Unit 4 Manifest Destiny

What was Manifest Destiny?

Belief that the U.S. was meant to expand west to the Pacific.

Why did many Mexicans later object to American settlers living in Texas?

Settlers ignored Mexican laws and tried to control the region.

Who became president of Texas?

Sam Houston.

What happened at the Alamo?

Texan defenders were killed after a 13-day siege by Mexican forces.

Why were some Americans opposed to Texas statehood?

It would add a large slave state and possibly lead to war with Mexico.

What goals did James K. Polk set for himself?

Annex Texas, settle Oregon, acquire California/New Mexico, expand the U.S.

What is the meaning of '54-40 or fight'?

U.S. demand for the northern boundary of Oregon at latitude 54°40'.

What were the major causes of the Mexican War?

Border dispute, U.S. annexation of Texas, desire for western lands.

How did Mexico feel about the annexation of Texas and why?

Mexico was angered because it still considered Texas its territory.

What was the Spot Resolution and who proposed it?

Lincoln demanded Polk show the exact 'spot' where American blood was shed.

What were the consequences of the Mexican War?

U.S. gained huge territories; Mexico lost half its land; tension over slavery grew.

What was the Mexican Cession and how much did the U.S. pay for it?

Land gained from Mexico (CA, NV, UT, etc.); U.S. paid $15 million.

What was the Gadsden Purchase and cost?

Small strip of land in AZ/NM bought for $10 million for a railroad.

Who founded the Mormon faith? Who led them to Utah?

Joseph Smith founded; Brigham Young led them to Utah.

What was the Donner Party and where were they headed?

A wagon group trapped in the Sierra Nevada; headed to California.

What was the Missouri Compromise (1820)?

Missouri slave, Maine free, 36°30' line divides free/slave territory.

What was the proposal to exclude slavery from Mexican Cession?

Wilmot Proviso.

What did the Free Soil Party believe in? What happened to it?

Wanted to stop slavery's expansion; eventually absorbed into Republicans.

What were the five provisions of the Compromise of 1850?

CA free; stronger Fugitive Slave Act; Utah/NM pop. sovereignty; DC slave trade ended; TX boundary settled.

Who proposed the Compromise of 1850?

Henry Clay.

What book by Harriet Beecher Stowe increased abolitionist support?

Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Who was elected president in 1852?

Franklin Pierce.

Who proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act and what did it say?

Stephen Douglas; allowed popular sovereignty in KS/NE.

What was Bleeding Kansas?

Violent conflict over slavery in Kansas.

What was the platform of the Republican Party?

Stop expansion of slavery.

What happened in the Brooks-Sumner Incident?

Brooks beat Senator Sumner with a cane in Congress.

What speech did Charles Sumner give? Main ideas?

'Crime Against Kansas'; attacked pro-slavery leaders.

What happened at Pottawatomie Creek?

John Brown killed pro-slavery settlers.

Who did Republicans nominate for president in 1856? Democrats?

Republicans: John C. Frémont; Democrats: James Buchanan.

What was Buchanan's view on events in America?

Tried to avoid conflict; believed the issue should go to the courts.

What was Dred Scott's argument? Why?

He lived on free soil, so he believed he should be free.

What was the numerical vote in the Dred Scott case?

7-2 against Scott.

Who wrote the majority opinion? What did it say?

Roger B. Taney; said slaves were not citizens and Congress couldn't limit slavery.

What was the dissenting opinion?

Scott should be free because living on free soil made him free.

What famous speech did Lincoln give on June 16, 1858? Meaning?

'A House Divided'; the U.S. cannot survive half slave and half free.

Significance of Lincoln-Douglas debates?

Made Lincoln nationally known; highlighted slavery tensions.

What office were Lincoln and Douglas running for?

U.S. Senate (Illinois).

What is the 17th Amendment and why is it important here?

Direct election of senators—back then legislatures chose senators.

What was the Freeport Doctrine?

Douglas said slavery could be kept out if local laws didn't support it.

Results of the 1858 Illinois election?

Douglas won; Lincoln became nationally famous.

Why did John Brown choose Harpers Ferry?

It had a federal arsenal and was near major slave populations.

What happened at Harpers Ferry in 1859?

Brown tried to start a slave revolt; captured by U.S. Marines.

Why was John Brown seen as a martyr?

He died for an anti-slavery cause and inspired abolitionists.

Who were the four nominees for president in 1860?

Republican: Lincoln; Northern Democrat: Douglas; Southern Democrat: Breckinridge; Constitutional Union: Bell.

How and why did Lincoln win?

He won Northern states; Democrats split their vote.

What was unusual about the 1860 election?

Lincoln won with no Southern electoral votes.

What does it mean that Lincoln was a moderate Republican?

Opposed expansion of slavery but not an immediate abolitionist.

What was the Crittenden Compromise?

Last-ditch plan to extend Missouri Compromise line; it failed.

What is secession? Why did states secede? First state?

Leaving the Union; they feared Lincoln would end slavery; South Carolina first.

What is a Confederacy and how is it different from a Federal government?

Loose alliance of states with more state power than federal.

President of the CSA? Vice President?

Jefferson Davis; Alexander Stephens.

Basic ideas in Lincoln's 1861 inaugural address?

He wouldn't end slavery where it existed; secession is illegal; called for unity.

What happened at Fort Sumter?

Confederates fired on the U.S. fort, starting the Civil War.