P5 Key Concepts Flashcards
Manifest Destiny
The belief that American westward expansion was a God-given right.
Oregon Fever
The mass-desire in Americans to migrate or Oregon after hearing about the good reviews from multiple sources.
Oregon Trail
The journey that thousands of Americans took to go to Oregon; many experienced sickness or death.
The Battle of Buena Vista
One of the last battles in the Mexican-American War, almost resulted in Mexican victory but they ultimately lost
“No Territory”
What the Whigs called for; declared that the U.S. shouldn’t seek territory from Mexico
Free-Soil Movement/Party
People against “Slave Power” or the notion of slaveholders having power over the USA.
The Gold Rush
Started when American migrants discovered gold in CA, led to mass migration to the territory.
Forty-niners
Americans that migrated to California in the search of gold; most were unsuccessful
Reservations
3-acre spaces that Congress forced First Nations tribes into
The Compromise of 1850
Proposed by Henry Clay; declared that the government would fund slave catchers and allow California into the Union as a Free State to keep the country together.
Fugitive Slave Act
Part of the Compromise of 1850; said that Northern states had to return escaped slaves to the South
The Mexican-American War
A war between Mexico and America over the California territory
Willmont Proviso
Proposed that all territory gained by the Mexican-American War will have a ban on slavery; didn’t pass
“Bleeding Kansas”
When violence between pro-slavery and abolitionists in Kansas.
The Dred Scott Case
When a slave argued for freedom after he was moved to a free territory. The Supreme Court ruled against him and said that the federal government had no right to take “property”.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Forced the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty when it came to if a state was a free or slave state.
Draft (conscription)
Created during Civil War, required existing soldiers to serve for the duration of the war and for men aged 18-35 to serve for at least 3 years.
Greenbacks
Paper money created during the Civil War and not backed by physical currency.
Why is the Battle of Gettysburg important?
Robert E. Lee’s attempt at invading the Union was thwarted.
Why is the Battle of Vicksburg important?
The Union gained control of the Mississippi River.
War Democrats
Democrats that called for the Union to keep fighting until the Civil War ends.
Peace Democrats
Democrats who called for peace negotiations with the Confederacy.
Habeas Corpus
Protected citizen from being arbitrarily arrested without trial.
Crittenden Compromise
Proposed to protect slavery in the Constitution and extend the 36 30’ line to California.
Confederate States of America
The Southern states that withdrew from the USA.
Anaconda Plan
Union strategy to control the waters the South used to cut them off from foreign aid.
Emancipation Proclamation of 1826
Declared that slaves in the rebel states (Confederacy) were free. Did not free the slaves in Missouri, Kentucky, or W. Virginia as they were not rebel states.
Ten-Percent Plan
Lincoln’s plan to set a low barrier for reentry into the Union for rebel states:
- 10% of the male population had to pledge loyalty to the Union.
- The state’s government had to ratify the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.
The Wade-Davis Agreement
Proposed by Congress; said that rebel states had to swear they never supported the Confederacy. Pocket-vetoed by Lincoln.
Post-war Black Codes
- Declared that Black people couldn’t own property.
- Criminalized Blacks if they weren’t working.
- Banned Blacks from testifying against Whites in court.
Radical Republicans
A group of Republicans that were extremely anti-slavery; passed pro-black legislature.
Freedman’s Bureau
Extended by Radical Republicans, supported newly freed black people in the South.
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Protected the citizenship rights of blacks in the South and gave them equal protection under the law.
13th Amendment
Banned slavery in American territory.
14th Amendment
Anyone born in the USA has American citizenship.
15th Amendment
Protects the voting rights of all regardless of color or previous status of servitude (only for men).
American Woman Suffrage Association
Led by Lucy Stone and Henry Blackwell. Wanted woman’s suffrage to take priority AFTER successful Reconstruction of the USA.
National Woman Suffrage Association
Led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Against the ratification of the 15th until it included women’s right to vote.
Election of 1868
Ulysses S. Grant wins the Presidential election
