AP+US+History+Review

=Ms. Lober - Social Studies = =The Charter School of Wilmington =

AP US History Review


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I. Hamiltonians vs. Jeffersonians
A. Hamilton's views--Man is irrational, corrupt, and guided by base instincts. 1) Sovereignty must rest with a strong central government insensitive to the popular will 2) Government's function is maintain order in a potentially chaotic society. It needs to be remote and secure from the people's emotional uprisings. B. Jefferson's views--man is rational, capable of self-improvement. 1) Government exists to protect man's natural rights to life, liberty, and happiness. 2) The greatest threat to man's freedom is tyrannical government. It needs to be limited in its powers and completely responsive to the needs and desires of the people. 3) State governments should have greater power because they are less likely to be despotic. II. Hamilton's Financial Plan A. Protective tariff to stimulate industry B. Willingness to assume debts of states C. Willingness to assume Confederation's debts D. Establishment of a national bank. Purposes: 1) Repository of national assets 2) Issue paper money based on assets 3) Source of investment capital E. Whiskey Excise Tax--burden fell on western farmers 1) Whiskey Rebellion (1794)--2000 armed men 2) Washington leads militia to put down revolt III. Jeffersonian Opposition to Hamilton's Plans A. Strict constructionist view--creation of U.S. Bank exceeded Congressional authority B. 10th Amendment forbids the national government exercising powers not delegated to it. C. Commercial and manufacturing interests favored over farming interests. IV. Foreign Problems A. French Revolution--Early sympathy and support turned to divisive feelings following Louis XVI's execution. 1) Democrat-Republicans were strongly pro-French and formed Republican clubs advocating war with England and Spain 2) Federalists viewed England as the defender of property rights against French anarchy. 3) Citizen Genet lands in pro-French South, begins building revolutionary armies to attack Spanish Florida and Louisiana, and outfits privateers to attack British shipping a) Washington sees Genet officially, but expresses America's intention of remaining neutral b) Internal divisions between Federalists and Democratic-Republican societies increased. B. Jay Treaty (1794) 1) Trouble with Great Britain arose over fur trading posts in the Northwest and interference with American shipping 2) Jay negotiated with British who agreed to: a) Abandon posts b) Limit seizures of American cargoes C. Pinckney Treaty (1795) gave Americans the right to navigate freely on the Mississippi River. D. XYZ Affair--French demands for a bribe before negotiating with Americans so angered citizens that they called for war. Congress armed privateers, commissioned an army, and ordered new ships built 1) Naval war with France raged for two years, with 90 French ships captured. 2) France agreed to American terms in the Convention of 1800. V. Fall of the Federalists A. Alien & Sedition Acts (1798) sought to lessen criticism of the Federalists 1) Alien Acts made it more difficult to become a citizen, provided for detention of aliens in time of war, and allowed the president to deport any alien 2) Sedition Act outlawed criticism of the government or the president (10 convictions obtained) 3) Jefferson and Madison wrote the Kentucky & Virginia Resolutions which stated right of states to disobey Congress if laws exceeded Constitutional authority. First statement of nullification. B. Jefferson's election in 1800 ended the reign of the Federalists. 1) Jefferson and Burr ended up with 73 electoral votes each 2) Hamilton cast his support to Jefferson, ending the tie 3) 12th Amendment allows for president and vice-president to run on the same ticket.

Controversial Issues in US History:
COLONIAL PERIOD: 1. Which settlement was most successful - Chesapeake or Plymouth? 2. Did the forces of economic unity or disunity dominate the colonial era? 3. Did the British or the colonials contribute more to causing the American Revolution? 4. Did the American Revolution actually bring about American independence? 5. Which is more democratic - the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution?

FEDERALISTS AND ANITFEDERALISTS: 1. What was the most important problem of the Washington administration? 2. Were the ideas of Jefferson or Hamilton more completely incorporated into the American government by 1800? by 1820? 3. Did Jefferson's presidency follow his political ideology? 4. Was the presidency of Washington or Jefferson more crucial to the formation of the US?

ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS AND JACKSON: 1. Did the decisions of the Supreme Court from 1800-1835 encourage democracy? 2. Did Jackson expand democracy during his presidency? 3. Which era held a more successful foreign policy - 1790-1820 or 1820-1840?

1840-1860:

1. Does this era demonstrate that 3rd political parties are effective alternatives for minority opinion dissatisfaction? 2. Are the forces of unity or disunity greater in this era? 3. Which had a greater impact - the 1st or 2nd Great Awakening? 4. Was slavery a positive good?

CIVIL WAR AND THE AFTERMATH: 1. Does the era provide evidence that political theorists create governments which will be to the advantage of themselves and their economic interests? 2. Is popular sovereignty a democratic theory? 3. Did Lincoln increase democracy while President? 4. Did the end of this era show that the problems which caused the Civil War were resolved? 5. Did democracy increase during the Reconstruction years?

URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: 1. Was the economic growth of the time caused by a partnership of big business and the government or by something else? 2. Did unions improve workers experiences? 3. Was this an economically successful era?

PROGRESSIVES: 1. Did the reforms solve the economic problems of the time? 2. Who was the more Progressive president - Roosevelt, Taft, or Wilson? 3. Was Theodore Roosevelt successful in his foreign policy? 4. Who was a more successful President - Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, or Wilson?

FOREIGN POLICY 1890-1920:

1. Did US foreign policy from 1860-1890 change from that of 1800-1850? 2. Which president was more crucial to the development of US foreign policy - Jefferson, Polk, McKinley, T. Roosevelt, or Wilson? 3. Was American imperialism a good or an evil?

THE NEW DEAL ERA: 1. Was the US more or less democratic because of the New Deal? 2. Was the New Deal a success? 3. Were the causes of the Great Depression eliminated by the New Deal? 4. Did FDR retain his political theories with the realities of political implementation?

ISOLATION VS INTERVENTION: 1. Was the US role in WWI and in the peace negotiations successful? 2. Was the US neutral until Pearl Harbor? 3. Did WWI or WWII have a greater impact on American civil liberties?

POSTWAR ERA: 1. Was Truman's foreign policy successful? 2. Was the Fair Deal an extension of the New Deal? 3. Which was the more successful reform era - Progressives or 1960-1980? 4. Was Nixon a successful President?