Main Themes 1. How Americans expressed their cultural independence. 2. The impact of industrialism on the United States and its people. 3. The role that Thomas Jefferson played in shaping the American character. 4. How the American people and their political system responded to the nation's physical expansion. 5. How American ambitions and attitudes came into conflict with British policies and led to the War of 1812. 6. How Americans were able to "win" the war, and the peace that followed.
| Learning Objectives A thorough study of Chapter Seven should enable the student to understand: |
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Thomas Jefferson's views on education and the role of education in the concept of a "virtuous and enlightened citizenry." |
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The indications of American cultural nationalism that were beginning to emerge during the first two decades of the nineteenth century. |
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The effects of the Revolutionary era on religion, and the changing religious patterns that helped bring on the Second Great Awakening. |
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The evidence noticeable in the first two decades that the nation was not destined to remain the simple, agrarian republic envisioned by the Jeffersonians. |
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The political philosophy of Jefferson, and the extent to which he was able to adhere to his philosophy while president. |
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The Jeffersonian-Federalist struggle over the judiciary--its causes, the main points of conflict, and the importance of the outcome for the future of the nation. |
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President Jefferson's constitutional reservations concerning the Louisiana Purchase, and the significance of his decision to accept the bargain. |
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The reasons for President Jefferson's sponsorship of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the importance of that exploration. |
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The many problems involved in attempting to achieve an understanding of Aaron Burr and his "conspiracy." |
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What Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were attempting to accomplish by "peaceable coercion," and why their efforts were not successful. |
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The numerous explanations of the causes of the War of 1812, and why there is so much disagreement among historians. |
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The problems caused by Tecumseh's attempts at confederation and by the Spanish presence in Florida as Americans surged westward. |
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The state of the nation in 1812, and how the Madison administration waged war against the world's foremost naval power. |
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The extent of the opposition to the American war effort, and the ways in which the New England Federalists attempted to show their objections. |
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The ways in which the skill of the American peace commissioners and the international problems faced by England contributed to a satisfactory--for Americans--peace settlement. |
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The effects of the War of 1812 on banking, shipping, farming, industry, and transportation. |
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How the industrial revolution in the United States was largely a product of rapid changes in Great Britain and the impact this revolution had on American society. |