CHAPTER 13 PLEASE KILL ME NOW

Abraham Lincoln

16th president of the US; believed slavery was morally wrong, thought blacks were inferior but still deserved rights, thought slavery lessened available jobs for poor whites

Compromise of 1850

proposed by Henry Clay; 1) admission of California into Union as free state 2) popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico 3) abolish slave trade but not slavery in DC 4) more effective fugitive slave law

Dred Scott Decision

A Missouri slave sued for his freedom, claiming that his four year stay in the northern portion of the Louisiana Territory made free land by the Missouri Compromise had made him a free man. The U.S, Supreme Court decided he couldn't sue in federal court because he was property, not a citizen, and said Congress couldn't take away property. Congress also said the Missouri Compromise line was unconstitutional

Election of 1860

the democratic party split, Lincoln (Republican) was elected president without any southern votes

Fugitive Slave Act

A law that made it a crime to help runaway slaves; allowed for the arrest of escaped slaves in areas where slavery was illegal and required their return to slaveholders

Gold Rush

a large migration of people to a newly discovered gold field in California - resulted in a labor shortage and more diversity in CA

Free-Soil Ideology

West should be free of blacks so that it is open for white opportunities

Free-Soil Party

A political party dedicated to stopping the expansion of slavery (and blacks) in the west

Gadsden Purchase

strip of land from Mexico (in present-day AZ and NM) that would allow a transcontinental railroad to run through and eventually connect to a southern port in US; bought for $10 mil

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

a Mexican dictator who seized power during instability while Texas fought for independence

Harpers Ferry

Location of federal arsenal that John Brown raided to get guns to arm slaves for his insurrection

Henry Clay

A northern American politician. He developed the American System as well as negotiated numerous compromises.

James K. Polk

11th president of US; EXPANSION!!!; wanted to settle Oregon boundary dispute with Britain; wanted to acquire California; wanted to incorporate Texas into Union

John Brown

An abolitionist who attempted to lead a slave revolt by capturing Armories in southern territory and giving weapons to slaves, was hung in Harpers Ferry after capturing an Armory

John C. Calhoun

South Carolina Senator - advocate for state's rights, limited government, nullification, and Fugitive Slave Law

Kansas-Nebraska Act

a law that allowed voters in Kansas and Nebraska to choose whether to allow slavery

Manifest Destiny

idea that US was destined by God and history to expand its boundaries and spread its ideals

Mexican War

after disputes over Texas lands that were settled by Mexicans the United States declared war on Mexico in 1846 and by treaty in 1848 took Texas, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and part of Colorado and paid Mexico $15 million

Oregon Border Dispute

both US and Great Britain claimed authority over Oregon, "joint occupation" allowed them to live together but border disputes arose

Oregon Trail

Trail from independence Missouri to Oregon used by many pioneers traveling to western lands during the 1840s

Popular Sovereignty

belief that the people can decide the position of slavery in their area

Republican Party

Antislavery political party that formed in the 1850's.

Sam Houston

Commander of the Texas army at the battle of San Jacinto; later elected president of the Republic of Texas

Stephen A. Douglas

Senator from Illinois who ran for president against Abraham Lincoln; wrote the Kansas-Nebraska Act

Stephen F. Austin

known as the Father of Texas, led the second and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States (he was an American intermediary)

Tejanos

Mexican residents of Texas

Texas Annexation

1845. Originally refused in 1837, as the U.S. Government believed that the annexation would lead to war with Mexico. Texas remained a sovereign nation. Annexed via a joint resolution through Congress, supported by President-elect Polk, and approved in 1845. Land from the Republic of Texas later bacame parts of NM, CO, OK, KS, and WY.

The Alamo

a mission and fort in San Antonio, Texas, where Mexican forces massacred rebellious Texans in 1836

Transcontinental Railroad

Railroad connecting the west and east coasts of the continental US; debates over where to link it to eastern railroad system (North wanted it in North, South wanted it in South)

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Mexico ceded California and New Mexico to US and acknowledged Rio Grande as boundary of Texas; US had to assume financial claims its new citizens made against Mexico and pay $15 million to Mexico

Wilmot Proviso

failed proposal that outlawed slavery in any territory gained from the War with Mexico

Winfield Scott

United States general who was a hero of the War of 1812 and who defeated Santa Anna in the Mexican War

"Young America"

idea of an expansion of American democracy throughout the world as way to divert attention from slavery issue; failed b/c any attempts to bring in new territory brought slavery question up

Zachary Taylor

Whig president who was a Southern slave holder, and war hero in Mexican-American War. Won the 1848 election. Surprisingly did not address the issue of slavery at all on his platform. He died during his term and his Vice President was Millard Fillmore.