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