James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson United States History from 1816 to the 1840s

The Monroe Doctrine The Monroe Doctrine sent two messages to Europeans. It re-asserted the fact that we would not involve ourselves with European affairs; but also, it insisted that European nations would not be allowed to intervene – or to claim new colonies – in the Western Hemisphere.

Andrew Jackson

Jackson rewarded political loyalty via patronage – “The Spoils System.”

Jackson sought to reform – indeed renounce – the financial systems of the federal government, including the 2nd National Bank.

Jackson sought to manage Indian affairs actively.

He sought to reform internal improvements and public land policy.

He believed, ultimately, in the supremacy of the Federal Government over the states and the right of taxation.

The Oregon CountryThe Oregon Country was claimed by at least five (5) groups:

Spain

Russia

The United States

England

Native Americans

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or “Mormons”

The Mexican Cession

Isolationism A policy of non involvement in world affairs.

Nations that practice isolationism are generally neutral. They do not engage in military expansionism.

Historically, nations that have been isolationist in nature include:

Japan, until the 1850s.

Switzerland

The United States? Well, at least with regards to Europe…

Imperialism Imperialism is a militant foreign policy based on

expansion.

When a larger, more powerful nation takes over, or controls the resources of a smaller, less powerful nation, it is following an imperialist foreign policy.

The United States as followed this policy in dealing with Native Americans, during the Mexican-American War, and with regards to the construction of the Panama Canal, for example.

James K. Polk Under James K. Polk, the United States took over every acre of land from the Atlantic to the Pacific, including:

California

The Oregon Territory

Texas

The Mexican Cession

His foreign policy was one of transparent imperialism, and it was uniquely successful in American history!

John Quincy Adams

Increase tariffs to protect industry and pay for national projects.

Promotion of internal improvements in agriculture, commerce, and manufacturing.

The support of the 2nd National Bank.

Federal monies to support the promotion of “the elegant arts” such as literature and science.

He is despised by the South for all of the above positions – and for being fervently anti-slavery.

Stephen F. Austin of Texas

James Monroe

Neutrality Not taking sides in international disputes is a

characteristic of Neutrality.

The United States, for example, tried to stay neutral during World War I – from 1914 to 1917. In the end, though, we were forced to join the war on the side of the Allied Powers. After 1917, we abandoned the policy of Neutrality, and started fighting against the Germans.