History 1301 - Exam 4 (Chapters 13-16)

13.1. Explain how the Lower South had become the “cotton kingdom” by 1860.

The South’s climate and geography was ideal for the cultivation of cotton. Roughly 3/4 of the world’s cotton was grown in the south.

13.2. Illustrate how slavery continued to grow in the Antebellum South.

Slavery continued to grow, mainly due to natural increase, since the Federal Government outlawed the importation of slaves in 1808.

13.3. Show how white southerners worked to defend and strengthen slavery.

They established elaborate slave codes to control slave behavior. They claimed white supremacy at the heart of their argument. This encouraged whites to unify around race rather than divide by class.

13.4. Describe and understand the life of slaves on large plantations and small farms.

The majority of slaves worked as field workers. 1 out of 10 slaves were house servants ( mainly women). They all worked from sunup to sundown.

13.5. Define the concept of “Paternalism” and its economic benefits to southern planters.

“Christian Guardianship” was the reciprocal obligation, meaning slaves provided labor and masters provided basic care for slaves. It denied that slavery practiced in the South was brutal and exploitative. It also encouraged better treatment because it made economic sense to take care of the slaves. It provided slaveholders with a means of rationalizing rule.

13.6. Describe slaves’ efforts to preserve marriage and family life on the plantation.

Slaves were left alone at night and on Sundays. This allowed them to create a community and culture of their own. This limited autonomy and allowed for the preservation of their families.

13.7. List the many behaviors and acts that slaves demonstrated to show their resistance to slavery.

Day-to-day resistance, running away from the plantations, or outright rebellion (rarest form).

13.8. Describe the precarious existence of most free blacks in the slave south.

They made up 6% percent of the total population, had their liberties restricted, & were required to carry freedom papers. Most lived in poverty and dependence and could not own property or marry. Whites feared they would incite a rebellion. A small elite group flourished economically in urban areas.

13.9. Clarify the political challenges of southern Whigs and southern Democrats in the antebellum
period.

Most politicians were slaveholders; however, 75% of whites did not own slaves. Southern politicians had to convince yeoman (non-slave holding property owners) that what was good for slave holders was good for them (politicians). All of politics became more democratic and more fiercely partisan. The politics of slavery helped knit together all of southern white society.

13.10. Explain how slaveholders kept the loyalty of non-slaveholders in the South.

They used intimidation tactics (vigilantes and mob violence) to defend the institution of slavery from its critics. They attacked each other as rich, snobbish, selfish men. 

14.1. Identify the slavery-related issue that divided the North and South after the War with Mexico.

14.2. Explain why northern Whigs and Democrats supported the Wilmot Proviso.

They both wanted to stop the spread of slavery.

14.3. Define “popular sovereignty” as proposed by Senator Lewis Cass.

He felt people who settled the territories should be able to decide for themselves the question of slavery. This gave hope to the North and South.

14.4. List the provisions of the Compromise of 1850.

1. California would enter the Union as a free state

2. New Mexico & Utah would decide slavery based on popular sovereignty

3. Texas accepts the new border with New Mexico

4. Abolish slave trade in Washington, D.C.

5. Fugitive slave laws become more stringent

14.5. Show how Uncle Tom’s Cabin contributed to the conflict between north and south.

It was written by Harriet Beecher-Stowe. It exposed the sin of slavery (to the North), which influenced their perception of slavery.

14.6. Show how the Kansas-Nebraska Act impacted political parties in the U.S.

After the Democrats and Whigs fought each other over slavery and the passing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Whigs were hardly a party at all, and the democrats dominated. This led to the formation of two new parties: the American Party and the Republican Party.

14.7. Describe the basic beliefs and goals of the “Know-Nothings”.

They were anti-immigrant, anti-catholic and sought to reduce the power of immigrants.

14.8. Describe the basic beliefs and goals of the Republican Party.

They opposed the extension of slavery into the territories, and restricting slavery to the south would allow free labor to flourish.

14.9. Discuss the issues that led to a “Bleeding Kansas” in the mid-1850s.

The issue of slavery would be decided by popular sovereignty. The north and the south sent in settlers to seek victory; however violence erupted in kansas. The violence gives the new Republican party fresh ammunition (momentum) to unite around.

14.10. List the results of the Dred Scott case.

It decided the constitutionality of the extension of slavery. The court said Scott could not legally claim a violation of his constitutional rights because he was not a citizen. The court also said Scott’s home state determined his status. It also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional.

14.11. Understand the significance of the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates and what key issue dominated the debates. Identify how the debates influenced Lincoln’s political career.

The main topic of the 7 debates was slavery and the expansion of slavery into New Territories. During the debates, Lincoln considered slavery a “monstrous injustice”, however he did not challenge white supremacy. Lincoln has badgered incumbent senator Stephan Douglas on his Kansas-Nebraska Act. Douglas later called Lincoln an abolitionist and egalitarian. Douglas won the election, but Lincoln was thrust into the nation spotlight, kick-starting his political career. 

14.12. Name the leader of the Harper’s Ferry raid in 1859 and analyze the impact of the raid.

John Brown lead the raid of the U.S. arsenal to help incite a slave rebellion. He was later hung for involvement. The north celebrated him as martyr. The south saw him as a murderer and robber. This began to show the country divide.

14.13. Discuss southerners’ reactions to Lincoln’s election in 1860.

The southerners felt he was a direct threat to slavery which led them into secession. 

14.14. Discuss Lincoln’s reaction to secession.

In Lincolns inaugural address, he declared secession illegal and vowed to preserve the union.

15.6. Name the commander of the Army of Northern Virginia and clarify the significance of his
command.

George McClellan****************************************

15.7. Locate the Civil War’s bloodiest single day of fighting and identify the importance of that battle.

The Battle of Antietam. There was approx. 17,000 casualties. The Union declared victory and Lee retreated back to Virginia. Lincoln had a victory for the Emancipation Proclamation. The situation kept Europe out of the war. And the Union did not retreat.

15.8. Evaluate the success of the Union’s naval blockade on the Atlantic coast.

15.9. Assess the effectiveness of “King Cotton diplomacy”.

The south hoped European nations break blockade for the cotton. During this, diplomacy failed as Europe went other places for their cotton,

15.10. Explain the Union’s realization that it would have to destroy slavery in order to defeat the
Confederacy.

The union realized they would have to destroy slavery to win and officially released the Emancipation Proclamation (Jan 1, 1863).

15.11. Identify the limitations of the Emancipation Proclamation.

The proclamation only released slaves from states in rebellion and not slave states that stayed loyal to the union.

15.12. Describe the military experiences of African American soldiers.

They fought in segregated units. Were paid less than white soldiers. Were often assigned first to labor before combat. Participated in the Battle of Port Hudson. Became the crucible to union slavery.

15.13. Describe how the Civil War affected the lives and work of plantation slaves.

The war disrupted routine and organization, therefore the balance of power between masters and slaves gradually shifted:

• slaves began to show up late to the fields

• worked casually

• quit early

• became more assertive

15.14. Discuss how Republican-dominated Congress changed the U.S. economy during the Civil War.

Congress created:

• Legal Tender Act of 1862 creating a national currency and prayer money (greenbacks).

• National Banking Act of 1863 established a system of national debts

• Sweeping Tax Laws (income tax)

• Homestead Act and Pacific Railroad Act encouraging settlement west and supported Transcontinental railroad

• Department of Agriculture which strengthened the north’s efforts to win the war

15.15. Show how women contributed to the war effort.

Women farmed, worked in factories, nursing and government. They often stepped into jobs vacated by men.

15.16. Name the founder of the American Red Cross.

Clara Barton was the founder of the American Red Cross.