and time of shipping;
values of nearby land skyrocketed; new cities emerged.
Lowell, Massachusetts- “showplace factory” of The Boston Associates. Workers
were primarily New England farm girls supervised both on and off the job. Stayed in
company boardinghouses; and were escorted regularly to church. Forbidden to form
unions. Worked 6 days a week, 12-13 hrs per day, were given low wages and dealt
with grueling work conditions.
“Cult of Domesticity”- Described the role of women seen as fragile beings who should
do house work and other domestic activities. Women were guardians of hearth and
home. Domestic feminism described increasing power of women in the home. Smaller
families became a woman's choice.
Seneca Falls Convention/Declaration of Sentiments- 1848, Seneca Falls, NY.
Gathering of fighting feminists. Elizabeth Cady Stanton read a Declaration of
Sentiments, which in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence declared that “all
men and women are created equal.” One resolution formally demanded women's
suffrage. Launched the modern women's rights movement.
Second Great Awakening- larger than the 1st; almost 100 yrs later. Countless converted;
shattered and reorganized churches; numerous new sects; “camp meetings.”
Methodists and Baptists reaped the most. Stressed personal conversion.
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Charles Grandison Finney- the greatest preacher of the 2nd Great Awakening.
Trained as a lawyer, but became a minister. 1830 and 1831, led massive revivals
in NY. Denounced alcohol and slavery. President of Oberlin College.
Transcendentalist- movement in the 1830s, believed that truth “transcends” the senses
and that every person possesses an inner light that can put him or her in direct touch
with God, or the “Oversoul.” Individualistic, nature-based, intuitive. Ralph Waldo
Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman examples.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson- best known Transcendentalist, from Boston. Trained as a
Unitarian minister. Outspoken critic of slavery. Best known works?
Henry David Thoreau- Emerson's close associate; poet, mystic,
Transcendentalist, nonconformist. Condemned a government that supported
slavery, Refused to pay Massachusetts poll tax and was jailed for 1 night. His
writings inspired Gandhi and MLK Jr.
Walt Whitman- poet from Brooklyn. Wrote Leaves of Grass (1855), a collection
of poems celebrating individualism which handled sex with frankness. Collection
banned in Boston. Highly romantic, emotional, and unconventional.
MARSHALL COURT:
Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)- the college had been granted a charter by King
George III in 1769, but New Hampshire saw fit to change it. Marshall ruled that the
original charter must stand. Safeguarded business enterprise by sanctifying contracts.
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)- Maryland attempted to destroy a branch of the Bank of
the US by imposing a tax on its notes. John Marshall ruled against Maryland: “the
power to tax is the power to destroy” which strengthened federal authority.
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)- “Steamboat Case.” New York attempted to monopolize
waterborne commerce between NY and NJ; Marshall reminded the state that the
Constitution conferred on Congress alone the control of interstate commerce. A blow to
states' rights.
Marbury v Madison: The principle of judicial review—the ability of the courts to declare
laws unconstitutional—is established (1803).
JEFFERSON:
Louisiana Purchase- 1803, Jefferson sent James Monroe to buy New Orleans and as
much land to the east as they could, for a maximum of $10 million. If this failed,
they were to seek an alliance with Britain. Napoleon decided to sell all of Louisiana.
Treaties were signed on April 30, 1803: France ceded Louisiana to the US for $15
million which doubled the size of the US.
Embargo Act: Jefferson orders complete cessation of foreign trade in response to British
and French attacks on our shipping. Disaster! Replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act
1809- substitute for the Embargo Act; formally reopened trade with all nations of the
world except Britain and France.
Hartford Convention/Death of the Federalists- convention in Hartford, Connecticut
called for by Massachusetts when the capture of New Orleans seemed imminent;
demanded financial assistance from Washington to compensate for lost trade;
proposed constitutional amendments requiring a 2/3 vote in Congress before an
embargo could be imposed, new states could be admitted or war was declared; oneterm Presidency; no consecutive presidents from the same state. Disgraced with the
Treaty of Ghent.
MONROE:
Era of Good Feelings- one party (Democratic Republicans) presided over by James
Monroe. He was greeted warmly everywhere, even in New England.
Missouri Compromise 1820- Congress agreed to admit Missouri as a slave state,
Maine as a separate free state and prohibited slavery in the remainder of the
Louisiana Purchase north of 36°30'.
Monroe Doctrine 1823- James Monroe's warning to European powers in his annual
message to Congress on Dec. 2, 1823: called for non-colonization and
nonintervention by European powers in the Western Hemisphere. Legality?
Florida Purchase Treaty of 1819 (Transcontinental Treaty)- Spain ceded Florida and its
claim to Oregon in exchange for the US ceding its claim to Texas (soon to become part
of independent Mexico.)
Treaty of 1818- was negotiated by the Monroe administration with Britain: permitted
Americans to share the coveted Newfoundland fisheries with their Canadian cousin;
fixed the vague northern limits of Louisiana along the 49th parallel from the Lake of
the Woods (in Minnesota) to the Rocky Mts.; provided for a 10 yr joint occupation
of the Oregon Country without surrender from either side.
JACKSON
Cherokees of Georgia- considered one of the five “civilized” tribes. Made remarkable
efforts to learn White ways: were slaveholders; adopted the system of settled culture
and private property; the Indian Sequoyah devised a Cherokee alphabet. 1808, the
Cherokee National Council legislated a written code; 1827, adopted a written
constitution for executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.
Indian Removal Act of 1830- provided for the transplanting of all Indian tribes then
resident east of the Mississippi. Primarily affected the Five Civilized Tribes
(Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, Choctaw and Seminole.)
Trail of Tears- refers specifically to the removal of the Cherokee Indians, even after
their attempts to adapt to American culture and their successful Supreme Court case
against Georgia. US Army forcibly removed 15,000 Cherokee from Southeastern US
and marched them to Indian Territory (Oklahoma.) ~4,000 died on the 116-day
journey.
Tariff of 1828 and Nullification- “Black Tariff,” “Tariff of Abominations.” Very high
tariff to protect manufacturing. People of the South were heavy consumers of
manufactured goods, but did little manufacturing themselves, so they hated the tariff.
John Calhoun of South Carolina led the protesting and in1828 published The South
Carolina Exposition, which proposed that states nullify the tariff. Jackson threatened
them with force.
Whigs: New national party that forms various group who do not like “King
Andrew” Jackson in late 1820s. Nationalistic. Leaders were Henry Clay and Daniel
Webster. Much in common with Federalists: strong central government, national
bank, etc. Associated with Clay’s American System.

The American System- 1824, heightened nationalism. Planned program of
Henry Clay and the Whig Party. 3 parts to develop a profitable home market:
a strong central banking system to provide easy and abundant credit; a
protective tariff so that eastern manufacturing would flourish; a network of
roads and canals, especially in the Ohio Valley, to increase the flow of food
stuffs and raw materials.
Bank of the United States- The principal depository of government funds and controlled
much of its gold and silver. “Bank War” began when Henry Clay presented the early
renewal of its charter to Congress, expecting Jackson to veto it and lose the election.
Jackson deemed the Bank unconstitutional and the general public agreed with his veto.
Clay got burned!
Acquisition of Texas


Remember the Alamo- Santa Anna trapped 200 Texans at the Alamo in San
Antonio after Texas declared its independence in 1836 from Mexico. Led by
Colonel W. B. Travis; Jim Bowie and Davie Crockett died there.
San Jacinto- where General Sam Houston's small army lured Santa Anna, near
present-day Houston, Texas. April 21, 1836, Texans took advantage of the
Mexican siesta and wiped them out. They captured Santa Anna and made him
agree to withdraw Mexican troops, recognize Texan independence with the Rio
Grande as the southwest boundary.

Recognition of Texas- Texas was recognized by the US as “The Lone Star
Republic” in 1837. Texas officially petitioned for annexation in 1837 but not
initially admitted as a state because it would have heightened the slavery issue.
Unit 5 Terms
Cotton Kingdom- Economic spiral that included a new demand for slaves. Britain tied by
threads of cotton to the South in dependence of cotton.
William Lloyd Garrison- 26 year old abolitionist. Published antislavery newspaper, The
Liberator. 1st issue released New Year's Day, 1831. Advocated uncompensated
emancipation and secession from slave-holding states.
American Anti-Slavery Society (1833)- Founded by abolitionist followers of Garrison,
included Wendell Phillips, “The abolitionists' golden trumpet”. Wouldn't eat cane sugar
or wear cotton because they were produced by Southern slaves.
Frederick Douglass- Considered the greatest black abolitionist. Escaped slavery in 1838
(21 years old). Discovered by abolitionists in 1841 through his powerful speech. 1845,
published his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. Self-educated.
The son of a black slave woman and a white father. Looked to politics to end slavery.
American Nativists/Know-Nothing Party- Americans opposing the immigration into the
US of the time (ex. Irish, Germans) for fear that they would outbreed, outvote, and
overwhelm the “native” stock. Political party of “nativists” that wanted restrictions on
immigration and a naturalization law authorizing the deportation of alien paupers.
James K. Polk- Elected President in 1844, served 1 term. Democrat and pro-expansionist
from Tennessee. America's first “dark-horse” candidate. Was sponsored by Andrew
Jackson. “Young Hickory” set 4 clearly defined goals for his administration and
accomplished them all. Lowered the tariff; restored the independent treasury; acquired
CA; reached a settlement with Great Britain over Oregon.
Manifest Destiny- prominent in the presidential campaign of 1844, the feeling and sense
of mission that God had “manifestly” destined Americans to conquer the entire
hemisphere. Greatly swayed Expansionist Democrats. Was reflected in obtaining
California, Oregon, and in the hopes of some to acquire Mexico and Canada.
California Gold Rush: 1848-1855 or so. Tens of thousands of miners, many from abroad,
come as 49ers. Huge influx results in Statehood for California as part of the
Compromise of 1850.
Compromise of 1850- California entered as a free state. Utah and New Mexico could
decide their statuses of slavery through popular sovereignty. Texas ceded some of its
land in return for the assumption of debt by the federal government. Ended slave trade
in Washington DC. Created a harsh Fugitive Slave Law. Cotton Kingdom- Economic spiral
that included a new demand for slaves. Britain tied by threads of cotton to the South in
dependence of cotton, 75%.
Mormons: Religion founded by Joseph Smith based on the revelation of the Book of
Mormon. Church of Latter-Day Saints organized in 1830. Mormons are persecuted and
Smith is killed, leading to the Great March West to present-day Utah under Brigham
Young in 1846. Practice of polygamy causes problems for the young church.
Matthew Perry- Commanded US dispatch warships sent to open Japan. With force and
tact, persuaded the Japanese in 1854 to sign Kanagawa Treaty in 1854, opening several
ports for trade and promising safety for shipwrecked Americans.
49th Parallel- 1846, Compromise line proposed by Polk with Britain for Oregon. Proposed
by the British themselves. Initially, US wanted 54-40 and the Brits wanted the Columbia
River.
John Slidell- 1845, dispatched by Polk to Mexico City as Minister. Instructed to offer a
maximum of $25 million for California and the territory east, was rejected by Mexico.
Nueces River vs. Rio Grande- deadlock with Mexico over the question of boundary of
Texas. The previous boundary of Texas was the Nueces River. Polk sent men between
the rivers, hoping for attack, but nothing initially happened. Mexico eventually took the
bait, giving Polk excuse for war.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848- signed by Nicholas P. Trist and
forwarded to Washington. Confirmed the American title to Texas and yielded the
enormous area stretching westward to Oregon and California. The US paid $15 million
for the land and agreed to assume the claims of its citizens against Mexico, $3,250,000.
Total: $18,250,000.
Clay, Calhoun, Webster- “immortal trio/senatorial giants.” Clay and Webster (Whigs)
fought for national unity. Calhoun (Democrat) championed the South. Their final
showdown was over the Compromise of 1850. Calhoun died thinking the South was in
trouble.
Kansas-Nebraska Act, 1854- proposed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois. Slavery
was to be based on popular sovereignty in old Louisiana Purchase area. Kansas would
presumably become a slave state; Nebraska would presumably become a free state.
Hugely controversial because it overturned the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Republican Party- the offspring of the Kansas-Nebraska issue. Included upset Whigs,
Democrats, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, and all foes of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
Opposed expansion of slavery. Within 2 yrs, elected a Republican Speaker of the House
of Representatives. The 1st purely sectional party.
Bleeding Kansas- Preview of the Civil War in Kansas. Pro- v anti-slavery forces fought for
control, 300 killed. Slavery supporters created a government at Shawnee Mission while
the Free-Soilers did the same at Topeka. Pres Buchanan supported admission of Kansas
as slave state, but rejected by Congress.
Dred Scott decision: 1857. The Taney court rules that Scott, being a black man, is not a
citizen and has no rights. The court goes further and decrees no territory may keep out
slaves, fueling the argument over the expansion of slavery.
Election of 1860- hung on the issue of peace or civil war. Stephen A. Douglas (Northern
Democrat), from Illinois; John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), from Kentucky, who
favored the extension of slavery in the territories and Cuba; John Bell (Constitutional
Union Party), from Tennessee; Abe Lincoln (Republican), from Illinois. Lincoln won the
election with zero southern support, and as a result, the South seceded.
Secession- Dec. 1860, South Carolina unanimously seceded. Within 6 weeks, Alabama,
Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas seceded too. Later, Virginia, Arkansas,
North Carolina, and Tennessee seceded after Fort Sumter. Feb. 1861, the Confederate
States of America was formally created in Montgomery, Alabama. Jefferson Davis was
their President.
Jefferson Davis- In Feb. 1861 chosen as President of the Confederate States of America.
Border States- Slave states that stayed with the Union: Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland,
Delaware, and (eventually) West Virginia. Crucial after the secession of 11 Southern
states. Contained powerful population, manufacturing, navigation.
Homestead Act of 1862- passed by Republican Congress. Gave away free farm land in
the west in 160 acre parcels for a small fee. Goal was to fill and domesticate the vast
interior of the country.
Emancipation Proclamation- 1863, Lincoln declared that any Confederate States still in
rebellion 100 days from the Emancipation's Issuance would lose their slaves. Did not
affect border states or conquered southern states. Purpose was to strengthen the moral
cause of the Union.
General William Tecumseh Sherman- marched to the sea through Georgia then into the
Carolinas. Burned buildings, tore up railroads, and killed people in the streets to “make
Georgia howl.” Practitioner of total was against civilians.
Election of 1864- Republican Party joined with the War Democrats to become the Union
Party running Lincoln and VP Candidate Andrew Johnson, War Democrat from
Tennessee. McClellan ran for Democrats. Northern soldiers were furloughed home to
vote for Lincoln. Lincoln victorious.
Thirteenth Amendment- 1865, ratified by the states 8 months after the Civil War. Ended
slavery throughout US.
Radical Reconstruction- Radical Republicans, led by Charles Sumner (Senate) and
Thaddeus Stevens (House) wanted more land and education at the federal expense for
blacks, which they didn't get. Wanted the 15th Amendment, which gave black men the
vote, which they did get.
Thaddeus Stevens- House of Representatives: Congressman, Radical Republican. An
unswerving friend of blacks. Leading figure on the Joint (House-Senate) Committee on
Reconstruction.
Military Reconstruction Act- March 2, 1867, passed by Congress: divided the
Confederacy into 5 military districts until the states had ratified the 14th Amendment
(Blacks are citizens, repudiates Confederate debt, provides due process and penalizes
States that deny black men the vote.) Purpose was to create a Southern electorate
favorable to Republican goals.
Fifteenth Amendment- provided for black male suffrage: the right to vote shall not be
denied because of race, color or previous condition of servitude. No mention of
women.
Ku Klux Klan- “Invisible Empire of the South.” Founded in Tennessee, 1866. Consisted of
Southern whites against “radical” rule. Intimidated blacks to stop them from voting.
Force Acts- passed to fight the KKK in 1870 and 1871. Allowed federal troops to stamp
out much of the “lash law.”
Literacy Tests- given by Southern voting registrars to blacks as a requirement for voting.
Purpose was to prevented blacks from voting.
Compromise of 1877- the result of Hayes's (R) victory in the Election of 1876 against
Tilden (D). Democrats agreed that Hayes could take office in return for the withdrawal
of federal troops from Louisiana and South Carolina, the 2 states in which they. As a
result of the removal of federal troops, a solid Democratic South formed-- state
governments were quickly “redeemed” by whites.
Sharecropping, tenant farming: economic system that replaced slavery. Suited landless
freedmen, who needed jobs, and plantation owners, who needed workers but had little
money to pay them. Associated with the crop lien system in which tenants would
receive credit against next season’s crop. Resulted in debt-peonage.
Plessey v Ferguson, 1896: The Supreme Court’s decision establishing the separate but
equal principle. Upholds the legality of Jim Crow laws after the Civil War.
Sand Creek, Colorado, 1864/Chivington Massacre: Pitiless massacre of Native men,
women and children performed by US troops under General Chivington as retaliation for
Indian attacks. Chivington told his troops: “Kill them all… nits make lice.” Over 100
natives were killed though they flew a flag of truce and had been promised safe passage
by the US government.
Little Big Horn/Custer’s Last Stand: Custer led a “scientific” expedition into the Black
Hills of South Dakota where he discovered gold and this caused people to swarm the
territory. The Sioux were outraged and attacked. Colonel Custer’s Seventh Cavalry was
sent to return the Sioux to the reservation to suppress the uprising. Custer and 264
officers were wiped out when they attacked 2,500 warriors in Montana along the Little
Big Horn River in 1876. This led to a series of battles in which the US Army hunted down
the Native Americans.
Government Subsidies:
Monetary assistance granted by a government to a person or group in support of an ent
erprise regarded as being in the public interest.
Trust: Business arrangement created by Rockefeller. The stock of various companies in
a given industry is held by a group of people who then run those companies like a
monopoly. Standard Oil was the first trust, but many followed.
Social Darwinism: Darwin’s ideas of natural selection and survival of the fittest applied
to society. The poor are poor because they are stupid and hopefully won’t pass along
those genes for laziness!
John D. Rockefeller: Monopolized the oil refining industry. Ruthless competitor,
bought out rivals or used dirty tricks against them until they folded. Pioneered the
concept of horizontal integration and was the first to form a trust, Standard Oil.
J.P. Morgan: Giant of the banking industry. Tremendous power and wealth. Bailed out
the country during the gold shortage during Cleveland’s term. Bought out Carnegie’
steel businesses for $400 million and formed US Steel, the first $1 billion company.
Conspicuous Consumption: The act of practice of spending money on expensive things
that are not necessary in order to impress other people.
Knights of Labor: Mildly utopian. Accepted skilled and unskilled workers, women and
blacks. Wanted better working conditions and 8 hour day. Terrance Powderly the
leader. They envisioned the eventual ownership of industry by workers. Killed off partly
by Haymarket Riot.
American Federation of Labor: Samuel Gompers leader. Accept only skilled workers.
Wanted “bread and butter” issues addressed—wages, working conditions, hours.
Advocated closed-shops (union members only.)
Mother Jones: Mary Harris "Mother" Jones was an Irish-American schoolteacher and
dressmaker who became a prominent labor and community organizer. She then helped
coordinate major strikes and co-founded the Industrial Workers of the World, a radical
labor group.
New South: A phrase that has been used intermittently since the American Civil War to
describe the American South, after 1877. The term "New South" is used in contrast to
the Old South and the slavery-based plantation system of the antebellum period.
Sierra Club: Dedicated to preserving the wilderness of the western landscape funded.
Headed by John Muir.
Department of the Interior: The United States federal department charged with
conservation and the development of natural resources; created in 1849.
The Grange: The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry was founded by
Oliver Kelley in 1867 in order to bring together farmers. From 1873-1875, membership
for The Grange increased dramatically and their main area of concern was regulating the
railroads since the group consisted of farmers who were often at the mercy of the
railroad companies. Besides regulating railroad companies, The Grange sought grain
warehouses as well.
Las Gorras Blancas: Spanish for "The White Caps", a group active in the American
Southwest in the late 1880s and early 1890s in response to Anglo-American land
grabbers.
Colored Farmers’ Alliance: Formed in 1886 in the American state of Texas. The
Farmers' Alliance did not allow black farmers to join so a group of black farmers decided
to organize their own alliance, to fill their need. The organization rapidly spread across
the Southern United States, peaking with a membership of 1.2 million in 1891.
People’s Party (Populists): The Populist Party, or the “Peoples Party”, was founded in
1891 but was mainly of importance between the years of 1892 and1896 before fizzling
out. Members of the Populist Party consisted of mainly poor, white farmers in the
south and west and their main platform consisted of moving the nation to the silver
standard and deflation. Also wanted public ownership of railroads and telegraphs. In
the 1896 the party endorsed the Democratic candidate, William Jennings Bryan,
because of his dedication to free silver. This bondage to the Democratic Party caused
the downfall of the Populist Party.
International and Internal Migration Trends: Between 1880 and1920, the immigration
pattern into the United States shifted from primarily those from Northern and Western
Europe to those from Southern and Eastern Europe. These “New Immigrants” came
from countries like Italy, Greece, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Czechoslovakia, and Croatia.
These immigrants were fleeing low wages, unemployment, disease, and religious
persecution in Europe. Unlike the previous wave of immigrants, these tended to be
uneducated and non-English speaking which made assimilation difficult. These
immigrants also settled in eastern cities in the US and would take low paying jobs. The
influx of “New Immigrants” often caused cities to become overcrowded and they were
often discriminated against.
Americanization of Immigrants: This occurred in the early 20th century and included
activities that were designed to prepare immigrants for participation in citizenship.
National American Woman Suffrage Association: This association was formed in 1890
when the National Woman Suffrage Association merged with the American Woman
Suffrage Association. Leaders in the group consisted of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B.
Anthony, and Carrie Chapman Catt. The purpose of this association was to win the right
to vote for women.
Woman’s Christian Temperance Union: An organization founded in the late nineteenth
century in the United States that encouraged total abstinence from alcohol. It was one
of the leading forces in bringing about prohibition.
Transcontinental Railroad: Union Pacific pushed west from Omaha, Central Pacific
pushed east from Sacramento in a race to form the first transcontinental RR. Met in
Promontory Point, Utah.
RR Subsidies: To promote the expansion of the railroad, the federal government passed
the Pacific Railroad Act that provided land grants to railroads.
Land-Grant Colleges: The Morrill Act of 1862 provided a generous grant of public lands
to the states to support education which are mostly state universities. Most of these
schools provided military training and the Hatch Act of 1887 extended the Morrill Act by
providing federal funds for agriculture in connection with the land grant colleges.
Gilded Age: The period from 1870-1898 in the US which was marked by the growth of
industry and wealth which supported materialism and political corruption.
Laissez-Faire: Economic policy whereby government largely stays out of the way of
businesses. Very little regulation. Advocated by most presidents of the Gilded Age.
Socialism: A political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that
the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by
the community as a whole.
Interstate Commerce Act: 1887. Sought to regulate railroads by making illegal such
practices as rebates, pools, discrimination against shippers, charging more for short
hauls than long. Established the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to enforce
these regulations. Ended rate wars and paved the way for orderly competition,
stabilizing the existing system.
Plessy v. Ferguson: 1896. The Supreme Court’s decision establishing the separate but
equal principle. Upholds the legality of Jim Crow laws.
American Protective Association: An American anti-Catholic secret society established
in 1887 by American Protestants. It was strongest in the Midwest, and came under
heavy attack from Democrats until its collapse in the mid-1890s.
Chinese Exclusion Act: 1882. Prompted by racism and violence against Chinese
immigrants. The Kearneyites (members of the Workingmen’s Party formed in 1877 in
California) targeted Chinese workers as unfair competition. All Chinese Immigration to
the US halted.
Henry George: An American writer, politician and political economist, who was
opposed by the accumulation of wealth by the rich at the expense of the poor.
Edward Bellamy: An American author and socialist, most famous for his utopian novel,
Looking Backward, a Rip Van Winkle-like tale set in the distant future of the year 2000.
Advocated a more equitable distribution of wealth.
Gospel of Wealth: Carnegie’s idea that wealthy people should give away their money in
a way that will help others (Philanthropy.) He who dies rich dies disgraced.
Booker T. Washington: Booker T. Washington was an ex-slave who championed black
education. In 1881 he headed the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama which was a
normal (teaching) and industrial school for black students. Washington avoided
challenging white supremacy and social equality but allowed for segregation as long as
black people were able to develop their educational and economic resources. He
believed that economic independence was the key to political and civil rights.
Ida Wells-Barnett: Wells was an anti-lynching champion who started a protest in
Memphis regarding the lynching of three respected black businessmen. Her life was
threatened and she had to flee from the South to the North. She was a journalist and a
teacher and she inspired other black women to start anti-lynching campaigns. She
helped start the black women’s club movement which led to the National Association of
Colored Women in 1896.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Insisted that “obey” be left out of her marriage ceremony.
Shocked others, but advocated women's suffrage. Introduced a Declaration of
Sentiments at Seneca Falls.
1. Imperialism/World Power
Spanish-American War: 1898 between the US and Spain, which the US started
because it wanted Cuba to be independent from Spain and because the US
battleship Maine was mysteriously destroyed by an explosion near Havana,
Cuba.
Philippines/Filipino Insurrection: 1899-1901, Filipinos sought to expel US forces
from the Philippines through force. It began after the Senate refused to grant
independence to the Philippines. Exceptionally bloody. Hundreds of thousands
of Filipinos killed.
Open Door Notes: sent by Secretary of State John Hay to the major powers
(France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, and Russia), asking them to
formally declare that they would uphold the territorial integrity of China and not
interfere with free trade within their spheres of influence in China. This was the
US's response to the threat it felt toward its commercial interests in China.
Anti-Imperialism League: An organization established by George S. Boutwell on
June 15, 1898, to battle the American annexation of the Philippines as an insular
area. Mark Twain was a member!
Dollar Diplomacy: Taft. Idea/approach to foreign policy that Wall Street bankers
should invest their money in foreign areas of strategic concern to the US,
especially in the Far East and regions critical to the security of the Panama Canal.
Dollars, not bullets.
Mexican Intervention: a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an
uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz, and
lasted for the better part of a decade until around 1920.
2. Progressives
Nature Conservation: Championed by TR and John Muir. Examples: Desert Land
Act of 1877; Forest Reserve Act of 1891; Carey Act of 1894; Newlands Act of
1902. TR saved a total of 125 million acres, more than 3x the conservation of
any other president.
TR's 3 Cs: He had a square deal for capital, labor, and public which included the 3
C's: control of corporations, consumer protection, and conservation of natural
resources
Meat Inspection Act: 1906, pushed by TR through Congress after reading The
Jungle. Decreed that the preparation of meat shipped over state lines would be
subject to federal inspection from corral to can. Is it lunch time?
Pure Food and Drug Act: 1906, companion of the Meat Act, designed to prevent
the adulteration and mislabeling of foods and pharmaceuticals.
Wilson attacks Triple Wall of Privilege: Tariff, Banks, Corporations.
Underwood Tariff: 1913- Passed at the request of Wilson, it substantially
reduced imposts for the first time since the Civil War.
Federal Reserve System: the central bank of the United States. It was
created by the Congress to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and
more stable monetary and financial system.
Clayton Antitrust Act: 1914- Adopted by Wilson, it lengthened the
Sherman Act's list of business practices that were deemed objectionable,
including price discrimination and interlocking directorates. It sought to exempt
labor and agricultural organizations from antitrust prosecution while explicitly
legalizing strikes and peaceful picketing. Put teeth into anti-trust efforts.
Florence Kelley: In 1893 Florence Kelley aided Jane Addams in the lobbying for
the Illinois anti-sweatshop law. She was a socialist who worked for the majority
of her life on fighting for the welfare of women, children, blacks, and consumers.
She lived in New York and served for 30 years as the general secretary of the
National Consumers League. Kelley was Illinois’s first chief factory inspector and
was a leading advocate for national factory improvement. In 1899 she led the
National Consumers League which pressured for laws to protect women and
children in the workplace, such as Muller v. Oregon (1908).
3. World War I
American Expeditionary Force: The United States Armed Forces that fought in
France alongside French and British allied forces in the last year of the war,
against Imperial German forces.
Treaty of Versailles: in Paris began Jan. 18, 1919; completed June 1919;
contained few of Wilson’s 14 Points—harsh, vindictive treaty toward Germany—
but did include League of Nations; not agreed to by the US Senate through fear
that Article X of the League Covenant would drag the US into foreign wars. Huge
defeat for Wilson.
League of Nations: a world parliament, Wilson's ultimate goal; he envisioned it
to contain an assembly of seats for all nations and a council to be controlled by
the great powers.
Committee of Public Information: led by journalist George Creel; purpose was to
sell America on the war and sell the world on Wilsonian war aims; employed
150.000 workers; sent out a “4-Minute-Men” army of 75,000; propaganda in
form of posters, billboards, leaflets, pamphlets, red-white-blue booklets, and
anti-German movies.
Sedition Act: 1918, made it illegal to speak against the war, the President, the
uniform, etc. Used to stifle dissent. Many jailed. Constitutionality upheld by the
Supreme Court.
Conscription: 1917, the draft, passed by Congress 6 weeks after declaring war;
disliked by Wilson, but considered necessary; required the registration of all
males between 18 and 45; exemption could not be purchased; law exempted
men in key industries, ex. shipbuilding; army grew within a few months to 4
million+ men; women were admitted for the first time.
4. 1920s
Radio: KDKA was the first commercial radio station. Soon 500 stations existed.
Motion Pictures: Such as the Train Robbery, Birth of a Nation, Jazz Singer. Jazz
Singer (1927) was the first movie with synchronized sound. The majority of
Americans saw one film/week.
Automobiles: The 1920s saw in increase of automobile ownership due to Henry
Ford’s Model T which was the first mass produced and affordable car. This was
made more affordable with the invention of the assembly line.
Political and Cultural Conflicts in 1920s: The 1920s brought a struggle between
an old and a new America. Immigration, race, alcohol, evolution, gender, politics,
and sexual morality all became major cultural battlefields. The most obvious
signs of change were the rise of a consumer-oriented economy and of mass
entertainment.
Harlem Renaissance: in Harlem, NY; African American cultural movement that
spanned the 1920s and 1930s; Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Zora Hurston,
etc.
Yiddish Theater: This novel form of entertainment came to New York and turned
it into the undisputed world capital of the Yiddish stage. The American Yiddish
theater was a genuine people’s institution insofar as its appeal was not limited to
any one socioeconomic group.
Jazz: associated with the Harlem Renaissance. Combined African rhythms,
spirituals, blues, European musical influences, etc. Stressed syncopation,
improvisation, poly-rhythms, and more. Uniquely American music form.
Edward Hopper: a prominent American realist painter and printmaker. While he
was most popularly known for his oil paintings, he was equally proficient as a
watercolorist and printmaker in etching.
Xenophobia: An irrational and intense fear or dislike of those people from other
countries.
Red Scare: post-war fear of communism caused by Bolshevik takeover in Russia
and strikes at home.
Immigration Restrictions:
Emergency Quota Act- 1921, restricted the number of immigrants
admitted from any country annually to 3% of the number of residents from that
same country already living in the United States in 1910.
Immigration Acts of 1924, 1928- further restricted the number of
immigrants admitted from any country annually to 2% of the number of
residents from that same country living in the United States in 1890. In 1890,
not many immigrants from Southeastern Europe had yet arrived.
5. Depression
FDR: 32nd President of the United States; elected four times; instituted New
Deal to counter the Great Depression and led country during World War II (18821945).
Business Cycle: a cycle or series of cycles of economic expansion and contraction
(booming and busting). Depressions are severe contractions.
Corporations: A company or group of people authorized to act as a single entity.
Great Depression: An economic recession that began on October 29, 1929,
following the crash of the U.S. stock market. Worst in American history. This
lasted until the United States entered into WWII.
FDR’s New Deal: FDR's range of programs for fighting the Depression. 3 R's:
relief, recovery, reform. No consistent ideological basis, it was partly
experimental.
National Recovery Administration: 1933, attempted to stabilize prices and
wages. Government would work with business and labor to plan a more orderly
economy. Did not work well as it asked for voluntary sacrifices by business.
Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Tennessee Valley Authority: 1933 A New Deal program that modernized the
poor areas of the Tennessee Valley through hydroelectric dams built and
operated by the government.
Federal Writers’ Project: This was a United States federal government project to
fund written work and support writers during the Great Depression. It was part
of the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program.
Huey Long: Louisiana Senator. Called the Kingfish, a radical populist who
advocated a Share Our Wealth program. Slogan was “Every Man A King.”
Wanted wealth to be redistributed. Assassinated in 1935.
Supreme Court Fight: 1937, FDR tried to add up to six more Justices of the
Supreme Court, one for every sitting justice over 70 years old. Lied to the
Americans public that it was because the Supreme Court was behind in its work.
Really wanted to stack the court with his people so the court would stop
declaring New Deal legislation unconstitutional. Huge loss of credibility for FDR.
What was he thinking?
Social Security Act: 1935- New Deal program that included unemployment
insurance and retirement pensions, benefits to survivors, and help to those with
disabilities. Workers pay into the program during working years, then receive
monthly retirement checks after retiring.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: 1933. Insured bank deposits up to
$2,500 (initially) with government funds. It was intended to restore public faith
in banks and prevent bank runs.
Mexican Immigration: Revolution in Mexico and a strong U.S. economy brought
a tremendous increase in Mexican immigration rates. Between 1910 and 1930,
the number of Mexican immigrants counted by the U.S. census tripled.
Great Migration: This was the movement of 6 million African Americans out of
the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West
that occurred between 1910 and 1970.
Great Depression era deportations: As many as two million people of Mexican
descent were forced or pressured to leave the US. This event occurred during
the latter end of the Hoover Presidency and into Franklin Delano Roosevelt's
second term. The event, carried out by American authorities, took place
without due process. The Immigration and Naturalization Service targeted
Mexicans because of "the proximity of the Mexican border, the physical
distinctiveness of mestizos, and easily identifiable barrios."
Luisa Moreno: She was a leader in the United States labor movement and a
social activist. She unionized workers, led strikes, wrote pamphlets
in English and Spanish, and convened the 1939 Congreso de Pueblos de Habla
Española, the "first national Latino civil rights assembly", before returning to
Guatemala in 1950.
6. World War II
Cash and Carry/Lend-Lease: approved March 1941. “Send guns, not sons”
“Billions, not bodies.” Roosevelt promised that the US would be the “arsenal of
democracy;” would send limitless supply of arms to the victims of aggression and
hopefully keep the war on the other side of the Atlantic. Aided mainly Britain
and the USSR. Opposed by isolationists and anti-FDR Republicans. Marked the
end of neutrality.
Four Freedoms Speech: Four kinds of freedom mentioned by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt in a speech in 1941 as worth fighting for: freedom of speech and
expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
Pearl Harbor: Dec. 7, 1941, “A day which will live in infamy.” Japanese bombers
hit the US Pacific fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 3,000 American deaths;
many aircrafts destroyed; battleship fleet was virtually wiped out when all 8 of
the craft were sunk or otherwise immobilized; luckily 3 priceless aircraft carriers
were outside the harbor. The next day Congress declared war on Japan.
Japanese Interment Camps: 1941, All 110,000 Japanese-Americans living along
the Pacific Coast were herded together into concentration camps for the
duration of the war. 2/3 were American-born US citizens. 1988, the US
government apologized and paid $20,000 to each camp survivor. Done by Order
9906.
Bracero Program: The Bracero Program in 1942 agreement with Mexico inviting
thousands of Mexican agricultural workers to the US to harvest the fruit and
grain crops of the West. Operation “Wetback” in the '50s sought to round up
workers and deport them.
Atomic Bomb: A powerful weapon created from the splitting of atoms. It was
used by President Harry S. Truman in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and
Nagasakito end World War II. Referred to as Fat Man and Little Boy.
Atlantic Charter: 1941, contained 8 points formulated by Roosevelt and Churchill
and endorsed later that year by the Soviet Union. Opposed imperialistic
annexations; promised self-determination; affirmed the right of people to
choose their own governments; disarmament; peace; and a new League of
Nations.
Sonar: a system for the detection of objects under water and for measuring the
water's depth by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return
after being reflected.
Manhattan Project: Top secret project to design, build and test an atomic bomb.
1940, Roosevelt was persuaded by Einstein that it was possible. Congress
appropriated $2 billion. Project was centered in Los Alamos, NM and headed by
scientist J Robert Oppenheimer. July 6, 1945, the first atomic device was
detonated in the desert near Alamogordo, NM.