1. Unit 2 - Free Response Essay Questions
A.P. US History

2. The “Age of the Common Man”
# Andrew Jackson’s election as President marked the beginning of a new age in American political history. Assess the validity of this generalization.
1st Term
“Kitchen Cabinet”
The Spoils System
Indian Removal Act
Favored “Small Government” but Not Afraid to use the Power of the Presidency
Nullification Crisis
Tariff of 1828
Force Act 1832
2nd Term
The Bank Crisis
Panic of 1837
Emergence of the Whig Party
Election of 1836
Martin Van Buren hand picked successor
The “Age of the Common Man”
Expansion of voting rights to non property holders
Election of 1824
Jackson wins popular vote, losses electoral
Corrupt Bargain
Election of 1828
“Mudslinging”
Character Debate (Jackson v. J.Q. Adams)
Establishment of the Democratic Party

3. French Revolution 1789 & Napoleonic Wars 1789-1799 / 1800-1815
# Early U.S. foreign policy was primarily a defensive reaction to perceived or actual threats from Europe. Assess the validity of this generalization with reference to U.S. foreign policy on TWO major issues during the period from
French Revolution 1789 & Napoleonic Wars /
American Neutrality challenged (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison)
XYZ Affair / Alien & Sedition Acts
Creation of the American Navy (Adams)
Quasi War (1794)
Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Embargo Act 1807 & Non-Intercourse Acts 1808
The War of 1812
Impressment of American Ships & Sailors
Federalists Opposed War / Republicans Demanded War “War Hawks’
The War of 1812 Continued…
Tecumseh & Native American “Threat” in the West
1814 Washington Burns
Treaty of Ghent (Ended War, didn’t address impressment or trading rights)
Battle of New Orleans 1814
The Monroe Doctrine (1823)
Caused by successful revolutions in Latin America between
Written by J.Q. Adams but attributed to James Monroe
Stated that the Western Hemisphere (North / South America) was off limits to European colonization

4. # Although Americans perceived Manifest Destiny as a benevolent movement, it was in fact an aggressive imperialism pursued at the expense of others. Assess the validity of this statement with specific reference to American expansionism in the 1840’s.
Manifest Destiny = Americans had a God given right to the Western Territory to the Pacific Ocean
The Louisiana Purchase (1803)
Constitutionality of the purchase
Lewis & Clark Expedition
Missouri Compromise Line = Land for expansion of slavery
Indian Removal Act (1830)
All Native American tribes east of the Mississippi will be relocated
Worchester v. Georgia
Trail of Tears (1838)
The Texas Revolt (1836)
Land Grants (Emprasarios) for Catholicism / Citizenship in Mexico
Slavery brought into territory
Battle of the Alamo (1836)
Republic of Texas until 1845 when annexed by the United States
Oregon Country
“54 40 or Fight”= American northwestern border should be extended to the latitude deep in Canadian territory
Oregon Treaty 1846 = Signed with Great Britain / established a more reasonable border (Obtains OR, WA, ID, WY, MT)
The Mexican-American War ( )
Disputed border lines between Mexico (Nueces) and U.S. (Rio Grande)
U.S. / Mexican Army sent to guard the Rio Grande
Matamoros Skirmish – “American Blood… spilt on American Soil”
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Case of California

5. # 5 - Analyze the ways in which supporters of slavery in the nineteenth century used legal, religious, and economic arguments to defend the institution of slavery.
Southern Paternalism
Belief that slavery benefited everyone
Slaves could not care for themselves, therefore white owners had to be responsible for them
The Southern Economy
Centered on agriculture (Cotton & Tobacco)
75% of worlds cotton from American South (1850) = Global Impact
Transition from slave to free labor would not be worth the initial impact it would cast on the economy.
The “Religious” Argument
Biblical interpretation
Bible lacked a clear and concise admonition against slavery, the institution was surely deemed appropriate.
Precedence Argument = forced servitude was acceptable.
“Saving Souls” Through Christianity
Protection of “Property” under the Constitution
Slaves were considered property – Supreme Court Supports this idea with the “Dred Scott Decision”
Focusing their argument on the rights of slave-holders to transfer their "property" (in other words, their slaves), to the new territories,
Avoiding Civil War
Constitutional Convention 1787
Missouri Compromise 1821
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Compromise of 1850