Unit 5: Manifest Destiny/Sectionalism/Reconstruction Flashcards
Manifest Destiny
1800s belief that Americans had the right to spread across the continent. Inspired Westward Expansion
54’40’ or Fight
Slogan used to gain support to get the full land of the Oregon territory from Britain. It didn’t work
Annexation of Texas
US Citizens moved into Texas, but rebelled against the Mexican government when they wouldn’t allow slavery
Mexican-American War
Conflict between Mexico and the US. Considered the first “unnecessary” war. The US won and gained much of the southwestern United States
Gadsden Purchase
Additional purchase that “cleaned up” the borders of land acquired from Guadalupe Hidalgo
Wilmot Proviso
Senate bill that thought the Mex-Am. War lands should ban slavery. Never passes
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty following the end of the Mexican American war that gave the US land in NM, NV, CO, TX, CA, AZ, UT
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
Decision to determine the Free vs. Slave status of Kansas and Nebraska by Popular Sovereignty. Overturned the compromise of 1820
Popular Sovereignty
“Majority Rules”. The concept that power is held by the popular decision in an area
Bleeding Kansas
The conflict that arose in the wake of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Popular Sovereignty caused bloody battles between Pro and Anti slavery advocates
Dred Scott V. Sandford
When an enslaved man was taken to a free territory he attempted to sue for his freedom. The court ruled against him and stated that, since slaves are property, there’s nothing the federal government can do anywhere in the country
Harper’s Ferry
Raid by John Brown in an attempt to start a slave rebellion in W. Virginia
Compromise of 1850
(1) California admitted as free state, (2) territorial status and popular sovereignty of Utah and New Mexico, (3) resolution of Texas-New Mexico boundaries, (4) federal assumption of Texas debt, (5) slave trade abolished in DC, and (6) new fugitive slave law; advocated by Henry Clay and Stephen A. Douglas
Fugitive Slave Act
A law that made it a crime to help runaway slaves; allowed for the arrest of escaped slaves in areas where slavery was illegal and required their return to slaveholders
Gag Rule (1836-1846)
Banned any discussion of slavery in Congress
Southern Economy
Focus on Cash Crops and Slave Labor. Almost no Industrialization
Northern Economy
Manufacturing and trade. Many cities with factories.
Confederacy
Group of Southern states that fought against the North in support of slavery
Emancipation Proclamation
Document written by Lincoln that freed all slaves in areas “in rebellion” against the US
Habeas Corpus
If you’re arrested they have to tell you why. Suspended during the Civil War by Lincoln
Border States
States that supported slavery but didn’t secede from the Union. Important buffer for the North
Union
Northern states that fought the Confederacy. Originally just bc they were in rebellion, but eventually they fought to end slavery
Battle of Gettysburg
Key turning point in the Civil War
Appomattox Court House
Location of the Confederate surrender
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery in the United States
14th Amendment
States that all those born in America are by default US citizens and receive all rights guaranteed
15th Amendment
The right to vote can not be taken away by “Race, Color, or Previous condition” (gender still works though)
10% Plan
Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction. 10% of a Confederate State’s population would swear a loyalty oath to be readmitted
Radical Republicans
A group that believed the South should be harshly punished and thought the federal government should do more to help out with Reconstruction
Jim Crow Laws/Black Codes
Laws intended to keep blacks segregated and treated poorly after the Civil War. Included provisions to make separate drinking fountains, schools, restaurants, etc.
Freedmen’s Bureau
1865 - Agency set up to aid former slaves in adjusting themselves to freedom. It furnished food and clothing and helped them get jobs
Sharecropping
A system used on southern farms after the Civil War in which farmers worked land owned by someone else in return for a small portion of the crops.
Segregation
Separation of people based on racial, ethnic, or other differences
Andrew Johnson
17th President of the United States. Took over after Lincoln’s assassination. Extremely unpopular due to his opinions on reconstruction. Impeached but avoided conviction by one vote
Wade-Davis Bill
Harsher plan for Reconstruction. Required 50% of “loyal” southerners to sign an oath of allegiance.
Ku-Klux-Klan
Gang of former confederates who used intimidation and terrorism to remove the rights of African Americans
Scallywags
Southerners who welcomed northerners to gain favor and political power
Carpetbaggers
Northerners who moved south to profit off of Reconstruction
Congressional Reconstruction
Reconstruction plan that split the south into multiple “Military Districts” that were overseen by Northern generals
Force Act
Allowed the use of military force against any who tried to limit the rights of African Americans
