History of the United States

Southern Society at 1860 Group Size Notes Large planters (1000 or more acres) Less than 1% of the total number of white families The wealthiest class in all of America, the large planters exercised social and political power far beyond their percentage of the population. Most owned 50 slaves or more. Planters (100-1000 acres) Perhaps 3% of white families Usually owned 20-49 slaves. Provided many political leaders and controlled much of the wealth of the South Small slaveholders About 20% of white families Owning fewer than 20 slaves, the small slaveholders were primarily farmers, though some were merchants in Southern towns. Nonslaveholding whites About 75% of white families Yeoman farmers. They owned their small pieces

Important Supreme Court Cases Marbury v. Madison: (1803) Judicial review ?In 1801, Justice William Marbury was to have received a commission from President Adams, but Secretary of State James Madison refused to issue the commission. Chief Justice Marshall stated that the Judiciary Act of 1789, which was the basis for Marbury?s claim, conflicted with Article III of the Constitution. Marbury did not receive the commission. This case determined that the Supreme Court and not the states would have the ultimate word on whether an issue was in violation of the Constitution. The ruling, based on judicial review, made the Judicial Branch equal to the other two branches of government.

Federalist Party vs. Democrat-Republicans Issue Federalists Demorat-Republicans Notes National vs. state governments Favored a strong central government with the power to control commerce, tax, declare war, and make treaties Sought to limit the role of the national government, favoring local control ? This issue, never finally settled until the Civil War, was the basic philosophical point of contention between the two parties. French Revolution Opposed the Revolution and opposed American support for the anti- monarchy group Supported the popular forces in the French Revolution and favored American assistance ? The debt of America to France for its assistance during the American Revolution is seen as due and unpaid by the D-Rs