AICE U.S Midterm Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key historical events, political and economic differences, and significant figures leading up to and during the American Civil War.

What were the main political sectional differences between the North and South during the Civil War era?

The North abolished slavery due to ineffectiveness and ethical concerns, while the South retained slavery for its free labor and limited economy.

How did the North and South differ economically during the Civil War period?

The North was industrialized and did not rely on slavery, while the South was rural and utilized Black African slaves for agriculture.

What was the outcome of the Mexican American War (1846-1848)?

The U.S. gained Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Oregon, and it marked the beginning of Manifest Destiny.

What was the Missouri Compromise?

Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state, establishing the 36'30 latitude line to prevent slavery in Louisiana Purchase territories.

What were the main features of the Compromise of 1850?

California was admitted as a free state, popular sovereignty was introduced, and the Fugitive Slave Act was established.

What did the Fugitive Slave Act entail?

It allowed slave owners to retrieve runaway slaves from jurisdictions outside their own.

What was the significance of the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

It allowed residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide whether to allow slavery, leading to a influx of settlers and conflicts.

What was 'Bleeding Kansas'?

A term used to describe violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas following the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

What was the Dred Scott decision?

The Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, a runaway slave, was not entitled to sue for his freedom because he was considered property.

Who participated in the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and what was a key issue discussed?

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas debated the issue of slavery and its moral and constitutional implications.

What was John Brown's raid at Harpers Ferry?

In October 1859, John Brown led a raid to free enslaved people, which resulted in his capture and execution.

What were the circumstances surrounding Lincoln's Election of 1860?

Lincoln won the presidency with 39% of the votes amid a fragmented Democratic opposition on the issue of slavery.

What was the significance of the secession of southern states?

South Carolina first seceded from the Union, leading to the formation of the Confederate States of America.

What event marked the start of the Civil War?

The attack on Fort Sumter by Confederate forces in April 1861.

What was Lincoln's Anaconda Plan?

A strategy to suffocate the South economically by blockading trade and controlling key supply lines.

Who were some key commanders in the Civil War?

Key Northern leaders include Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, while the South had Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee.

What was a major advantage of the North in the Civil War?

The North had a larger population, more industrial resources, and extensive railway networks for transport.