PERIOD 4
Periodization:
Now that the government had been set up on paper, it was time to set up precedents left unanswered by the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and actions by Washington’s and Adams’ Administrations. Despite Washington's warning against foreign affairs and political parties in his Farewell Address, both were prevalent in this time period. In the Election of 1800, new political precedents regarding the ability to open campaign were set by Aaron Burr. Additionally, this election resulted in the 12th Amendment, which put vice presidents on the same ticket as presidents, so whichever presidential candidate won essentially had their Vice President of choice. There were also tests of the new country’s governmental strength, varying from Supreme Court cases like Marbury v. Madison and Gibbons v. Ogden, to the idea of nullification with the Nullification Crisis in South Carolina. Additionally the presidency of Andrew Jackson specifically tested the power of the Executive Branch, as seen with the beginning of pocket vetoes, and the veto of the National Bank. The government also tested power through foreign affairs, like the Louisiana Purchase, in which Thomas Jefferson pushed his executive power by purchasing the Louisiana Territory without consulting Congress or the Supreme Court. Additionally, the Barbary Pirates Incident resulted in the Tripoli War. While the US technically didn't win the war, we also didn’t technically lose it either, proving the power of the new US government as it didn't tear our country apart. Another significant precedent set in this time period that was especially concerning was set by the Panic of 1819, which highlighted how recessions and panics started: bad banking processes. While this was to be repeated countless times, the US still has difficulty parting with this practice of booms and recessions.
Documents and political cartoons:
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Turning points:
Election of 1800A)The end of John Adam's presidency and his decrease in popularity due to the Alien & Sedition Acts.
B)Thomas Jefferson won the election thanks to my main man, Alexander Hamilton. C)First time there was a peaceful transition of power from one political party to another. Set up a precedent that transitions in power can and should be peaceful. |
Marbury v. MadisonA)The Judiciary Act of 1801/The Midnight Judges.
B)Marbury, one of the midnight judges, was going to be fired by James Madison, so he decided to try to sue him. Marshall dismissed the case to prevent a political show-down, saying the basis for the suit was unconstitutional. C)Set up the precedent of Supreme Court having the power of Judicial Review and Writ of Mandamus. |
Noah Webster's DictionaryA)Creation of American culture, as seen in the New York Tribune, Hudson River School art, and American literature like Nathaniel Hawthorne.
B)Noah Webster created an American Dictionary (made by an American, for Americans {that should've been the dictionary's slogan}). C)Represented the creation and presence of an American culture that was independent from European cultures. |
Tariff of 1816A)Need to finance the internal transportation and renewal of the National Bank in Henry Clay's American System.
B) Was a the first big tariff in the US. Hurt the South and helped the North. C)Represented and showed a shift to sectionalism between the North and the South, as it was one of the first policies that made Southerners feel as though they were being ignored (beginning of saltiness between the North and South). |
Monroe DoctrineA)President Monroe wanted a way try a limit foreign influence.
B)It basically said that any European attempts to further colonize or interfere in the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression, and would lead to US intervention. C) Led the US back to a more isolationist policy, and set a precedent of US power in the eyes of the rest of the world. |
Parallels/Synthesis:
South Carolina Nullification
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Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion
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Gag rule
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