Contextualizing Period 5 (1844-1877)

These flashcards cover key concepts, events, and legislation from the period of U.S. history from 1844 to 1877, focusing on sectional conflict, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

What were the main reasons for sectional conflict in the United States between 1844 and 1877?

The main reasons included territorial expansion, rising sectionalism over slavery, and political tensions leading to the Civil War.

What significant event marked the beginning of the Civil War?

The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 led to the secession of eleven Southern states.

What was the outcome of the Civil War regarding slavery?

The Civil War resulted in the end of slavery and the expansion of federal power.

What were the Black Codes?

Laws passed by Southern states to restrict the rights of freed African Americans after the Civil War.

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

Issued by Lincoln on January 1, 1863, it declared the freedom of all enslaved people in states in rebellion against the U.S.

How did westward expansion relate to Manifest Destiny?

Manifest Destiny was the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America, driving westward expansion.

What major acquisition did the U.S. make due to the Mexican-American War?

The Mexican Cession, which included California and New Mexico.

What was the significance of the Compromise of 1850?

It attempted to ease tensions between the North and South over slavery by introducing measures like California as a free state and a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

What role did the Underground Railroad play in the abolitionist movement?

It helped enslaved people escape to freedom, becoming a symbol of resistance against slavery.

What was the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1866?

It declared all persons born in the U.S. as citizens and aimed to protect the rights of African Americans.

What led to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln?

His support for the abolition of slavery and the Reconstruction policies angered many Southerners, leading to his assassination by John Wilkes Booth.

What was the main purpose of the Freedmen’s Bureau?

To provide assistance to freed slaves in the South and help them transition from slavery to freedom.

How did sharecropping affect African Americans in the South?

It often trapped them in a cycle of debt and dependency, limiting their economic independence.

What were the Radical Republicans' goals during Reconstruction?

To secure civil rights for freedmen and implement stringent measures against the Southern states.

What was the significance of the 14th Amendment?

It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and included clauses for equal protection under the law.

What event symbolized the end of Reconstruction?

The Compromise of 1877, which resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South.