Preview Sheet: Washington to Jackson
The following questions below represent an overview of items that will be covered throughout this unit. By answering the questions below you
will gain insight to major ideas of the unit. We may not have the opportunity to cover every single topic on this sheet, so please be sure to have
these questions answered.
Homework Content Questions
1. How did the political party system begin with Jefferson and Hamilton?
2. What topics did Jefferson and Hamilton have differing opinions on?
3. What elements were parts of Hamilton’s economic program?
4. How did the Whiskey Rebellion prove the strength of the federal government?
5. Why were many Americans upset over US foreign policy in the Jay Treaty?
6. Why were the Alien and Sedition Acts viewed as a violation of rights?
7. What were some of the major points made in Washington’s Farewell Address?
8. What function do lobby groups serve to the government?
9. Discuss the difference between loose and strict interpretation of the Constitution.
10. What was the geographical impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the US?
11. How did McCulloch v. Maryland test the concept of federalism?
12. How did the Embargo Act of 1807 and War of 1812 affect US trade?
13. What was the significance of the election of 1800? Who won as a result?
14. What was the pan Indian Movement and what impact did Tecumseh have on it?
15. What impact did the Treaty of Ghent have on the US?
16. What factors helped promote nationalism in the US between 1789 and 1860?
17. What factors promoted sectionalism in the US between 1789 and 1860?
18. Describe how the Market Revolution affected the US social and economically?
19. Describe several examples of new technology as the US began to become part of the Industrial
Revolution.
20. What were the political, social, & economic impacts of Eli Whitney’s cotton gin?
21. What impact did the Monroe Doctrine have on US foreign policy?
22. Describe the second development of the American political party system (the Whigs and the
Jacksonian Democrats).
23. Describe the impact and argument of the nullification crisis.
24. What was the Second Great Awakening?
25. Describe the following reform movements: abolitionist (anti-slavery) movement, women’s suffrage
movement (Seneca Falls Convention), temperance movement, & compulsory education.
Essential Questions: Answer 3 out of 4 in written format
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does political disagreement lead to and/or hinder progress?
Does new technology affect political and social attitudes?
How can ordinary citizens influence reform?
How does geography influence sectionalism?
Other important people (not mentioned in the above questions):
Samuel Slater
John Quincy Adams
Andrew Jackson
Henry Clay
John Calhoun
Nat Turner
Frederick Douglass
Soujourner Truth
Harriet Tubman
Lucretia Mott
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Samuel F.B. Morse
William Lloyd Garrison
Horace Mann
Dorthea Dix
Henry Davis Thoreau
Meriwether Lewis
William Clark
Unit 2: The New Republic: Washington to Jefferson
Vocabulary Unit 2
Thomas Jefferson
Eli Whitney
Alexander Hamilton
Cotton gin
George Washington
Robert Fulton
Washington’s Farewell Address
Erie Canal
Isolationism
Household economy
John Adams
Market economy
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
Free enterprise system
Excise tax
Sectionalism
Protective tariff
Nationalism
The Whiskey Rebellion
James Monroe
Lobbying
Monroe Doctrine
XYZ Affair
Tariff of 1828
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Bank War
The Midnight Judges
Spoils system
Marbury v. Madison
Nullification crisis
Election of 1800
Secede
Jay Treaty
Andrew Jackson
Louisiana Purchase
Indian Removal Policy
John Marshall
Trail of Tears
War of 1812
Second Great Awakening
Embargo Act of 1807
Abolitionism
Manifest Destiny
Temperance Movement
The Industrial Revolution
Seneca Falls Convention
Samuel Slater
The Political Spectrum
The “unwritten constitution” includes the development of political parties. Today, party politics have a
major influence on the functions the different levels of government. But where did these political parties
originate?
Today’s political spectrum
Left Wing
Liberals
Democrats
Extreme lift (Socialist/Communist)
Moderate
Right Wing
Republicans Conservatives
Extreme Right (Fascist) 
Democrats: Obama/Clinton/Gore
Republicans: McCain/Bush/Cheney
Comparing Past and Present
 Our 1st President George Washington’s cabinet included men of knowledge and status like Secretary
of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton.
Differences among Hamilton and Jefferson soon became noticeable.
 Jefferson was and Anti-federalist who believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution with a
weaker national government. His followers became known as Jeffersonian Republicans.
 Hamilton was a federalist who believed in a loose interpretation of the Constitution and felt that a
strong national government was needed to build the nation.
 The division among Hamilton and Jefferson helped to create the political party system.
Compare the political views of Hamilton and Jefferson and fill in the chart below.
Alexander Hamilton
(Federalists)
Thomas Jefferson
(Jeffersonian Republicans)
What aspects of either side exist within today’s politics?
Identify the items(s) for your group and fill in the rest when other groups present.
The Origins of American Politics
As the nation began its government under the new Constitution, Americans looked to our first President
George Washington for leadership. Washington provided that leadership along with some of his
distinguished cabinet members (Hamilton and Jefferson). Political differences would pave the way for
constitutional challenges and a foundation for the American political system.
Federalist (Hamilton) vs. Anti-federalist (Jeffersonian Republicans)
Hamilton’s Economic Plan
1. Assumption of debts – the federal government would take responsibility for debts from the
Revolutionary War and the Continental Congress.
2. National Bank – to be created by Congress to win support from the business community and
handle government finances (1791).
3. Excise Tax – (to tax something made in the country). Congress chose whiskey as the item to be
taxed.
4. Protective Tariff – taxes on goods imported from other countries to protect US goods in their
early developing years.
Anti-federalist opposition to Hamilton’s Plan – Jefferson felt that the taxation methods established by the
plan were similar to that of Britain colonial taxation.
Strict interpretation vs. loose interpretation of the constitution:
Jefferson – strict interpretation – government may only do things that the Constitution delegates.
Hamilton – loose interpretation – give government more room to make laws beyond Constitutional
delegated powers (elastic clause).
Whiskey Rebellion – (1794) a refusal of Pennsylvania farmers to pay the excise tax on whiskey led to this
revolt which the federal government used under Washington, ordered troops to crush the rebellion. This
showed the federal government’s power to enforce federal law.
Lobbying – tradition began by special interest groups to influence law makers to vote in particular ways or to
support a particular cause.
Foreign Policy during the Federalists Control
 Washington wanted to keep the US out of foreign affairs as much as possible to prevent the US from
becoming involved in future wars. (policy of isolationism)
 Jay Treaty – agreement between the US and Great Britain that the US would favor the British in
diplomatic and economic matters. (Anti-federalists viewed this as a sell-out to Britain).
 Washington’s Farewell Address – warned the US to remain isolated and neutral in foreign conflict.
Second President John Adams agreed with this policy.
 XYZ Affair – scandal under John Adams where secret diplomats “X, Y, & Z” were sent to France to
work out problems to avoid war. Americans were outraged by the sneakiness of the action and spoke
openly against Adams’ actions.
 Alien and Sedition Acts – limited free speech and gave President the power to imprison or deport any
person(s) who openly spoke against the government. These were later repealed.
Turning Points: The Jeffersonian Period
Election of 1800 – In a very nasty election between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson won the
popular vote, but neither candidate won the electoral vote. In such a case the election is decided by the
House of Representatives
 The House chose Jefferson (our 3rd US President).
Events of the Jeffersonian Presidency
 Midnight Judges – Adams last minute appointments to the judiciary to keep the Federalist’s influence
with the government.
 Land Act of 1800 – Jefferson’s addition to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 which provided small
parcels of land to US citizens for sale in the Northwest territory (modern day Illinois – Minnesota).
 Louisiana Purchase – (1803) Jefferson ordered the purchase of the entire Louisiana territory from
France for $15 Million.
Jefferson’s Foreign Policy
 Because the Jay Treaty made Britain a preferred trade partner, French ships often harassed American
trade ships. British ships also gave US ships trouble as well.
 Jefferson pressed for the Embargo Acts of 1807 to be passed. These acts stopped US trade with
foreign nations. The result hurt the US economy and relations with Britain.
 By 1808, Jefferson Presidency ended on an unpopular note, but his Secretary of State James
Madison would be elected to be the 4th President.
The Marshall Court
Chief Justice John Marshall helped to strengthen the power of the Judicial Branch and the Federal
Government during his time as Supreme Court Chief Justice (1801 – 1835)
 Marbury v. Madison – (established judicial review)
 McCulloch v. Maryland (exempted the 2nd National Bank of the US from paying Maryland state tax
– supported the elastic clause).
 Gibbons v. Ogden (Interstate commerce can be controlled by the Federal government – the federal
government has supremacy over the states.
 Fletcher v. Peck (ex post facto or “after the fact” laws are not allowed to be passed).
The War of 1812
After US ships had been attacked numerous times, Congress declared war on Britain. Although the war
ended in a stalemate (no clear winner) it accomplished several key results:
 The US proved it could stand up to Britain once again.
 Neutrality in foreign conflicts by America was justified.
 Native American groups lost their ally in Great Britain and were less able to stand up to US westward
expansion.
 New war heroes: Andrew Jackson and Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner.
 The Federalist Party weakened after it took a strong opposition to going to war.
The Industrial Revolution and the Market Revolution
The Industrial Revolution
1. Age of new machinery and inventions which changed the way we work.
2. Began in England in the mid 1700’s.
3. British government made it illegal for its people to share the ideas with foreign nations.
4. Britain’s best industry was the creation of textiles (cloth).
5. James Watt’s invention of the steam engine also proved very efficient.
6. Samuel Slater left England in 1789 and gave many industrial secrets to American interests.
7. Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in 1793.
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
8. Eli Whitney also worked out a system of interchangeable parts which was soon adapted by many
other industries.
9. Robert Fulton designed the Clermont, a steam powered ship in 1807.
10. The Erie Canal was opened in 1825 which served as a model nationwide.
11. Railroads began to be built (especially in the North).
12. The United States would soon undergo political, economic and social changes that can be associated
with the start of the Industrial Revolution.
The Market Revolution
 A change in the way Americans made, bought and sold goods.
 As factories grew, manufacturing was completed in a centralized place rather than in the household
(switch from household economy to market economy).
 This change helped to promote the free enterprise system where private businesses worked to make
a profit.
 This market Revolution began to break the US into section where specific businesses thrived in
certain areas.
 Northern Industries such as textile mills became popular in New England which created more jobs
and led to the growth of cities.
 Southern farms remained as some of the new technology made farming easier.
 Divisions between the economies of the North and South would lead to political and social
differences as well. (ex. Slavery, the tariff)
 Sectionalism would later hurt nationalism dividing the nation.
Promoting Nationalism and Our Federal Government
The Monroe Doctrine – by President James Monroe
1. The US would not involve itself with Europe’s affairs nor take sides.
2. The US recognizes the existing colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
3. The US will not permit any new colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
4. Any attempt of this would be considered a hostile act against the US.
 What effect did this have on the US foreign policy?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
 How would such a doctrine promote US nationalism?
_________________________________________________________________________________
Another Historical Election Year
The Election of 1824 between John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, and Andrew Jackson.
 Neither candidate could get a majority of electoral votes.
 The House of Representatives elected J.Q. Adams
 Henry Clay became his Secretary of State (people thought there was a shady agreement).
The Election of 1828 led to the second development of political parties.
 Jackson ran against Adams.
 Both men argued who were the true “Jeffersonians”
 This led to Adams & his followers called the National Republicans or the Whigs.
 Jackson’s followers called themselves the Democrats.
 Jackson won the election and became the 7th President.
Jacksonian Democracy
With vice President Jon Calhoun (until he resigned) then Martin Van Buren
 Jackson was supposed to be the President “for the people”.
 He promoted changing voting laws allowing all white men over 21 to vote instead of just property
owners (voter turn-out increased greatly).
 Jackson fired more than 20% of the federal workers and replaced them with Jacksonian Democrats.
What used to be called patronage was exaggerated into the spoils system.
The Tariff or Nullification Crisis
 Before he was President the Tariff of 1828 was passed. This was a heavy tax on imports to
encourage people to buy American goods (Tariff of Abominations).
 After more federal tariffs, South Carolina refused to pay them or nullify them.
 S. Carolina threatened to secede from the union if its nullification wasn’t respected.
 Jackson threatened to send in troops to S. Carolina.
 Henry Clay produced a compromise bill in Congress that calmed the crisis.
 BUT Jackson’s reaction to the crisis made him seem less “for the people”.
Indian Removal Policy
 1830 Jackson encouraged the passing of the Indian Removal Act which gave Native American
groups land from the Louisiana Purchase in exchange for their eastern land. Several tribes were
forced off their lands like the Cherokees who marched for 116 days in the government forced Trail
of Tears.