Chapter 11+12 notes Flashcards
Romantic movement
In the western world, believed that changes and growth were essential for life
What were important aspects of the romantic movement
Individualism, optimism, creativity, love of country
Transcendental movement
emphasized the unknowable and undefineable
Ralph Emerson
Leading Transcendentalist who left ministery to become an essayist and lecturer
What did he want people to d?
Look for inspiration in America
What couldn´t Emerson support because he was so individualistic
reform movements
Henry David Thoreau
Transcendentalist who was a teacher and believed government shouldnt govern people at all
What did Thoreau want to prove?
That people didnt have to depend on society for a satisfying existence
Where did Thoreau live by himself?
Walden Pond, criticized Americans not wanting to ¨leave the heard¨
What does Thoreau not do during the Mexican-American war and why?
Doesnt pay his Poll tax because it goes towards support for the war which he didn´t support
What did Whigs want?
National Bank, Protective Tariff, Federally funded internal improvements
Who was very against Tyler changing all of Harrisons actions as President?
Henry Clay
After Tyler vetoing Congresses bills, what did they do?
All except Daniel Webster resigned their post and quit
What did Clay want to do in the states?
Distribute money from sales
Distribution Act
provided for a system of distributing federal surpluses to state banks and restricting legal tender to gold and silver
When was the Distribution Act repealed?
1832
What act gained Tyler maor legislator success?
Preemption Act, legalized the rights of squatters by giving them first chance to buy the land they were on
What was Daniel Websters main reason for staying in the cabinet?
He wanted to settle a border dispute with England over Maine and New Brunswick
Webster-Ashburton Treaty
a treaty that resolved several border issues between the United States and the British North American colonies. Signed under John Tyler’s presidency
Why were many Americans moving to Mexico?
To grow cotton
Did Mexico have slavery banned?
Yes
What was the result of the fight at the Alamo?
Santa Anna killed all Americans
Who was in charge of the rebel army that defeated Santa Anna?
Sam Houston
Why did Britain like trading with independent Texas?
Texas had cotton with no tariff on it
What was John Tylers main goal of his presidency?
Texas annexation into the US
Who was Tylers Secretary of State and what did this mean?
Calhoun, northerners were alienated from political decisions
What did Northern politicians think about the annexation?
They thought it would bring on war with Mexico
The Senate refused to annex Texas, but what did?
A Joint Resolution
Polks president wants
Jacksonian, opposed high tariffs, didnt want a bank, wanted Texas
Which party helped Polk beat Henry Clay?
Liberty Party
What was Polk successful in doing?
lowered tariffs, restored independent treasury, gained more land, opposed federal internal movements
What was Polks negotiation with British about Oregon?
He told them he wanted all of Oregon ( 54/40 or fight) but he would accept the boundary at the 49th parallel
What was Britains response?
They refused but Polk threatened to break the joint occupation treaty
What did America start doing to Mexico?
Bullying =Mexico, which encouraged war
Did Mexico ever try to re conquer Texas?
No
Who was defending the Texas borde?
General Taylor
What River did Mexico claim?
Nueces
What river did USA claim?
Rio Grande
Why did Polk order his men to cross the Rio Grande?
Because it would start a war with Mexico
When did the war start decreasing in popularity?
When it moved south of the Rio Grande
Polks plan for the war:
Clear Mexicans from Texas, take possession of Mexico and California, and march on Mexico City
What territory did USA win in 1847?
Almost all territory north of Mexico City
Polk was nervous about how popular General Taylor was, so who did he appoint to be in charge of Mexico City?
Winfield Scott
Did Scott have Mexico City fallen quickly?
Yes
For the Treaty of Hidalgo, did Mexico accept the border of Texas as the Rio Grande?
Yes
How much did USA pay for New Mexico and California?
$15 million
Gag Rule
In Congress, the House of Representatives used the “gag rule” to prohibit discussions and debates of the anti-slavery petitions.
Wilmot Proviso
Slavery nor involuntary servitude could not exist in any territory acquired from Mexico
Who found the Proviso offensive
South
What couldnt the Proviso pass?
The Senate Compromise- Popular Sovereignty
Who did the Whigs nominate for the 1848 election?
Zachary Taylor
Who did the democrats nominate?
Lewis Cass (popular sovereginty)
What did Van Buren help create?
Free Soil Party which won a small percentage of the vote
Who won the election?
Zachary Taylor
Compromise of 1850
California would enter as a free state, slave trade would be abolished in the District of Columbia, increased the power of the Fugitive Slave Act
Who came up with this compromise?
Henry Clay
Did Taylor like this compromise?
No
Who took place and what did he do about the compromise?
Millard Fillmore, made the Compromise pass through Congress
Waltham System
employing young unmarried women to work in factories
Why did women work?
For economic and social reasons
How many hours did women work?
70
When women striked their factories, where did they go to work?
As clerks or teachers
What did factory owners do?
Used Irish immigrants for their machines
Middle Class women and Children
Had less kids which allowed for a disposable income and value of children
What were children now seen as?
Source of enjoyment
What was the South hardly affected by?
Urbanization, immigration, transportation, and industrialization
What state led the way in tobacco and wheat production?
Virginia
What increased crop production?
Crop rotation and fertilization
As the price of slaves rose,
North opposition grew and the South countered with slave revolts
Nat Turner Revolt
57 whites lost their lives before the revolt was stopped and Turner and his men were executed
Impact of Turner Revolt
South had no interest in stopping slavery annd made it more difficult for them
low wages and over crowding resulted in
population explosion in the cities which produced tenement houses
Commonwealth v. Hunt
established the legality of labor unions
Did labor unions have an easy time forming
no
Who was making more money and becoming self sufficient and who was reliant on middlemen?
Western farmers, the south
Who fell behind on railroad building?
South
When was Great Economic Prosperity?
1840-1850
Panic of 1857
Grain prices collapsed
Who didnt get effected by the panic and what did they think?
South, thought they were immune to economic difficulties and thought separation from the Union made sense
