Southern Economy, Slavery, and Texas Revolution: Key Concepts

What was the primary economic reliance of the Southern states?

Agricultural products and slave labor

What invention transformed the Southern economy into the 'Cotton Kingdom'?

The cotton gin, developed by Eli Whitney

By how much did US cotton production increase due to the cotton gin?

From 700,000 to 5 million bales

What percentage of US exports did cotton represent?

More than 50%

Which crops did upper South farmers grow instead of cotton?

Corn, hemp, tobacco, and wheat

How did the reliance on slavery differ between the upper and lower South?

Upper South relied less on slavery compared to the Lower South

What was the role of southern manufacturing in the economy?

It played a significant role in the economy of the upper South

What was Tredegar Iron Works known for?

Being one of the nation's largest and best-equipped iron works

What was New Orleans known for in the Southern economy?

Being the nation's most prosperous export center

What was a major reason for slower industrialization in the South compared to the North?

Many Southern investors preferred to invest in land and slaves rather than factories

What was the Southern class structure during the Antebellum period?

It reflected the importance of land and slaves, with wealthy planters at the top

How did plantation mistresses contribute to plantation life?

They managed the household and were free from physical labor

Who made up the majority of Southern white society?

Yeoman farmers, numbering around 100,000

What challenges did the very poor white population in the South face?

They farmed the least-productive soil and suffered from medical problems

What influenced the food and housing of small Southern farmers?

Their diet primarily consisted of corn and they raised pigs

What role did religion play in Southern culture?

It united white Southerners and served as a social center

How did white Southerners justify slavery using religion?

They interpreted the Bible to suggest they were superior and that slaves would be saved if loyal

What restrictions were placed on free African Americans in the South?

They had to register with local authorities and could not attend all-black churches without a white person

What was the perspective of some Southerners regarding the profitability of slavery?

Some argued that slavery was less profitable than wage labor and industry

What percentage of enslaved African Americans lived and worked on plantations?

Over 75%

What roles did enslaved women typically fulfill on plantations?

Cooks, maids, or nannies

What types of work did enslaved men often do on plantations?

Blacksmiths, carpenters, coach drivers, and gardeners

What role did overseers play on plantations?

Overseers supervised slaves on large plantations, often using drivers chosen from among the slaves.

What was the living condition of slaves like?

Slave quarters were cramped, not furnished, and food was rationed, leading slaves to hunt and fish at night.

What was the most common punishment for slaves?

Whipping was the most common punishment used on slaves.

How did slaves maintain their culture?

Slaves created a unique African-American culture through oral history, folktales, music, and religion.

What was the significance of spirituals in slave culture?

Spirituals were haunting songs used during work, worship, and relaxation, blending Christianity and African beliefs.

Who led a rebellion that included hundreds of slaves?

Gabriel Prosser led a rebellion involving hundreds of slaves.

What was the outcome of Denmark Vesey's rebellion plan?

Denmark Vesey's plan for a massive slave uprising was discovered before it could be executed, leading to his execution.

What was Nat Turner's belief regarding his rebellion?

Nat Turner believed God sent him to free the slaves and killed 60 white people before being caught and executed.

What were slave codes?

Slave codes were laws passed by Southern states to restrict slaves' movements and make it illegal to teach them to read.

What was the purpose of the Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was a network that assisted slaves in escaping to the North.

What was the American Colonization Society's plan?

The American Colonization Society planned to send freed African Americans to Africa to establish new settlements.

What was the reaction of many Northern free African Americans to colonization?

Many Northern free African Americans opposed colonization, wanting to stay in the U.S. despite discrimination.

What publications were important to the abolitionist movement?

The Appeal and The Liberator were significant publications advocating for the immediate abolition of slavery.

Who was Frederick Douglass?

Frederick Douglass was a fugitive slave and a prominent abolitionist who published writings advocating for abolition.

What was the Missouri Compromise?

The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain the balance between slave and free states.

What does the term 'Manifest Destiny' refer to?

Manifest Destiny refers to the belief that it was God's intention for the U.S. to expand westward.

What were empresarios in Texas?

Empresarios were individuals who recruited and took responsibility for new settlers in Texas, often attracting many from the U.S.

What was the impact of the presence of U.S. settlers in Texas?

The presence of U.S. settlers in Texas was significant as it prompted Mexican officials to offer land and tax exemptions to boost their population.

What did abolitionists argue regarding the Declaration of Independence?

Abolitionists argued that slavery contradicted the Declaration of Independence's assertion that all men are created equal.

Who were the Grimke sisters?

The Grimke sisters were effective anti-slavery activists who left their slaveholding family to advocate for abolition.

What challenges did abolitionists face?

Abolitionists faced threats from Southern slaveholders, violence, and opposition from some Northerners.

What was the significance of the Freedom Journal?

The Freedom Journal was the first African American newspaper, formed to advocate for the abolition of slavery.

What was the role of music in slave culture?

Music, often with strong rhythmic beats, served as a form of expression and escape for slaves.

What was the impact of the Fugitive Slave Law?

The Fugitive Slave Law made it difficult for escaped slaves to find safety in the North, as they could be captured and returned.

What did David Walker demand in his publication?

David Walker demanded universal abolition and advocated for violence if necessary.

What was the demographic ratio of non-Mexicans to Tejanos in Texas by 1830?

Non-Mexicans outnumbered Tejanos 2:1.

What measures did Mexico take in response to fears of rebellion in Texas?

Mexico closed the Texas border to additional immigration from the US and prohibited the importation of slaves.

What was the Texas Revolution?

A rebellion by Texan settlers against Mexican rule, sparked by various grievances including the fear of losing slavery.

What significant event occurred at the Alamo?

Texas rebels fought against Santa Anna's army but were ultimately overrun, resulting in the death of many rebel fighters.

Who was the commander of the Texas army during the revolution?

Sam Houston.

What battle led to Texas gaining independence from Mexico?

The Battle of San Jacinto.

What was the outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

It ended the Mexican War, with Mexico ceding a vast territory to the US and recognizing Texas as part of the US.

What was the Gadsden Purchase?

A transaction in which the US acquired parts of Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico.

What was the gag rule in Congress?

A rule that prohibited discussion of petitions related to the abolition of slavery.

What was the Wilmot Proviso?

An amendment proposed to ban slavery in all lands acquired from Mexico.

What was the main issue in the Election of 1844?

The annexation of Texas and westward expansion.

What was the stance of the Free Soil Party?

They demanded Congress prohibit the expansion of slavery into new territories.

What did Henry Clay propose regarding California's statehood?

He proposed admitting California as a free state and abolishing the slave trade in Washington, D.C.

What was the significance of the Bear Flag Revolt?

A revolt by US settlers in California declaring independence from Mexico.

What was the impact of Polk's victory in the 1844 election?

It increased tensions between the US and Mexico and led to the annexation of Texas.

What did the Mexican Cession entail?

Mexico ceded California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona to the US.

What was the role of General Taylor in the Mexican War?

He led US troops into Central Mexico during the conflict.

What was the response of abolitionists to the Mexican War?

They argued that the war aimed to acquire more slave territory.

What did the term 'dark-horse candidate' refer to in the context of the 1844 election?

A candidate with little chance of winning, specifically referring to James K. Polk.

How did the Texas government encourage immigration?

By inviting French and German settlers to different towns.

What was the significance of the Missouri Compromise in relation to Texas?

It set dividing lines for slavery that were extended westward with the annexation of Texas.

What was the outcome of the siege of Mexico City?

It marked the final campaign of the war, leading to US victory.

What did the US agree to in exchange for the Mexican Cession?

The US paid Mexico $15 million for damages and agreed to grant full citizenship to Mexicans living in the ceded territories.

What was the primary concern for opponents of Texas annexation?

They feared it would increase the power of slave states in Congress.

What was the significance of the 'Remember the Alamo' rallying cry?

It inspired Texan troops during the Battle of San Jacinto.

What did Polk demand from Mexico regarding the Rio Grande?

He demanded that Mexico recognize the Rio Grande as the northern border of Texas.

What was the result of the Mexican War for the US?

The US gained significant territories in the West, including California and New Mexico.

What was the role of Congressman Lincoln during the Mexican War?

He introduced 'spot resolutions' challenging the president to identify the exact location of American bloodshed.

What was the Compromise of 1850?

A series of measures passed by Congress to ease tensions between slave and free states, including the Fugitive Slave Act.

Who was the Democratic candidate in the 1852 election?

Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire.

What was the Fugitive Slave Act?

A law that made it a federal crime to assist runaway slaves and authorized their arrest even in free states.

What was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'?

A novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and helped galvanize anti-slavery sentiment in the North.

What did the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 do?

It organized the territories of Kansas and Nebraska based on popular sovereignty, allowing residents to vote on the issue of slavery.

What was 'Bleeding Kansas'?

A series of violent confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas following the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Who was Dred Scott?

A slave who sued for his freedom, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case that denied him citizenship and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

What was the outcome of the Dred Scott v. Sandford case?

The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans could not be citizens and that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories.

What were the Lincoln-Douglas debates?

A series of debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas focusing on the issue of slavery and its expansion.

What was John Brown's raid?

An attempt by abolitionist John Brown to seize a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry to arm slaves for a revolt.

What was the significance of the election of 1860?

Abraham Lincoln's election led to the secession of several Southern states from the Union.

What was the Crittenden Compromise?

A failed proposal to resolve the secession crisis by re-establishing the Missouri Compromise line.

What event marked the beginning of the Civil War?

The attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces on April 12, 1861.

What advantages did the North have in the Civil War?

A larger population, greater industrial capacity, and a more extensive railroad network.

What advantages did the South have in the Civil War?

Defensive war strategy and experienced military leadership, including General Robert E. Lee.

What was the role of border states during the Civil War?

Slave states that remained in the Union, including Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, and West Virginia.

What was the main goal of the North during the Civil War?

To restore the Union.

What was the Southern strategy in the Civil War?

To fight a defensive war and leverage their military leadership.

What did the Republican Party oppose?

The expansion of slavery into new territories.

Who was Stephen Douglas?

An Illinois senator who supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act and popular sovereignty.

What was the Lecompton Constitution?

A pro-slavery constitution drafted by settlers in Kansas that was ultimately rejected.

What was the reaction to John Brown's raid?

Abolitionists viewed him as a hero, while Southern whites feared slave revolts.

What was the significance of the 1856 Dred Scott decision?

It intensified national divisions over slavery and outraged abolitionists.

What was the impact of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' on Northern attitudes?

It helped justify Northern opposition to slavery and was banned in many Southern states.

What were personal liberty laws?

Laws passed in Northern states to counter the Fugitive Slave Act and protect runaway slaves.