Unit 2: Building a New Nation Brief Summary/Insight:
"Building a New Nation" gives insight to the different political, social, and economic difficulties the United States faced as they moved forward to defining their nation. It describes the different laws, rebellions, taxes, controversies, and issues everyone faced and helps give the reader a better understanding on America as it progressed over time.
Timeline
"Trigger Words"
3/5 Compromise - The Founding Fathers agreed that three-fifths of all slaves should be counted for purposes of both deciding a state's obligation for a direct federal tax, and for determining its population for representation in the House of Representatives.
Alien & Sedition Acts - In 1798 the Federalist Congress passed the four acts collectively known as the Alien and Sedition Acts to attack the Republican party and suppress dissent against Federalist policies. The Acts curtailed freedom of speech and the liberty of foreigners resident in the United States.
American System - Intended to protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition, the American System was the brainchild of Kentucky Congressman Henry Clay. It involved a political trade-off: In return for eastern support for federal aid to railroad and canal construction, the West would back protective tariffs. This arrangement would stimulate manufacturing and a demand for raw materials, and increase the market for manufactured goods.
Articles of Confederation - The Articles (ratified in 1781) were the United States' first constitution. They sharply limited central authority by denying the national government any coercive power including the power to tax and to regulate trade. The articles set up the loose confederation of states that comprised the first national government from 1781 to 1788.
Era of Good Feelings - The Era of Good Feeling lasted from 1817 to 1823 in which the disappearance of the Federalists enabled the Republicans to govern in a spirit of seemingly nonpartisan harmony.
Embargo Act - The 1807 Embargo Act was provoked by the "Chesapeake" incident and prohibited all exports from U.S. ports. President Jefferson hoped to pressure Britain and France into recognizing neutral rights, but the embargo damaged the economy and was bitterly resented, especially in New England.
Land Ordinance - The Ordinance of 1785 provided for the surveying and selling of America's western territories; it created the grid system of surveys by which all subsequent public land was made available for sale. It favored speculative land development companies, but it promoted nationalism.
Louisiana Purchase - In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleonic France for $15 million. The purchase secured U.S. control of the Mississippi River and nearly doubled the size of the nation.
Marbury v. Madison - In 1803 the Supreme Court ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional. The "Marbury v. Madison" case established the precedent for judicial review of federal laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland - In "McCulloch v. Maryland" (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that the second Bank of the United States was constitutional, thus affirming the doctrine of implied powers. The case also determined that "the power to tax involves the power to destroy," thus state governments could not tax a federal agency like the Bank.
Missouri Compromise - In 1820, after angry debate in Congress, Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, and Maine was admitted as a free state to preserve the balance of slave and free states in the Union. Also, slavery was banned from that part of the Louisiana Territory north of 36° 30'.
Northwest Ordinance - The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established governments in America's northwestern territories, established a procedure for their admission to statehood, and prohibited slavery north of the Ohio River. This legislation passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation provided the model for the incorporation of future territories into the Union as coequal states.
Revolution 1800 - A landmark event because it allowed for the Democratic-Republicans to gain power from the Federalists in a peaceful manner. This saw the exchange of power from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson and many saw this as the workings of a true Republic.
Shay’s Rebellion - Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill, led an armed rebellion of western Massachusetts farmers to prevent state courts from foreclosing on debtors unable to pay their taxes. The rebellion convinced nationalists that to suppress or inhibit such rebellions, the nation needed a stronger national government.
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions - Created against the Alien and Sedition Acts, basically stating how the federal government couldn't excercise power that wasn't specified in the constitution.
War of 1812 - The United States and Britain fought this war from June 1812 to January 1815 largely over British restrictions on American shipping.
Whiskey Rebellion - Western Pennsylvania farmers violently resisted paying the whiskey tax imposed by Hamilton's financial program. In 1794 they threatened to destroy Pittsburgh. Washington and Hamilton marshaled the full force of the army to suppress the rebellion, but the rebels had dispersed by the time the army arrived.
Alien & Sedition Acts - In 1798 the Federalist Congress passed the four acts collectively known as the Alien and Sedition Acts to attack the Republican party and suppress dissent against Federalist policies. The Acts curtailed freedom of speech and the liberty of foreigners resident in the United States.
American System - Intended to protect domestic manufacturers from foreign competition, the American System was the brainchild of Kentucky Congressman Henry Clay. It involved a political trade-off: In return for eastern support for federal aid to railroad and canal construction, the West would back protective tariffs. This arrangement would stimulate manufacturing and a demand for raw materials, and increase the market for manufactured goods.
Articles of Confederation - The Articles (ratified in 1781) were the United States' first constitution. They sharply limited central authority by denying the national government any coercive power including the power to tax and to regulate trade. The articles set up the loose confederation of states that comprised the first national government from 1781 to 1788.
Era of Good Feelings - The Era of Good Feeling lasted from 1817 to 1823 in which the disappearance of the Federalists enabled the Republicans to govern in a spirit of seemingly nonpartisan harmony.
Embargo Act - The 1807 Embargo Act was provoked by the "Chesapeake" incident and prohibited all exports from U.S. ports. President Jefferson hoped to pressure Britain and France into recognizing neutral rights, but the embargo damaged the economy and was bitterly resented, especially in New England.
Land Ordinance - The Ordinance of 1785 provided for the surveying and selling of America's western territories; it created the grid system of surveys by which all subsequent public land was made available for sale. It favored speculative land development companies, but it promoted nationalism.
Louisiana Purchase - In 1803 the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from Napoleonic France for $15 million. The purchase secured U.S. control of the Mississippi River and nearly doubled the size of the nation.
Marbury v. Madison - In 1803 the Supreme Court ruled the Judiciary Act of 1789 unconstitutional. The "Marbury v. Madison" case established the precedent for judicial review of federal laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland - In "McCulloch v. Maryland" (1819), the Supreme Court ruled that the second Bank of the United States was constitutional, thus affirming the doctrine of implied powers. The case also determined that "the power to tax involves the power to destroy," thus state governments could not tax a federal agency like the Bank.
Missouri Compromise - In 1820, after angry debate in Congress, Missouri entered the Union as a slave state, and Maine was admitted as a free state to preserve the balance of slave and free states in the Union. Also, slavery was banned from that part of the Louisiana Territory north of 36° 30'.
Northwest Ordinance - The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 established governments in America's northwestern territories, established a procedure for their admission to statehood, and prohibited slavery north of the Ohio River. This legislation passed by Congress under the Articles of Confederation provided the model for the incorporation of future territories into the Union as coequal states.
Revolution 1800 - A landmark event because it allowed for the Democratic-Republicans to gain power from the Federalists in a peaceful manner. This saw the exchange of power from John Adams to Thomas Jefferson and many saw this as the workings of a true Republic.
Shay’s Rebellion - Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Battle of Bunker Hill, led an armed rebellion of western Massachusetts farmers to prevent state courts from foreclosing on debtors unable to pay their taxes. The rebellion convinced nationalists that to suppress or inhibit such rebellions, the nation needed a stronger national government.
Virginia & Kentucky Resolutions - Created against the Alien and Sedition Acts, basically stating how the federal government couldn't excercise power that wasn't specified in the constitution.
War of 1812 - The United States and Britain fought this war from June 1812 to January 1815 largely over British restrictions on American shipping.
Whiskey Rebellion - Western Pennsylvania farmers violently resisted paying the whiskey tax imposed by Hamilton's financial program. In 1794 they threatened to destroy Pittsburgh. Washington and Hamilton marshaled the full force of the army to suppress the rebellion, but the rebels had dispersed by the time the army arrived.
Primary Sources
Title: The 3/5 Compromise
Link: http://www.historyiscentral.org/HSI/case4C/Three%20Fifths%20Placard.pdf
Summary: Talks about the significance of the 3/5 compromise and the controversey over slaves in the United States. The South basically refused to continue to be part of the U.S if they weren't allowed to buy, sell, or own slaves, while the Northern states argued that it'd give southern states an unfair advantage in regards to the number of representatives they had in the House of Representatives. Also, the North argued that slaves shouldn't count as people if they had no rights, but they agreed to let slaves count as 3/5 of a person to help keep the South as part of the United States.
Significance: Helps give insight to the 3/5 compromise and shows how the states back then decided to count people as part of their population. Made it easy to remember and understand, and that's awesome because it is/was an important topic of the chapter.
By: Jen Bubb ;D<33
Link: http://www.historyiscentral.org/HSI/case4C/Three%20Fifths%20Placard.pdf
Summary: Talks about the significance of the 3/5 compromise and the controversey over slaves in the United States. The South basically refused to continue to be part of the U.S if they weren't allowed to buy, sell, or own slaves, while the Northern states argued that it'd give southern states an unfair advantage in regards to the number of representatives they had in the House of Representatives. Also, the North argued that slaves shouldn't count as people if they had no rights, but they agreed to let slaves count as 3/5 of a person to help keep the South as part of the United States.
Significance: Helps give insight to the 3/5 compromise and shows how the states back then decided to count people as part of their population. Made it easy to remember and understand, and that's awesome because it is/was an important topic of the chapter.
By: Jen Bubb ;D<33
Title: The War of 1812
Link: http://www.historycentral.com/1812/Index.html
Summary: The war of 1812 was a war mainly between America and Britain. The war ended in a stalemate which is also known as a tie that resets your entire progress. Both America and Britain endeavored tactics and strategies to weaken each other. While America's strategy of capturing Canada failed, it was still able to cease the British army.
Significance: This source is significant because it displays the progress that America has achieved ever since they gained their independence from Britain centuries ago. America is now similar or even superior than the their mighty mother country, Britain. Britain, being the queen of all naval battles, is challenged by their "little" America.
By: Sebastian T.
Link: http://www.historycentral.com/1812/Index.html
Summary: The war of 1812 was a war mainly between America and Britain. The war ended in a stalemate which is also known as a tie that resets your entire progress. Both America and Britain endeavored tactics and strategies to weaken each other. While America's strategy of capturing Canada failed, it was still able to cease the British army.
Significance: This source is significant because it displays the progress that America has achieved ever since they gained their independence from Britain centuries ago. America is now similar or even superior than the their mighty mother country, Britain. Britain, being the queen of all naval battles, is challenged by their "little" America.
By: Sebastian T.
Title: Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
Link: http://www.barefootsworld.net/aoc1777.html
Summary: This primary source documents the actions taken and ideas documented by members of Congress during and after the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. It records all the Congressional meetings from 1776 to the Declaration in 1789.
Significance: This source is significant to any reader interested in colonial America because it addresses all the problems and concerns by its drafters. It helps anyone understand the workings of the beginning of a Democratic state, and how members such as Adams or Jefferson shaped ideas of government still in work to this day.
By: Diana D.
Link: http://www.barefootsworld.net/aoc1777.html
Summary: This primary source documents the actions taken and ideas documented by members of Congress during and after the drafting of the Articles of Confederation. It records all the Congressional meetings from 1776 to the Declaration in 1789.
Significance: This source is significant to any reader interested in colonial America because it addresses all the problems and concerns by its drafters. It helps anyone understand the workings of the beginning of a Democratic state, and how members such as Adams or Jefferson shaped ideas of government still in work to this day.
By: Diana D.
Title: Virginia Resolution - Alien and Sedition Acts
Link: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/virres.asp
Summary: The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in order to affirm the power of the Federalists. This document emphasizes how the general people of Virginia wish to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts. They see the acts as being unconstitutional. Due to the overwhelming beliefs of most of the people in the state of Virginia, as well as those in other states, they wish to be able to send their problems with the Acts to the legislation, and be heard.
Significance: This document emphasizes the power of the beliefs of the people in the state of Virginia, as well as the other colonies/states. In order to correct a fault with the government, despite the apparent power of the central government, the people in the states will unite in order to reverse the actions of it. They will not settle for injustice.
By: Lisa C.
Link: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/virres.asp
Summary: The Alien and Sedition Acts were passed in order to affirm the power of the Federalists. This document emphasizes how the general people of Virginia wish to repeal the Alien and Sedition Acts. They see the acts as being unconstitutional. Due to the overwhelming beliefs of most of the people in the state of Virginia, as well as those in other states, they wish to be able to send their problems with the Acts to the legislation, and be heard.
Significance: This document emphasizes the power of the beliefs of the people in the state of Virginia, as well as the other colonies/states. In order to correct a fault with the government, despite the apparent power of the central government, the people in the states will unite in order to reverse the actions of it. They will not settle for injustice.
By: Lisa C.
4 Worlds:
Political*Monroe Doctrine called for the stopping of European expansion in the Americas
*2/3 of states, or 2/3 of Congress had to agree to approve amendments *Washington was sworn in as the first president by the Electoral College *Continental Congress drafts the Articles of Confederation in 1776 *Madison created the Bill of Rights |
Economic*Hamilton wanted to rid states of war debts through tariffs
*Whiskey Rebellion started over outrage from taxes placed on alcohol *Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury *Hamilton wanted the bank to be a private institution, like the Bank of England *Britain placed restrictions on American trade, especially those in the British East Indies |
Social* Controversies over slavery and the slaves role in society, leading to the political 3/5 compromise
* Federalists vs. antifederalists * Women and kids still not superior to white male landowners * Rebellions throughout the time period * The role of politics greatly effected society and the roles of people in it |
Cultural* Creation of political parties (Federalists and Democratic-Republic)
* American nationalism (own identity, separate from British) * Figures of authority put into place, colonists more aware of where power lies * Disagreements between the legalization and abolishing of slavery |