TP 4: US Efforts to Dominate North America in the 19th Century

Vocabulary flashcards on the political, economic, social, and cultural impacts of US efforts to dominate North America in the first half of the 19th century.

Journals from Lewis and Clark (1804-1806)

Comprehensive chronicles from the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), detailing the exploration and documentation of the Louisiana Purchase; includes meticulously recorded maps, botanical specimens, ethnographic data on Native American tribes encountered, and geographic surveys, which significantly contributed to the understanding and development of the American West.

Adams-Onis Treaty (1819)

A pact established in 1819 between the United States and Spain to resolve boundary disputes; the United States acquired Florida, settling territorial claims and expanding its southeastern border.

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

A conflict from 1812 to 1815 between the United States and Great Britain, primarily caused by British trade restrictions and the impressment of American sailors. Despite numerous battles, the war ended with no territorial changes, reinforcing American sovereignty.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Concluded in 1848, this treaty ended the Mexican-American War and significantly expanded U.S. territory. The United States acquired vast lands, including what would become California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming, leading to debates over the expansion of slavery.

Treaty of Wanghia (1844)

Established in 1844, this treaty fostered trade relations between the U.S. and China, granting the U.S. similar trading rights to those of other foreign powers. It opened key Chinese ports, such as San Francisco, to facilitate trade and marked a significant step in U.S.-China relations.

Opium Wars (1839-1842 and 1856-1860)

A series of conflicts in the mid-19th century triggered by expansionist trade practices, as the United States and Britain sought to expand their markets into China, particularly through the trade of opium. These wars resulted in significant concessions from China and expanded foreign influence.

American Gold Discovery of 1849 (1849)

The discovery of gold in California in 1849 dramatically boosted the U.S. economy and spurred a massive influx of migrants to the West. This event significantly shaped California's development and contributed to the broader westward expansion movement.

Indian Appropriations Act (1851)

U.S. federal law enacted in 1851 that authorized the creation of reservations for Native American tribes, particularly in areas like the Oklahoma Territory. This act was part of a broader policy to consolidate and control Native American populations.

Domestic Dependent Nations

A legal principle that defines the status of Native American tribes within the U.S. as being under the protection of the federal government but not subject to state laws, as established in the Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia. This status recognizes tribes as having limited sovereignty.

Seminole Wars (1816-1856)

Conflicts in Florida reflecting the Seminole people's resistance to U.S. expansion and authority in the region. These wars were indicative of broader tensions between Native American tribes and the U.S. government over land and sovereignty.

Rising Sectionalism

The increasing tensions between the northern and southern regions of the U.S., primarily due to stark imbalances of political and economic power in the government. These tensions were largely centered around the issue of slavery and states' rights, eventually leading to the Civil War.

Trail of Tears (1831-1850)

The forced removal of the Cherokee and other Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United