Revolution to War of 1812 Review

Blast from the Past:

Anne Hutchinson

Stamp Act

Jamestown

1st Great Awakening

Mercantilism

Material from Unit II

Lexington and Concord-

Bunker Hill- June 17, 1775, Colonial troops in Boston learned that British troops
wanted to occupy vacant hills around the city, 1200 colonial soldiers moved in to
fortify Bunker and Breeder’s Hill, 3000 British troops launched a full frontal
attack, Americans surprised everyone by holding them off and killing almost 300
Brits, colonial victory seemed imminent but ammo gathered at Battle of Fort
Ticonderoga ran out unexpectedly, sig= first major battle of the Revolution, King
George III refuses Olive Branch Petition out of revenge and declares all colonies
in open rebellion
Olive Branch Petition – 1775, created by Continental Congress to avoid further
hostility with British, King George III refused out of bitterness of Bunker Hill, sig=
last chance for British to reconcile before revolution and they REFUSE

Proclamation Line of 1763-

Declaration of Independence (know your notes)- Drafted by Thomas Jefferson
about Richard Henry Lee’s declaration, laid out natural rights of human beings
and listed grievances against British and King George III, authors willing to risk
their lives for declaration (could be charged with treason and hanged for this),
purpose was to absolve colonies from allegiance to British government, truths
held to be self-evident: ***all men are created equal***, endowed to rights of
life/liberty/pursuit of happiness, governments get power from the people,
people can abolish destructive government, groups left out= women and slaves,
gov’t exists to protect natural rights of the peope
Republic- form of government in which the people possess sovereignty,
introduced in Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, James Madison defined it as a
government of representative democracy as opposed to direct democracy, can
we live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence???
Richard Henry Lee- “The United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
independent states…”, proposed a break from England, sig= declaration led to
the writing/passing of the United States’ independence, all that was needed to
technically cut ties with Britain, strong anti-federalist that disliked the
constitution
"Remember the Women"- Abigail Adams wrote this phrase in a letter to her
husband John Adams. She reminded him to remember women’s writes when
writing the Constitution or the would be forced to “foment a revolution”, sig=
invoked the memory of strong US women such as Anne Hutchinson
Saratoga- General Burgoyne marched 75,000 troops down from Quebec through
River Valley in order to cut New England states off from southern states, General
Horatio Gates surrounded Burgoyne’s troops and forced him to surrender, sig=
renewed American enthusiasm for colonial goals, allowed for immediate aid
from France that allowed American independence, TURNING POINT IN THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR

Nathaniel Greene- Known as the “Fighting Quaker”, major general in the

Continental Army in Revolutionary war, one of George Washington’s most
dependable/respected officials
Yorktown – British General Cornwallis stayed in Yorktown awaiting
reinforcements after a string of failed attacks, General Washington and
Rochambeau came at them (in Chesapeake) from one side with the French navy
on the other, forced Cornwallis to surrender all 7000 troops in 1781, sig= tired
British of war and demonstrated France’s value, made British open to treaty,
END OF WAR

Treaty of Paris 1783- negotiated by John Jay, John Adams, and Ben Franklin,
told by Congress to consult with France at every stage and not to make any
private treaties with British, consultants knew they had been advised by a
government influenced by France and its power, John Jay initiated a private
treaty with the British who were eager to comply in order to break Franco-
American alliance, recognized the independence of the US, granted territory
that reached out to Mississippi and down to Florida and up to Great lakes,
colonials agreed to stop mistreating loyalists and “recommend to state
governments that loyalists be paid back”, we never did so British didn’t vacate
forts along north border, Spanish has everything below Mississippi but Britain
thinks they’ll fade away soon enough
Republican Motherhood- based on the ideal of civic virtue, each citizen had to
be virtuous and committed to the republic, mothers are the ones raising the
children therefore are responsible for teaching them virtue, mothers essentially
shape the values of society so should be respected and honored, sig= gave
women a more respected place in society and increased educational
opportunities because a well educated mother can teach her children better
Slavery Issues at the Constitutional Convention- nation already sectionally split
over slavery by the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, northerners already working
on gradual emancipation but southerners won’t cooperate b/c economy depends
on slaves, Thomas Jefferson’s words in Declaration of Independence influenced
many to release slaves represented republican ideals, southerners won’t
budge, DELEGATES CHOOSE UNITY OVER SLAVERY!, pushing the issue might
fracture the already fragile union between the states (and south won’t ratify the
Constitution if it banns slavery), “Leave it to the next generation.”, Founders
though slavery was almost dead anyway, according to Joseph Ellis in Founding
Brothers, the fathers purposely ignored slavery
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation- made weak on purpose: we had
just fought a revolution to escape the tyranny of the British, so why would we
give all the power back to a “monarch” in America? , 13 very independent states
working towards their own selfish goals, identity is to state first/country second,
states are sovereign and have more power than the Articles of Confederation,
taxes imposed within states, A of C could ask for donations from state but had
neither the power of the man nor the power of the sword to impose taxes
nationally, A of C provides unification for emergencies only, come together only
when necessary, unicameral legislature with no president and no judicial system
(states had individual judicial systems), could not regulate commerce, interstate
regulations of ports/bays/tolls conflicted, no power to coin money so every state
had different currencies with varying value, unanimous vote needed to change
the articles which was extremely difficult to procure
Northwest Ordinances (both of them)- 1785: solved the issues of competing
land claims which had caused violence between states, all states gave up claims
to land to central government, established the borders of the 13 original states,
gov’t under the Articles sells newly gained land for profit (and, of course, don’t
bother to consult the natives), used this $$$ to fund government, citizens
thought this would work forever and central government would never have to
collect taxes. 1787: established how new states would join the union,
recognized that all states joining were unique and no longer colonies, made each
state an equal partner in everything, divided up the land in the Old Northwest
into 36 square mile townships in which every 16th square mile plot was dedicated
to raise money for public education, sig= first time government supports
education by land sales, 3 square mile plots for government, slavery banned in
NW territory, sig=created sectionalism (north did not have slavery, old NW
couldn’t have slavery, south still had it), cause of civil war
Great Awakening- Religious revival, fire and brimstone, Jonathon Edwards (itsy
bitsy spider), George Whitmen
Scots-Irish- Immigrants to US who were mistreated in British and Ireland, came
to America but seen as “white trash” so had to settle on the frontier, brought
with them knowledge of how to brew whiskey, sig= dealt with natives on the
frontier (Bacon’s rebellion) and people for Hamilton to tax (Whiskey rebellion)
Shay's Rebellion (What did it have in common with Bacon and Whiskey?)-
Daniel Shays was from Western Massachusetts, angered because farmers’ homes
were being foreclosed upon (most had been soldiers but couldn’t pay for houses
on lowly soldier wages), wanted government to print more money to cause
inflation which would allow them to pay off their debts, but it would hurt banks,
group prevents bankers from foreclosing by blocking the courthouse, scared the
people in power (MOB MENTALITY), tried to call militia but militia was on Shay’s
side, Congress had no power to put down rebellion, all three rebellions took
place on frontiers because the rebels felt the government was not in touch with
their needs
Annapolis Convention- Called by Hamilton because he worried about commerce
(he was considered the “truest American”), says trade, banks, and inflation all
need regulation, purpose of convention was to fix the articles of confederation
but only 5 states showed up, demonstrate deep flaws of Articles
Purpose of the Constitutional Convention – 55 delegates called demigods met
in Philidelphia, first order of business everyone agreed on was to scrap the
ineffective Articles, “Keep it secret, keep it safe”, established 3 parts of
government: legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch

Fear of the Mob inherent in the Constitution- Rebellions (especially Shays and
Bacon) had taught the powerful to fear the mob, delegates saw that the
government needed to have more power in order to control the unruly public,
spread government over three branches, give the people just enough power but
let gentlemen make senate decisions, let electoral college elect president with
insight from the people, appoint judges for life
Who was missing from the CC?- John Adams was in Europe (but he wrote the
declaration!), Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Sam Adams
Virginia Plan- Written by James Madison, favored large states with large
populations, proposed a bicameral legislature branch with representation based
on population, clearly put less populated states at a disadvantage, one house
elected by the people, the other house appointed by members of elected house
New Jersey Plan- 1787, based on republican ideal of equality, all states are
equally important so all should have one vote, unicameral legislature like the
articles had
Great Compromise- written by Roger Sherman from Connecticut, combined New
Jersey and Virginia plans, 2 houses in which one was based on population and
the other house is equal votes for every state, some worried the House of
Representatives would be more powerful because of sheer numbers, checks and
balances even it out because both houses have to pass a bill
3/5ths Compromise- Northern states have more Caucasian inhabitants giving
them an advantage in the house, southern population was mostly slaves, south
wanted to count slaves as people in the population count but treat them still as
property, north said if they were counted as people they couldn’t be slaves,
compromise= each slave would count as 3/5 of a person, gives swing to southern
states in the electoral college

Reserved Powers and the 10th Amendment- powers not delegated to Congress
in the Constitution are reserved for the state or the people
Federalists- In favor of the constitution and strong central government, Articles
a limp noodle, totally freaked out by Shay’s rebellion, gentlemen (the wealthy)
should primarily rule, systems of checks and balances, separation of powers
should protect citizens from tyranny, led by Alexander Hamilton, felt that a
national bill of rights was unnecessary because each state had its own (but
supremacy clause conflicted)

Anti-Federalists- Afraid of Constitution, government had too much power, liked

Articles because they fought revolution against tyranny, tended to be farmers
and back country folk, worried that the Supremacy clause would allow
government to abuse power, wanted bill of rights to protect the people from the
federal government, would ratify Constitution if Bill of rights was included (Feds
promise to make it first order of business)
Federalist #10- James Madison, argues that the geographical size of the US is
significant  first one of this size, will prevent one faction from dominating
another because there are too many factions
Judiciary Act of 1789 – Judiciary branch promised in Constitution but not
explained, Act establishes the format of the supreme court and the blueprint for
the federal court system, John Jay becomes first supreme justice.
Population Statistics (Urban vs. Rural)-
Bill of Rights- Written mostly by James Madison as a promise to the anti-
federalists to protect the individual rights of the citizen, includes things like first
amendment rights (speech, press, religion, peaceful assembly)
Hamilton's financial plans- Funding at the par: soldiers were paid in IOUs
because the articles lacked the funds to pay the,, soldiers never get paid so they
begin to trade notes like currency, Hamilton proposes to pay these at face value
to the current holder, others argued the $$$ should go to the original holder
because they earned it, help get rid of debt. Assumption: combine the federal
debt with the debt of each of the states (mostly procured in the revolution) and
make it federal responsibility, states like Virginia who had already paid off debt
hated it because they would now have to help pay off other states’ debt,
Hamilton viewed debt as a national blessing/way to establish credit
Report on the Public Credit- Don’t sweat the debt, just pay the interest, we
can make debt work for America if we establish a national bank to handle
bills/taxes/regulation of economy, bring money in by taxing whiskey
Report on the Manufactures- Hamilton’s vision for country was industrial,
should be focused on industry, banking, and commerce, should be similar to
Britain and clustered around small cities, infant industry needs protection from
British products so a protective tariff should be imposed, grow American
business  grow American economy
Debate over the National Bank- Hamilton the anglophile loved the Bank of
Britain in that it allowed them to become a military/economic power, wanted to
fashion US bank after Britain, public doesn’t understand why we should become
like british if we just got out from underneath them, Hamilton says bank should
be a private institution and sell stock in it, Jefferson says its not constitutional
because the Constitution doesn’t say Congress can, wants to combat tyranny,
argument based on implied vs. delegated powers (see below)
Implied vs Delegated Powers- Hamilton says if the constitution doesn’t prohibit
it, it allows it because the power is implied, Jefferson says if it’s not specifically
delegated to Congress, it can’t happen,
Loose Construction vs. Strict Construction- Jefferson’s view of Constitution vs.
Hamilton’s view, Jefferson says if the constitution doesn’t say it’s ok then it
can’t happen, Hamilton says if it’s not prohibited, it’s allowed, becomes a
problem for Jefferson in the Louisiana Purchase
Whiskey Rebellion- Average American drank 7 gallons of Whiskey per year,
whiskey was used as currency on the frontier because it was plentiful and money
was scarce, converting corn into Whiskey was easy and inexpensive, Scots-Irish
brought tradition with them when they immigrated, Hamilton imposes excise
tax, Scots-Irish rebel because they were taxing a necessity, invoke the sentiment
of the Stamp Act Riots, link to shay’s rebellion, to put down rebellion:
Washington leads 13,000 troops to prove that the new government (Constitution)
is strong
Neutrality Proclamation- 1793, Washington recognizes that America is not ready
to be involved in the Franco-British conflict (even though they were technically
bound by the Alliance of Eternal Friendship), we have no army and no navy so
how could we help? Washington says maybe in 20 years we’ll be ready, we’ll still
sell to both but we’re neutral in action, angers Citizen Genet
Jay's Treaty- Negotiated by John Jay, American people angered because it
seemed like cutting a deal with British when they owed us for a lot, said they
would remove forts on the Ohio if we paid back loyalists (British sold weapons to
Indians and provoked them to attack frontiersmen)
Pinckney's Treaty- Opens Mississippi river for American to sell goods, Spain had
recently closed it cutting off American farmers from transporting goods
Farewell Address – Washington set yet another precedent (also served 2 terms),
advises government to be wary of three things: 1) avoid permanent military
alliances, trade is ok and beneficial, 2) avoid partisanship, party rivalry will
damage the union, 3) Isolationism = good, Atlantic ocean is a great buffer,
allows us to keep to ourselves without getting involved in European conflict,
then goes home to mount Vernon

How did Washington (and the other Founding Bros) feel about "factions" – Bad
for the nation, beneath them to compete, could tear the nation apart

Quasi War- Fought with France under John Adams, lasted 2.5 years, in response
to French treatment of American ships, we plunder French shipping and take
over 80 ships, there was shooting but war was undeclared
Alien and Sedition Acts- Alien: increased citizenship requirements from 5 years
to 14 years before one could become a citizen and vote, purely political move
based on fear, tell Americans it’s for protection but it was because the increase
in aliens in the country was tipping the scale in favor of the Democratic
Republicans because they were mostly poor farmers/frontiersmen. Sedition:
Sedition definition: plotting to overthrow the government makes it illegal to say
bad things against the government, critics of government get thrown in jail,
mainly aimed at newspaper, violation of first ammendment
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions- Written by Jefferson, goal was to condemn
sedition and alien acts, Kentucky resolution included compact theory: states
came together to form the government therefore a contract existed;
nullification theory said that if this government was not holding up its end of the
contract then the states can come together to nullify the laws they don’t like,
Yeoman Farmer- Jefferson’s main support base, the average joe
XYZ Affair- France and Britain at war again during the Napoleonic era, both
were harassing American shipping by taking the ships and the cargo, violates
Washington’s neutrality proclamation, British use impressments, Adams sends 3
agents (X, Y, and Z) to talk to Tallyrand who wants a $250,000 bribe just for
meeting, “Millions for defense, not a penny for tribute!”, Adams praised for not
paying, Adams secures funding for a navy
Federalists vs Democratic Republicans- Federalists: Thouse who own the
country ought to govern it, national debt can be a blessing, strong central
government, first amendment not all that important if it conflicts with unity of
nation, loose construction, build up American industry, build up navy, mob can’t
be trusted. Democratic Republicans: informed masses can decide for
themselves, want to see the spread of democracy, national debt a ccurse,
commerce with all nations but alliance with none, weak central government to
preserve the power of the people/state, freedom of speech, nullification, dream
of an agrarian America, equality, let by Jefferson, strict constructionists
Election of 1800- Adams v Jefferson (vs Aaron Burr), hundreds campaigned for
each candidate, none win a majority and goes to the house for the first time in
history, Hamilton supports Jefferson because he fears what will happen to the
union if Burr is elected, Hamilton sways the vote in the House
Revolution of 1800- First peaceful transfer of power ever, federalists vacate
post of power though most feared they wouldn’t, whole new ball game because
Jefferson tried to be opposite of Adams

Jefferson's Views of America- should be more in touch with American people,

fires a lot of federalists so the cabinet can start fresh, wants to restore
republican values, government has gotten too big, wants to cut the navy, didn’t
want any debt

Jefferson's Actions as President- informal attitude and dress, also had sloppy
appearance, reduces national debt using $$$ saved by cutting the navy down,
let’s Hamilton’s Whiskey tax expire, left Bank of the US alone because it
worked, fired former cabinet member who were federalist b/c America was
unhappy so they need change!

"The Duel" and Burr's post-duel Shenanigans-

Judicial Review – Marbury v Madison, affirmed the Supreme Court’s authority to
determine the constitutionality of acts of government, theoretically already had
it but it was never used until now

The Marshall Court (General Tendencies)- favors federal power over state
power every time, affirms federal power, makes the supreme court an equal
player in the three branch system
Marbury v. Madison- Judicial review, William Marbury was a Justice of the
Peace appointed by John Adams as one of the midnight judges, James Madison
shelved Marbury’s claims to the position (doubted its legitness), Supreme Court
declares this unconstitution, AN ACT OF CONGRESS
Barbary Coast Pirates- In the Mediterranean, used the Straight of Gibraltar to
attack trade ships coming in, as colonists, the British would have protected us
against pirates (benefit of mercantilism), w/out the British we were vulnerable,
captured sailors were often sold into slavery in Africa (irony), George
Washington and John Adams both paid off the pirates/made treaties to keep our
sailors safe, cheaper to pay tribute than for defense, Jefferson declares war,
lasts 4 years, Jeff learns in the end that war is expensive, we didn’t actually get
anything, we defeated them later post-Ghent
Louisiana Purchase- Napoleon has visions of world domination in order to
reclaim French dignity, Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans so farmers don’t
get shut out of the Mississippi again, offered $10 million for New Orleans, Nap
wanted to put down revolts in Haiti but gets defeated by mosquitoes and yellow
fever, Nap willing to sell all of Louisiana plus additional land for $15 million,
Jefferson accepts but faces dilemma: the constitution does not explicitly permit
the president to add large areas of land to the country but Jeff knows it’s what’s
best for the country (but he’s a strict constructionist!)
Lewis and Clark- scientific expedition to explore Louisiana, study flora, natives,
maps, travel down Missouri/Mississippi, want to get to Pacific, gone for 2 years,
led by Sacajewea, brought back highly scientific information
Impressment- British naval ships would stop American ships and search the
cargo, claimed the sailors were deserters of the Royal Navy and kidnapped
them, RA used very brutal discipline, established in the British Orders on Council
in 1806
Embargo Act- 1807, shut down all American trade in response to British Orders
on Council, will not trade anything with anyone in the world, hits New England
the hardest (where economy was built on trade) but barely affected Britian,
Jefferson believed that if everyone in the world practiced free trade-there’s be
no war, thought we could bring British to their knees but we couldn’t, “O grab
me”, “Dambargo”, leads to Non-Intercouse Act and Macon’s Bill No. 2, Napoleon
jumps on Macon’s but doesn’t mean it

*Tough Vocab: What is a frigate?