Washington to Jackson -Jessica Pham

Jessica Pham
April 21, 2010

Washington to Jackson
5. How were the branches of the Federal Government strengthened during Jefferson’s Presidency?
- The Judiciary Act, passed by the Federalists in their last days of Congressional domination in 1801, packed newly created judgeships with
Federalist-backing men, so as to prolong their legacy
- Marbury v. Madison (1803): William Marbury had been one of the “midnight judges” appointed by John Adams in his last hours as president. He had been named justice of peace for D.C., but when Secretary of State James Madison decided to shelve the position, Marbury sued for its delivery. Marshall dismissed the case, but he said that the Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional, thus suggesting that the Supreme Court could determine the constitutionality of laws
- Jefferson finally decided to go through with the deal anyway, even though nothing in the Constitution talked about land purchases. Jefferson had been a strict interpreter of
the Constitution, but he was now using a loose interpretation. New Orleans and the land west of it, Louisiana, for a bargain of $15 million, thereby abandoning his dream of a French North American empire.
- The Embargo Act of late 1807 forbade the export of all goods from the United States to any foreign nation, regardless of whether they were transported in American or foreign ships
- Marshall, however, had a greater goal in mind. By overturning part of a congressional law, he established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review—the power to declare federal laws invalid if they violated the Constitution.

10. What led to the issuing of the Monroe Doctrine and what were its future consequences?
- Monroe Doctrine – non colonization and nonintervention
- Second War for Independence – fear that monarchy would take over New World again
- Britain was still in control of the seas
- Dedicated primarily to Russia in the West, Monroe said that no colonization in the Americas could happen anymore and also, European nations could not intervene in Latin American affairs.
- In return, the U.S. would not interfere in the Greek democratic revolt against Turkey.
- The monarchs of Europe were angered, but couldn’t do anything about it, since the British navy would be there to stop them, further frustrating them.
- Monroe’s declaration made little splash in Latin America, since those who knew of the message also recognized that it was the
- U.S. was doing this only to protect its own hide.
- Not until 1845 did President Polk revive it.
- The Monroe Doctrine might better be called the Self-Defense
Doctrine, since Monroe was concerned about the safety of his own
country, not Latin America.
- The doctrine has never been law, a pledge, or an agreement.
- It was mostly an expression of post-1812 U.S. nationalism, gave a
voice of patriotism, and added to the illusion of isolationism.
- Monroe had publicly warned the Old World powers to stay away.

15. What programs by John Quincy Adams were doomed to failure? Why?
- Construction of roads and canals – public reaction was prompt and unfavorable. Grubbing out stumps, astronomical observatories was a waste of public funds






Beginnings to Constitution
2. For what three reasons did Native Americans side with France during the French and Indian War?
- Fur trade
- rivalries for land and power
- protect their lands

7. In what ways did the colonists attempt to unite and/or share information?
- The colonies, in order to spread propaganda and keep the rebellious moods, set up Committees of Correspondence which was a network of letter-writers and forerunner of the Continental Congress; the first committee was started by Samuel Adams. They were key to keeping the revolution spirit rolling.
- The First Continental Congress
o In Philadelphia, from September 5th to October 26th, 1774, the First Continental Congress met to discuss problems.
o While not wanting independence yet, it did come up with a list of grievances, which were ignored in Parliament.
o 12 of the 13 colonies met, only Georgia didn’t have a representative there.
o Also, they came up with a Declaration of Rights.
- The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on May 10,
1775, with no real intention of independence, but merely a desire to
continue fighting in the hope that the king and Parliament would
consent to a redress of grievances.
o It sent another list of grievances to Parliament.
o It also adopted measures to raise money for an army and a navy.
o It also selected George Washington to command the army.
o In 1776, Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense, which
urged colonials to stop this war of inconsistency, stop pretending
loyalty, and just fight.
12. What documents were most influential during the Revolutionary War? What was the purpose of each?
- In 1776, Thomas Paine published the pamphlet Common Sense, which
urged colonials to stop this war of inconsistency, stop pretending
loyalty, and just fight. Nowhere in the universe did a smaller body control a larger one, so
Paine argued, saying it was unnatural for tiny Britain to control
gigantic America.
- On June 7, 1776, fiery Richard Henry Lee urged for complete independence, an idea that was finally adopted on July 2, 1776.
- To write such a statement, Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson,
already renown as a great writer, to concoct a Declaration of
Independence.
o He did so eloquently, coming up with a list of grievances against
King George III and persuasively explaining why the colonies had the
right to revolt. His “explanation” of independence also upheld the
“natural rights” of humankind (life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness).
- Source of inspiration to revolutionary movements against arbitrary authority.
17. What were the positions of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
- Federalists
o Favored strong federal government
o Enjoyed the support of commanding figures like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
o Controlled the press
- Anti-Federalists
o Opposed stronger federal government
o Feared that a central government would force them to pay off their debts
o Thought Constitution was a plot from the upper class to steal power from the common folk
o Believed the Constitution was drawn by the aristocratic elements and so it was antidemocratic
o Sovereignty of states and freedom of individuals were reduced and endangered with no bill of rights
o Condemned the dropping of annual election for congressional representatives, the erecting of a federal stronghold ten miles square, creation of army, omission of reference to God, and procedure of ratifying with only two-thirds of the states