Unit 5: Topic 5 - Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences Flashcards
What were the two largest immigrant groups during the mid-1800’s?
In the mid-1800s, more immigrants came to the United States from Germany and Ireland than any other country. They settled in cultural enclaves where they kept many of their customs, languages, and religion.
Some of these areas were slums with diseases and high unemployment. However, many Germans moved West to find land to farm rather than continuing to stay in the urban centers.
What were some common forms of nativism during the 1800’s?
While nativism is commonly associated with racism (ex: The Chinese Exclusion Act), Catholic immigrants were also often a target. A common belief among nativists was the idea of a Catholic conspiracy to take over the nation. Much of this was based on the idea that Catholics would be more loyal to the Pope than to the U.S. Government.
An example of non-religious nativism is the backlash against Mexicans, Californios, and Chinese people living in California. The primary motivation for this discrimination was competition for jobs and land use for mining and ranching.
What was the “Know-Nothing” party?
The Know-Nothing Party, later known as the American Party, was a nativist political group dedicated to limiting immigration and restricting political rights for new immigrants. The party attempted to stop new citizens from being eligible to vote and hold public office. They were mainly native-born Protestants and were primarily opposed to Catholic immigrants from Ireland and Germany.
They were called the Know-Nothings because when asked about their organization, they would reply, “I know nothing.”
What were some key differences between the Northern and Southern economy leading up to the Civil War?
Northern Economy
- Economy was based on manufacturing jobs in factories worked by wage laborers
- The Northern population and labor pool was growing rapidly, boosted by immigration
Southern Economy
- Economy was based on agricultural work performed by enslaved laborers on plantations
- Population was growing slower, with much less immigration
What were some of the tactics of the abolitionists before the Civil War?
Abolitionists published persuasive writings, works of literature, and newspapers. They delivered passionate speeches and sought to influence politicians both direct and indirectly. Some assisted runaway slaves through the Underground Railroad, and others even used violence to try to achieve their goals.
Who were some of the leading abolitionists in the period before the Civil War?
William Lloyd Garrison - published “The Liberator”, a leading anti-slavery magazine, and gave powerful speeches
Frederick Douglass - brilliant orator and author, published his autobiography detailing his experience as an escaped slave
Harriet Beecher Stowe - author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, a best-selling novel about the horrors of slavery
Harriet Tubman - famous “conductor” on the Underground Railroad who went on multiple trips to free slaves
John Brown - radical abolitionist primarily known for his efforts to start a violent slave rebellion beginning in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
What was John Brown’s plan in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia?
John Brown, a white abolitionist, shocked the nation by attacking a federal arsenal in Harper’s Ferry with his followers. He had hoped to inspire nearby slaves to rise up so he could distribute weapons and form a slave army, sweeping across the South to grow in size and end slavery once and for all. His plan failed, and he was captured and executed.
His actions were extremely controversial at the time and served to widen the divide between the North and the South. Southerners, fearful of abolitionists inciting their slaves to rebel, formed militia groups and prepared for the possibility of violence.
What were the arguments made in defense of slavery?
Defenders of slavery based their arguments on the following:
- False racial doctrines of white superiority
- The view that slavery was a positive social good that gave slaves a better life than poor workers in industrialized cities
- The belief that the Constitution protected slavery and states’ rights
