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110 Cards in this Set

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  • Back
George Washington appreciated and used the powers of the presidency to the fullest; however, he also respected:
The separation of powers (legislative, judicial, executive)
During George Washington's presidency, who was Secretary of War?
Henry Knox (He'll Knox you out)
During George Washington's presidency, who was Secretary of the Treasury?
Alexander Hamilton (ham's not expensive for the treasurer--ok, sorry)
During George Washington's presidency, who was Secretary of State?
Thomas Jefferson
What four precedents did Washington create for future Presidents?
1) Dressing plainly
2) Addressing Congress formally
3) Choosing to be addressed simply as "Mr. President"
4) Serving two terms
What are two things Washington, the "Indispensable Man," provide to the young United States?
Direction and stability
How did the American Revolution affect France?
It was popular and helped to start the French Revolution, which unfortunately became radical and violent
How did England and the European countries react to the French Revolution?
They felt threatened and attacked.
What did France expect of the United States?
That they would honor the Franco-American alliance of 1778.
What was George Washington's stance on the European war?
He issued a statement of neutrality.
What did the United States hope to achieve through neutrality?
Profit from doing business with both sides.
As a result of the U.S.'s neutrality and attempt at profiting from both sides of the European war, what happened to U.S. shipping?
British and French privateers began to stop U. S. ships and steal their cargo and sometimes kidnap their men.
Who was Citizen Genet?
Edmond Charles Genet, French diplomat to the U. S. during the French Revolution.
What did Genet persuade some American merchants to do?
Arm their vessels and sail under the French flag as corsairs or privateers.
What did Genet demand of Washington?
That the U. S. honor the alliance of 1778 and allow French corsairs to use any/all U. S. ports.
How did Washington respond to Genet?
He ordered Genet to stop soliciting American merchants to sail as French naval ships; when Genet ignored him and made further demands to use U. S. ports, Washington demanded that the French government replace him.
What happened when Washington demanded Genet's removal?
The French government did remove him, but shortly afterward French ships stepped up their attacks on American merchant ships in the Carribbean.
Who was hurt politically by the Genet Affair?
Thomas Jefferson, who was known to be friendly with Genet and the French.
Whom did Washington send to London to try to work out a solution to the British attacks on American shipping?
John Jay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
What three points did Jay succeed in working out with the British?
1) The U. S. would not send any "contraband" items to France. Britain would decide what was and was not contraband.
2) British would pay damages for goods seized.
3) British allow U. S. to trade with its colonies in Asia, but not the Carribbean (which were the ones the U. S. wanted).
How was Jay's treaty with the British received by
a) the U. S. citizens?
b) Washington?
c) France?
a) it was very unpopular with the U. S. citizens;
b) Washington didn't like it but got Congress to ratify it because it was the best they could do, and they needed the Brits to stop attacking American ships
c) France was insulted; diplomatic relations strained.
What positive benefit did Jay's Treaty have, diplomatically?
It encouraged the Spanish, who were at war with France, to work out a deal with the U. S: Pinckney's Treaty.
What were the three benefits America received from Pinckney's Treaty?
a) they obtained navigation rights to the lower Mississippi River.
b) they obtained the right of deposit for New Orleans, allowing western farmers to ship their goods south.
c) they obtained increased trade with Spain.
What were the first two political parties to form in the United States?
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans (AKA Democrats)
Who was the main figure in the Federalist Party, and what kind of government did he favor?
Hamilton; he favored a strong central gov't to counteract human selfishness and weakness; favored the idea of a diverse, industrial nation.
Who were the two main figures in the Democratic-Republican party, and what kind of government did they favor?
Jefferson and Madison; they favored a small, simple government to avoid corruption; favored the idea of a nation of small farmers.
Who ran in the election of 1796?
Federalists: John Adams of Massachusetts and Thomas Pinckney of South Carolina

Democrats: Thomas Jefferson of Virginia and Aaron Burr of New York
How did the election process of 1796 work?
Electors selected by the individual states determined the election. If all electors voted for both candidates, however, the election would be a tie, so one elector was chosen to withhold a vote from the vice presidential candidate.
How did Hamilton attempt to influence voters, and what was the result?
He attempted to influence voters not to support Adams, whom he disliked, and to vote Pinckney for Vice President. Adams supporters found out and withheld their support from Pinckney. In the end, Adams won the Presidency, and Thomas Jefferson won the Vice Presidency.
Angered by Jay's Treaty, the French had been attacking American shipping. How did George Washington respond?
He sent Charles Pinckney to Paris, but the French would not receive him and expelled him from the country.
After his election, John Adams sent what three diplomats to France to try to end French attacks on American shipping?
Pinckney (again), John Marshall, and Elbridge Gerry.
How did the French respond to Adams' three diplomats?
They refused to see them for three months, and then sent three agents (labeled X, Y, and Z by John Adams) to offer a deal; but the deal was that before any negotiations could take place, the U. S. must pay $2500 dollar bribe to each member of the French Directorate and give France a 12 million dollar loan.
How did Pinckney, Marshal, and Gerry respond to the deal offered by X, Y, and Z?
Pinckney said, "No, no, not a sixpence!" and he and Marshal returned to the U. S. to inform the U. S. that they had been ordered to pay a bribe, or tribute, to France. Gerry stayed and attempted to work something else out, knowing that demands for tribute were common in Europe.
How did the U. S. Congress and Adams respond to the deal offered by X, Y, and Z?
Congress refused to allot any money for tribute to France. Adams began building a navy to defend against French attacks on shipping but did his best to avoid outright war, which he felt would be disastrous for the country. He did consider building an army in case of war, but was concerned that it would bring Hamilton, his rival for the presidency, into power as leader of the army under George Washington.
Who helped France and the United States resolve the shipping attacks problem and avoid war?
Prince Talleyrand, a French foreign minister, who helped avert the war because the war in Europe was already too expensive.
How did Adams' handling of the XYZ affair affect his political career? What is his resultant nickname?
Although he gained a good deal of popular support for his response to the XYZ affair, his own political party, the Federalists, were angry at his handling of the rude and insulting behavior of the French. This cost him re-election. He is called "the least appreciated great man in American history."
Who ran in the election of 1800?
Federalists: John Adams and Thomas Pinckney
Democrat-Republicans: Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr.
How did Hamilton complicate the election of 1800?
By attempting to win Pinckney more votes and withold support from Adams (whom Hamilton thought completely unsuitable as a president), Hamilton actually cost both Federalists the election and the Democrat-Republicans won instead.
What further complications arose in the election of 1800?
Jefferson and Burr finished tied, so the House of Representatives had to select one of them to be President, leaving the other as Vice president. Federalists voted for Burr just to make trouble; the election was tied 35 times in a row, until on the 36th time one vote changed and Jefferson officially won.
What amendment was added to the Constitution after the election of 1800, and what is the gist of it?
The Twelfth Amendment was added, and it stated that electors must vote separately for the President and the Vice President.
What was the relationship between Jefferson and Burr after this election?
Jefferson held a grudge against Burr.
What was Jefferson's most important accomplishment as president?
The Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Territory had been sold by Spain to France, and Napoleon Bonaparte sold it to the U. S. for about .3 cents an acre since France needed money badly to keep financing Napoleon's wars. Total price: 15 million dollars. Benefit: American territory almost doubled, and prestige went up.
What two diplomats worked out the agreement for the Louisiana purchase with France?
James Monroe and Robert LivingstoneW
Why was France unable to keep the Louisiana Territory as they had originally planned?
They were going to finance the territory with money earned from a colony called Santo Domingo, but Santo Domingo (led by Toussaint L'Overture and Henri Christophe) rebelled against France during the French Revolution, and France lost 2/3rds of their investments there.
Describe the duel between Hamilton and Burr.
Burr, a Democrat, returned to New York after his stint as VP and ran for governor. He was opposed by George Clinton, who was supported by both Federalist Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, who still held a grudge against Burr. The campaign was dirty and Burr accused Hamilton of saying inexcusable things about him. He then challenged Hamilton to a duel. In the duel, Hamilton shot into the air, an acceptable way out of a duel; but Burr, instead of dismissing the duel, aimed carefully and shot Hamilton through the liver. Hamilton died the next day.
How did Hamilton and Burr's duel affect the Federalist party?
Robbed of their principal leader, the Federalist party came to an end.
Having gained the Lousiana Territory, whom did Jefferson appoint to explore it? How was the exploration financed?
Jefferson appointed Meriweather Lewis (his private secretary) and a soldier, William Clark, to explore the territory. Congress granted Jefferson $2,500 to finance the exploration.
What six things did Jefferson instruct Lewis and Clark to do?
1) map the country
2) locate all rivers
3) take note of soil conditions
4) look for valuable minerals
5) collect plant and animal specimens
6) bring back bones of any rare or exctinct animals they happened to find
What others went on the expedition?
A half-French, half-Indian interpreter skilled in sign language; a carpenter; an expert in repairing guns; and 21 other military men. All used to living in the woods.
When the explorers met the Indians of the Great Plains in Council Bluffs, Iowa, how did Lewis describe the President and his attitude toward the Plains Indians?
Lewis called the President "the great Chief of the seventeen nations of America" and said that he wanted peace with the Indians and was eager to trade with them for their furs.
After wintering at Fort Mandan, what did the explorers do?
They sent many boxes of plants, Indian crafts, and animal bones and skins to Jefferson, and added Toussaint Charbonneau and his wife Sacajawea, with their newborn son, to the group of explorers.
What did the explorers call themselves?
The Corps of Discovery.
How was Sacajawea especially helpful in the Corps?
She was a Shoshone Indian woman and could speak the language, which was especially important when they came to a Shoshone camp. There, Sacajawea discovered that the chief was her brother, and the camp sold the Corps 29 horses for their journey.
Who were the first people to describe many Indian peoples from the mountain areas to the outside world?
Lewis and Clark
When and where did the journey of the Corps of Discovery begin, and when and where did it end?
It began May 14, 1804 at St. Louis, where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet. It ended in November 1805, at Fort Clatsop, which the explorers built, having reached the Pacific Ocean.
When did the explorers make it back to St. Louis?
September 1806.
Which leader of the expedition was an especially considerate, fair, and firm leader?
Meriwether Lewis
Name 3 important things that Lewis and Clark achieved on their exploration.
1) They discovered the true course of the Mississippi River
2) They proved that the continent was much wider than most people had thought
3) They found and mapped a number of passes through the Rockies.
Describe the impressment of American citizens into the British Royal Navy.
The British Royal Navy had the right to impress Royal subjects into naval service, but during the war with France, they began to seize American merchant ships' cargo along with the crews, forcing the crews to serve as British soldiers. They also stopped in American port towns and kidnapped American men. By the time the men were reported missing, they were far out to sea. American citizens were outraged.
How did Thomas Jefferson try to solve the problem of British Naval impressment?
He passed an Embargo Act (Jefferson's Embargo) prohibiting exports from the U. S. Unfortunately, this put tons of people out of work and was an economic disaster. Jefferson allowed the act to be repealed shortly before leaving office.
How did James Madison try to solve the problem of British Naval impressment?
After Jefferson's presidency, Madison tried to open trade with everyone but France and England. \This was called the "non-intercourse act." Madison hoped this would strengthen the U. S. economy and incentivize England and France to end hostilities. It did not work.
Describe the second bill Madison tried in order to end British impressment of American soldiers.
This bill authorized trade with England and France, but promised that whichever country ended hostilities first would continue to enjoy trade with the U.S., while the other would be slammed with a non-intercourse act. This bill also failed, and made the federalists (who supported England rather than France) angry.
Who were the War Hawks in the time of British Naval impressment?
Young congressmen like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who argued that war was necessary to end British impressment. They also believed that war with England would allow the U. S. to take over Canada and Florida (which was owned by Spain, who would almost certainly ally itself to England).
What was Madison's attitude when he formally declared war on England in 1812?
He felt it was a necessary last resort, but not a good one, and began to seek peace almost as soon as the war was declared.
How did the American Navy fare against the British Royal Navy?
The American Navy was very successful. Two famous naval battles include the fight of the Constitution (U.S.) against the Guerriere (Britain), in which the Guerriere was destroyed, and the fight of the Constitution against the British Java. Stephen Decatur, captain of the ship The United States, captured the British ship the Macedonian and hauled it back to New York, putting it up for sale.
What is the ship The Constitution also known as?
Old Ironsides
What was the first round in the fight for Canada, 1812?
1812:General William Hull advanced into Canada but was driven back by Indian chief Tecumseh. The British then announced that Michigan was part of Canada.
What was the second round in the fight for Canada, 1813?
1813: General William Henry Harrison assigned the task of driving the English forces out of Lake Erie (so that advances could be made into Canada) to Officer Perry. Perry built a fleet of ships on the shore of Lake Erie and then moved out into the lake. After beating the English, he told Harrison, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." Harrison then captured Detroit and fought Tecumseh and Canadian troops in Canada itself. Tecumseh died in battle.
Describe the Creek war:
At the urging of the Spanish, English, and Tecumseh, Creek Indians attacked Fort Mims in Alabama and killed 400-500 people, many of them women and children. Andrew Jackson was dispatched from Tenessee to fight the Creeks, and after several battles culminating in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Jackson defeated the Creeks, taking 20 million acres from them as well.
Describe the burning of Washington, 1814.
Because Napoleon had been defeated in the spring, the British had more troops available to send to the war in the United States. The British advanced up the Potomac River, captured Washington, (forcing the president and Congress to flee to Maryland), and burned most of it down, including the capital building. They then proceeded to Baltimore, but could not get close enough to do any damage. After a day and night of firing, they withdrew, which encouraged the Americans.
Describe the Battle of New Orleans.
11,000 British soldiers moved towards the Louisiana Coast. Andrew Jackson mustered every available unit including a unit of free black men and a group of pirates led by Jean Lafitte (who were fighting on the condition that they not be arrested afterward) to defend. The battle of New Orleans lasted 2 hours and ended in a draw. Jackson withdrew to higher ground, brought canon, and built an earthen wall. In the following battle, the British suffered 2000 casualties in 1 hour while only 71 Americans were killed or wounded.
What was ironic and tragic about the Battle of New Orleans?
It was being fought by soldiers who were ignorant of the fact that a peace treaty had already been signed.
Describe the Treaty of Ghent.
The Treaty of Ghent (signed during the Battle of New Orleans) ended the war between England and the United States. The treaty was signed in Ghent, Belgium, by French and American diplomats. The terms were simple: things went back to the way they were before the war. No exchange of money, land or promises.
Why did it seem likely that British would no longer impress Americans to be soldiers after the Treaty of Ghent?
Because England's war with France was over and England would not likely need the extra soldiers.
What was the Rush-Bagot Treaty?
A treaty establishing the northern boundary between the U. S. and Canada at the 49th parallel. Negotiated by John Quincy Adams, secretary of state to president James Monroe.
Name three unpopular (not to say dastardly) actions by Andrew Jackson in Florida.
1) Not trusting the Seminoles because they had absorbed many former Creek Indians, Jackson (who had been sent to put down a Seminole uprising) lured a number of chiefs to a "peace conference" and then hung them.
2) He captured two British citizens whom he suspected of aiding the Seminoles, and had them killed.
3) He said the Spanish were not controlling the area properly, kicked them out of Pensacola, and claimed Florida for the United States.
What was president Monroe's attitude toward Jackson's actions in Florida?
He was embarrassed by them, but would not oppose the popular hero of the Battle of New Orleans.
What was the Adams-Onis Treaty?
Also called the Transcontinental Treaty, this treaty with Spain was negotiated by John Quincy Adams. He arranged for Spain to sell Florida to the U. S. for 5 million dollars, and to recognize the southern border of the U. S. at the 42nd parallel.
What was the Monroe Doctrine?
President Monroe, concerned over European involvement in the WEstern Hemisphere, issued a statement demanding that all European nations cease colonization and involvement in the New World. The U. S. would consider such involvement a threat to its security.
How was the Monroe Doctrine received in Europe?
At first it was laughed at and/or ignored. Later, when it became clear that America had the strength and clout to enforce it, the Monroe Doctrine became one of the most honored parts of American foreign policy.
Why was Monroe's presidency called "the era of good feelings?"
Because the fighting between the Federalists (now defunct) and Democrats had ended; Federalists such as Henry Clay even had jobs in Monroe's administration. Also, America was no longer squeezed between a warring France and Britain, which allowed them to look west.
What did Steven Austin and the Mexican gov't agree to in 1823?
The grant of a huge area of Texas, which was a Mexican territory, to 300 American families which would eventually become "Mexicanized." The "Mexicanized" part never happened.
How common was American emigration to Texas?
Extremely. Americans from all over, but especially the South, began moving to Texas. Often debtors were the ones ditching their debts and moving to Texas, leaving behind signs on their doors for their creditors reading "Gone to Texas."
What happened to slaves in Texas in 1830?
Slavery was prohibited in Texas by the Mexican government in 1830 and all slaves were freed, causing anger and confusion amongst slaveowners and slaves.
Who was Santa Anna and how does he relate to Texas?
Santa Anna was the charismatic dictator of Mexico. When Texas began to be an unruly area, he raised a war to suppress it. Before he could do so, Texans declared their independence.
Who was Steven Austin?
The American who made a deal for Americans to inhabit part of Texas; when things got out of hand he traveled to Mexico City to try to work it out and was arrested and jailed for 8 months. This was a factor in Texans declaring their independence.
What two slaughters caused Texans to fight even harder for independence from Mexico?
The Alamo and Goliad. "Remember the Alamo" was often used as a war-cry by Texans afterward.
Describe Sam Houston's involvement in Texas' fight for independence.
Sam Houston helped to turn the war in favor of the Texans. He led his army eastward 37 days and culminated his march by suddenly turning on the Mexicans at San Jacinto, which he attacked during siesta hour, winning a decisive victory.
Describe Texas' progress toward becoming a state in the U. S.
Although the U. S. supported Texas in its fight for independence from Mexico, Andrew Jackson was hesitant to recognize Texas as an independent nation because of the messy situation with slavery. Texans wanted to be a state in the U. S. but the slavery issue prevented that. They called themselves the "Lone Star Republic" and continued to push for admittance into the Union.
Describe the two political parties in 1836.
As Jackson left office, his supporters began to go by "Democrats" rather than "Republican Democrats." The other group, united mainly by their opposition to Jackson, called themselves "Whigs" and were led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.
Describe the election of 1836.
The Whigs tried to put an overwhelming number of popular candidates on the ballot, so that no one person would get a "full majority." Jackson, however, rigged the election so that his preferred candidate, Van Buren, would win; and Van Buren did.
How was Van Buren viewed as a president?
Although he was capable and a skillful administrator, the Whigs did not like him and the Democrats didn't much, either. The Democrats felt that he was not up to the standard of Andrew Jackson.
What were the four points of Jackson's legacy as an American historical figure?
1) He boosted the power of the presidency/executive branch at the expense of checks and balances;
2) He united the Democratic party;
3) He proved that the people of the U. S. could be trusted with the vote
4) He demolished the Bank of the United States, a centralized federal money system. Some say this caused "massive damage" to the economy, others say it was necessary.
Describe the Panic of 1837/Depression of 1838.
Along with economic downturn after the ending of the Bank of the United States, the U. S. experienced a widespread failure in its wheat crop. Furthermore, two large British banks had fallen a year earlier. During the depression in the U. S., hundreds of American banks closed, including some that had received funds from the closed Bank of the United States.
How did the Whigs want to solve the Depression of 1838?
Expansion of bank credit, higher tarriffs, and subsidies for internal improvements.
Was President Van Buren in favor of the Whigs' solutions for the Depression of 1838?
No.
Who was "Tippecanoe?"
William "Tippecanoe" Harrison, a seasoned soldier, ran for president in 1840. His running mate was John Tyler. ("Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" was a slogan of that time.) Harrison had an image as a simple, hard-working man who "lived in a log cabin and drank hard cider." This image made him very popular with the Americans experiencing hard financial times. He won that election.
Who won the 1844 election, and what was a big issue in that election?
James K. Polk won the election. He was seen as a "dark horse" candidate. The big election was expansion; Polk promised to bring Oregon and Texas into the Union if he were elected.
What did then-president John Tyler do, when he realized that Polk would replace him as president?
He recognized that expansion was a popular idea and got Congress to approve the annexation of Texas, which made Mexico mad.
How large was the Oregon Territory?
Very. The Oregon Territory included the area which now makes up Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Montana.
How were the British involved in the Oregon Territory?
They jointly administered it with the U. S. They had a British population living there north of the Columbia River, along with the Hudson's Bay Company.
How did the British and U. S. divide the Oregon Territory?
At the 49th parallel; northwards going to England, southwards going to the U. S.
Describe the beginning of the Mexican-American war.
After the annexation of Texas, Mexico was mad and had an ongoing border dispute with the U. S., and refused to pay its debts to the U. S. When Polk made an offer to buy California for 15 million, Mexico refused to receive American diplomats. Polk lined up his army under general Zachary Taylor at the disputed border (the side that the Mexicans believed was theirs, not the U. S.'s). Eventually, Mexicans crossed the border and made an attack on the troops stationed there, killing/wounding 16. Polk declared war, although some (including Abe Lincoln) felt that the issue should have been investigated more thoroughly.
What military leader was successful in the Mexican-American war, as well as in the "Bear Flag revolt" in California?
John C. Fremont
What was Zachary P. Taylor's claim to fame?
He led his troops all the way to Buena Vista and repelled a force of 20,000 Mexican soldiers with only 5,000 men. His nickname was "Rough and Ready" and he was considered a hero along the lines of Andrew Jackson.
What was Robert E. Lee's involvement in the Mexican-American war?
He was a young engineering officer and found a way for American troops to pass through the mountains deeper into Mexico (AKA "The Halls of Montezuma."
What did the wily former dictator, Santa Anna, do in the Mexican-American war?
He told the U. S. that he could get them California if he were reinstated as leader of Mexico, but when he did end up as leader of Mexico, he merely took the 15 million that America offered in return for a peace treaty, and then denied the U. S. both a treaty and California.
When a treaty was eventually signed ending the Mexican American war, what were its terms and what was it called?
It was called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and it gave the U. S. all of the Mexican land in Texas north of the Rio Grande, as well as California, for the same 15 million that was originally supposed to pay for California.
What were some of the results of the Mexican-American war?
1)13,000 died, mostly from disease.
2) The U. S. proved its ability to carry out a war capably, and to win it, to other nations.
3) The officers who would later fight the Civil War, including Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant, received training in the Mexican American war.
What was the Wilmot Proviso?
An amendment to a military appropriations bill, introduced by David Wilmot, stating that no territories gained from Mexico would allow slavery. It passed the House twice but failed in the Senate. Southerners guarded the balance they achieved in the Senate, realizing that their economy could be in jeopardy as more people moved against slavery.