Land Of The Free Flashcards
1
Q
When was the Louisiana purchase
A
1803
2
Q
What was the Louisiana purchase
A
- Jefferson wanted to buy New Orleans from France to allow Mississippi passage
- napoleon sold all Louisiana territory for 15 million dollars
- doubled the size of the USA and ended french presence
3
Q
When was the Lewis and Clark expedition
A
1804-1806
4
Q
What did the Lewis and Clark expedition achieve
A
Facts on animals, plants and Indian cultures.
Showed the possibility of overland travel to the Pacific.
Created great interest in west for potential settlement
5
Q
Who and when coined the phrase manifest destiny
A
John o Sullivan in 1845
6
Q
How many early migrants moved to the west from 1840 to 1860
A
300,000
7
Q
When was the gold rush
A
1849
8
Q
What was the gold rush
A
- largest sudden migration to California
- difficult migration, took 8/9 months by land
- boom towns sprung up overnight
- most early miners failed
9
Q
How long did the Oregon and California trails take to cross
A
6 to 10 months
10
Q
What were early migration trails like
A
Ox Drawj covered wagons across plains
Travelled in convoys
Suffered from lack of water, heat exhaustion, frostbite, disease, cholera, accidents and threat of Indian attack
11
Q
Why did the Republican Party emerge in the west
A
To develop the west for free white men with slogan off ‘free soil, free labour, free men’
12
Q
What was the Missouri compromise of 1820
A
Allowed Missouri to become a Slave state to keep US states evenly divided between free and slave
13
Q
When was the transcontinental railroad built
A
1862
14
Q
What did the transcontinental railroad do
A
- Pacific railroad act linked the central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads
- joined east and west of USA
- reduces journey time from 10 months to a week
- transformed movement of people and communication
15
Q
How were the western plains settled
A
- government encouraged railroad construction to market the west
- land offices establish and agents sent to the east and Europe
- homestead act 1862
- rise of cattle ranching
16
Q
What was the homestead act of 1862
A
Gave 160 acres of land to people for a small fee in order to cultivate
17
Q
What were the issues of western settlement
A
- initial flood of settlers unable to sustain themselves
- high cost of buying land and machinery
- drought years affected crops which were dependent on
- collapse of railroad shares led to railroad bankruptcy
- high prices of railroads with discounts given to the wealthy
18
Q
When was Jefferson president
A
1801 to 1809
19
Q
What was the civilisation act 1819
A
Encouraged the education of native Americans
Gave an annuity to stimulate the process
Native American boarding schools set up where they were taught English lit and forbidden from using own language
20
Q
What were the 5 civilised tribes
A
Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek and Seminole
21
Q
Which president after Jefferson didn’t believe in the civilisation and assimilation of native Americans
A
President Jackson
22
Q
When was the Indian removal act
A
1830
23
Q
What was the Indian removal act
A
Land in the east was exchanged for western land putting strong pressure on Indians to move. Cherokee tried to stop this act but were unsuccessful
24
Q
What was the trial of tears
A
Forced relocation from 1830 to 1850
25% mortality rate from disease and starvation
25
What was the impact of American arrival in the west on native Americans
Hunting disrupted by trains
Trains brought disease
Problems of Sioux expansion into their territory
Decline of the buffalo (main driving force of Indian hostility, US government wanted to reduce to control Indians, extinct by 1883)
26
When and what was the sand creek massacre
1864, US militia brutally murder Indians, mostly women and children
27
When do Indians retaliate for the sand creek massacre
1864-5
28
When and what was the battle of Little Bighorn
1876, Custer’s last stand, Indian victory where no white survived
29
What was life like for Indians on reservations
- has to abandon hunting to become farmers but land was too dry and they were unable to support their families
- some annuities given as payments for lands lost
- agents sent by government to protect Indians but often more interested in benefiting selves
- churches and schools destroyed their culture
30
What was the Dawes Severalty Act
1887
Divided up land on reservations and gave to individuals rather than tribes
To encourage agriculture and break up reservations
Eliminated Indians as cultural entity
31
When were all Indians granted citizenship
1924
32
What was the Indian reorganisation Act
1934, to help tribes regain their lands
33
What was the American dream of the west
Improvement of family security and independence with gold, land, wealth
Freedom from control of east and the constraints of society
National idea of manifest destiny
34
What was the reality of life in the west
Land wasn’t free for the taking, poorest couldn’t get
Gold only available to early arrivals if they were lucky
Wealth for some but not all
Lots of isolation especially for women
Failure for many, had to keep trying if they were to eventually succeed
35
What was life like on the western planes
Initially lived in dugouts as no trees for cabins
Sod houses made from strips of turf from ground
No wood for fuel
Windows were largest expense
New technology of the mechanical reaper transformed farms but was very expensive
Reliant on the railroad
Working an average of 68 hours per week
36
What was life like for women on the western plains
Difficult for single women to migrate, only teachers or prostitutes
Mass isolation with only a few families per square mile
Had no choice but to be self-reliable, no doctors nearby
Breakdown of gender roles with women having to work in fields and also do housework
Dangers of childbirth
300,000 ran own farm by 1900
37
What was the murder rate in the west from 1850-60
250 per 100,000
38
What was violence like on the western plains
Almost constant war fare with native Americans
Conflict over access to minerals/gold/water/land
Conflict between men with values of the western masculinity
Men dominated society with many carrying weapons
Principal crimes of drunkenness, disorderly conduct and prostitution
Role of sheriff and Texas rangers crucial to bringing order
39
What was the influence of the western image
Frontier hero’s to market the west
Role of film and literature
Image of west appealed to urban workers wanting to regain control of lives and take back masculinity
Showed the importance of hunting and guns as a social activity away from women
West became symbol of freedom and independence
40
Where did slavery originate
Developed in all British North American colonies in late 17th century
Abolished in the north post revolution
Slavery remained in south
41
When was the importation of slaves outlawed
1808, but some illegal trade remained
42
How many people were enslaved
4 million
43
What was life like from a slaves perspective
Regional variations (over 40% of Alabama and Florida’s population was slaves)
Plantation farming was not idyllic or peaceful, more like a labour camp
2.5 million in agriculture (cotton/tobacco etc)
Quarter million in industry and quarter in households
44
What were the number of slaveholders
1/4 of southern white households were slaveholders
Typical slaveholder owns less than 5
One in 40 owned over 50
45
What was family life like for slaves
The aspect of life that slaves had most control over
Some planters tried slave breeding to grow wealth after the restriction of slave importation
Slave marriage not legal but recognised by masters and community
Most slaves lived with families but risk of being split up if land is divided
Used as an element of control, threat
46
What was slave culture like
Religious Sunday’s at church, no other public meetings allowed
African dress and clothing influences
Own dialect created with a combo of African and English
Music culture, own rhythms
Creation of African-American culture
47
What were slave living conditions like
Fairly adequate diet, hunting/fishing/farming own gardens
Basic living conditions, some very cramped
Some had to work every day, some got sundays off
Harsh punishments (whipping/castration/mutilation)
48
What was slave resistance like
Very few rebellions, knew whites outnumbered them
Some fled from masters but had risk of being captured and most returned for their families
Could work slowly or damage equipment
Played into role of sambo character
49
How was slavery an economic system
Invention of cotton gin transformed slave economy (emerged as cash crop of the south, 75% exported abroad)
Cotton boom led to rising prices of cotton, slaves and land
Slaves also explored to build personal fortunes
50
What is the ‘narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass’ about
The road from slavery to freedom
Douglas born a slave on a plantation and watches the brutal treatment of slaves around him
Both into slavery and taught to believe hell never be free
Learns the power of education in Baltimore, that slaves exist because masters keep them ignorant
Sent to new master and the beatings almost break his spirit
Renewed desire for freedom and escapes
Believes he can’t be truly free until all slavery is abolished
51
What quotes in Frederick Douglass show the theme of slavery
“The white children could tell their ages. I could not tell why I ought to be deprived of the same privilege”
“To those songs I trace my first glimmering conception of the dehumanising character of slavery” (plea for help)
“Men and women, old and young, married and single, were ranked with horses, sheep and swine” (dehumanising)
52
What quotes in Fredrick Douglass show the theme of suffering
“It was a most terrible spectacle. I wish I could commit to paper the feelings with which I beheld it” (whipping of aunt)
Slaves taught to always saw that they’re being treated right in case of being heard by someone who will tell their master
53
What quotes in Frederick Douglass show the theme of education
“Learning would spoil the best nigger in the world”
“I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty - to wit, the white mans power to enslave the black man”
54
When was the civil war
1861
55
When were African Americans allowed to serve in the union army
1862
56
What was the emancipation proclamation
1863, freed slaves in confederate states, changed the focus of the civil war into ending slavery as a military objective
57
When was the 13th amendment passed
1865
58
What were the results of the civil war
13th amendment abolishing slavery
Over a million casualties
4 million skates freed
Lands and infrastructure destroyed meaning southern society needed to be rebuilt
59
What was Lincoln’s approach to reconstruction
Conservative, wanted revel states to be readmitted into the union with no punishment, and no rights for ex-slaves
60
What was the radical approach to reconstruction
Ex confederates to be punished with land confiscated and given to ex slaves
Black enfranchisement
Ex slaves promised 40 acres and a mule
61
What happened with the presidential reconstruction
Lincoln was assassinated 1865 and replaced by Andrew Johnson who also favoured the conservative approach
Radicals within the party turned against him
Johnson impeached after civil rights bill and the 1867 reconstruction act allowing military occultation
62
What happened with radical reconstruction
Ex confederate states were divided into 5 and occupied by the union army
They oversaw elections, protected ex slaves and barred high level ex confederates from voting
Republican Party flourished in south thanks to newly franchised ex slaves
63
What was the counter reconstruction response
Criminal justice system used to control ex slaves freedoms and backed this up with threats of violence
Black codes
KKK arrival in 1866 challenged reconstruction with guerrilla war fare
64
What impact did the black codes have on ex-slaves
Restricted ownership of land and freedom of movement
Enforced annual labour contracts
Legislation passed to enforce the codes
Led to massive increase in the black prison population
65
What was the progress of reconstruction freedoms
Physical - able to leave plantations
Political - active in Republican Party at local state and national level but restricted from voting
Economic - 40 acres and mule never happened, had to go back to plantations where there was a sharcropping system where they couldn’t leave until debt was paid
Education - schools built but common target for violence
66
How did reconstruction end
1876 election where republicans win but democrats claimed there was fraud
Compromise of 1877 where democrats offered republicans the victory if they withdrew from the south
White southerners back in control
14th and 15th amendments giving ex slaves the right to vote were nullified
Portrayed as a disaster
Little progress for the next 100 years
67
What was immigration like from 1890 to 1921
The period of most immigration intimately linked to industrialisation
Different immigrants had different experiences
Changing concepts of citizenship throughout period
68
What was the 1790 Naturalisation Act
Citizenship given to any white person that had been a resident for two years and was proven to be a good character
69
What was the 1802 naturalisation act
Citizenship given to a resident of 5 years that publicly proved they were dedicated to the values of the republic
70
What was ante-bellum immigration like
Idea of the American dream with political and religious freedom and economic opportunity
Cheap fares
Mostly from northern and Western Europe
Not arriving in mass numbers so not seen as a threat to American identity
71
What was the rise of nativism like
Movements to restrict immigration
| First movement in 1850’s focusing on anti Catholicism, with Protestantism seen as the democratic religion
72
What was post civil war immigration like
Increasing numbers from southern and Eastern Europe (darker skin so less likely to be Protestant)
Unease of the government and questions raised about how to integrate and ensure immigrants are trustworthy
73
What were the push factors for immigration
Religious, racial and political persecution
| Poverty
74
What were the pull factors for immigration
Economic opportunity
Values of liberty, equality and freedom
Often exaggerated articles, letters and adverts
75
What were immigrant conditions in the us like
Lived within ethnic conclaves
Awful cramped living conditions below subsistence level
No welfare/pension
Urban politics with democrats targeting immigrants, seen as electoral fraud
Poor working conditions
Trapped by wage slavery system
76
What were the changing immigration beliefs
Original melting pot theory that believed in the positive contribution of diversity
Then the racialisation of immigrants with the concept of citizenship being defined by race
Eugenics movement showing hierarchy of races
Divided N/W and S/E Europe
Warning that immigration of lower classes would lead to national suicide
Irish originally portrayed as black but gained admission to whites after racism
77
What were the immigration restrictions
Chinese exclusion act after Supreme Court ruled that Asians were not white
1917 introduced literary requirement
Outbreak of WW1 created belief of 100% Americanism
Emergency Quota Act 1921 restricted immigrants annually privileging those from northern and Western Europe
Immigration act 1924 out further restrictions and excluded the Japanese and Chinese
78
When was the first wave of Filipino immigrants
1934, a wave of young single and unskilled males
79
When was the second wave of Filipino immigrants
1934 to mid 60’s, with a quota system restricting immigration
80
What was life like for Filipino immigrants
Stoop labour jobs of picking crops
Viewed with hostility by Americans
Workers started to unionise in the 1930’s
First wave of immigrants worked hard but lived in poverty
Victims of xenophobia
81
Who wrote ‘Be American’
Carlos Bulosan
82
Why is immigration literature important
Shows the human cost of historical changes
Helps to understand the patterns of immigration
Under representation of immigrants, with a plane crash killing 28 Mexican workers in the process of being deported
83
What happens in ‘Be American’
Consorcio arrives in the US and wants to become a citizen straight away
Disheartened when he learns he has to wait 5 years
Plans to speed this up by educating himself on the country and government but can’t read
Enrolls in night school and writes for newspapers
Realises nobody else can make him American on paper so has to prove himself to be one
Achieves this by writing about “our country and our land” and defending the civil liberties and freedoms of all citizens
84
What was industrialisation like in America
Population pressures in the late 19th century with 3 cities having over a million people
American economy based on consumers
85
What was poverty like in America
Mass poverty throughout
Raised questions of liberty, not all experiencing it
1890’s financial panic caused unemployment and more economic problems
86
Why did Steven crane write “Maggie, A girl of the streets”
It was cranes own investigation into poverty
| Used as a social campaigning tool to oppose social Darwinism
87
What happens in “Maggie”
Maggie lived in poor conditions with drunk father and aggressive mother
Maggie initially immunise to corruption of poverty, remains hopeful and innocent
Seduced by Pete and cast out by family
Abandoned and can’t return home
Assumed Maggie becomes prostitute and dies
88
What does “Maggie” show about poverty
Maggie was doomed from the beginning because of the poverty she was born into
People coming to America believing in the American dream could end up in the gutter
Shows the poor living conditions of tenements
89
What was the impact of 9/11
3000 killed
Led to wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan
Cost between 3-4 trillion dollars
The belief that it was a ‘turning point in nations history’
90
What was the initial response of New York people after 9/11
Desire for peace
Majority didn’t want military action
Non white immigrants feared for their safety
91
What was the role of the media in 9/11
Constructed the main beliefs
24 hour coverage until the 15th
Americans watched tv to find meaning for events
Dominated by who did it, why, how to respond
Networks argued early on that retribution for the life loss was needed
Helped frame the argument for military action
92
What was the political response to 9/11
Surge of nationalism in support of bush jr
Defined by belief that everything changed
Bush stated that their enemies hated America because “they hate our freedoms”
Placing 9/11 in wider context of American history to justify military action (they attached the roots of the USA, freedom)
93
What were the arguments against the turning point belief
Told that 9/11 was a rupture in history, but was actually part of a larger transnational Islamist insurgency
US had already experienced Islamic terrorism
9/11 the product of larger part of American history, but Islamic insurgents were not just products of US foreign policy (soviet afghan relations too)
94
When had the US experienced Islamic terrorism before
1993 attack on north tower world trade centre
Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan, US supported bin laden
Jihad declared against the US in 1996
95
Who came up with the phrase Clash of Civilizations
Samuel P Huntington
96
What was the clash of civilisations belief
The prediction of constant warfare between the western and Islamic world
Used as justification for actions
Attached multiculturalism to protect American values
Battle between good Christians and evil Islamic totalitarians
Grows on sense of patriotism
Easier for citizens to accept that they were attached for who they are rather than the complex history
97
What was the US’s response to those questioning their imperial aims
They downplayed their economic interests and instead emphasised the power of republican ideology to bring peace to the Middle East
98
Describe US imperialism after 9/11
US believed it had a duty to modernise backward barbarian nations and this was the basis for the war on terror
America thought it was destined to save the world, similar to its wartime history
Became acceptable to talk about American empire, term homeland used
US imperialism into Iraq to being democracy
99
What was the impact of the USA patriot act
Increased power for national and international surveillance
Infinite detention of enemy combatants and immigrants without a trial
Act is passed because people are scared
Sparked outbursts of anti Islamic thought and actions, stereotyping those who looked Islamic
Attached by civil liberty groups for violating constitutional rights
Less free with surveillance so less democratic
100
What is the meaning of freedom
More than just an ideological statement
No fixed definition, new ideas changing throughout history
Different interpretations
Shaped by different groups of Americans
People challenging their place in American society
Relationship between individuals and the government
Not everyone has freedom with the constitution
101
What does it mean to have political freedom
The right to have free and unrestricted role in the governing of the country. Linked to rights of citizenship, no right to vote means you’re not an equal citizen
102
What does it mean to have religious freedom
The freedom to act in ways that conform to their religious and ethic beliefs without interference
103
What does it mean to have economic freedom
The right to own property. Land ownership used to be viewed as essential to freedom which women, slaves and indentured servants couldn’t achieve
104
How did the development of the frontier impact freedom (summary)
Essential to freedom and democracy
Land ownership gave Americans freedom
Expansion of west meant the expansion of American ideals
Impact of the manifest destiny
105
How did immigration in the north and reconstruction in the south impact freedom (summary)
Rapid expansion of population
Economic revolution
Immigrants challenged nature of national identity
Poor living conditions for those who could not be ‘Americanised’
106
How did lynching, segregation and disfranchisement impact freedom (summary)
Showed those unable to exert their ‘freedom’
Prisoners defined as slaves of the state (13th amendment ended slavery except for felons, so the way to taking away freedom was criminalising small offences)
107
How did 9/11 impact freedom (summary)
Linked war on terror with the defence of freedom
Patriot act took away freedoms
War on terror not just military, but ideological
America at war with itself over opposing definitions of freedom and the role of government
Continued to battle today for who is ‘American’
