Antebellum Presidential History

Antebellum Presidential History Flashcards

Manifest Destiny

Term coined by John Lewis O’Sullivan describing the belief that the U.S. was divinely ordained to expand across the continent and spread democracy.

Adams/Onis Treaty

Agreement that brought Florida under U.S. control.

Antebellum Presidents

Conceived of their role as clerical, national caretakers who either approved or disapproved of Congress’ agenda.

John Tyler

President whose policies promoted settlement of the Far West, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, and California—supporting “Manifest Destiny.”

Mexican/American War (1845-1848)

War provoked by James K. Polk over the boundary of Texas, resulting in the U.S. gaining New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty that ceded claims to New Mexico, Arizona, and California to the U.S. after the Mexican/American War.

Compromise of 1850

Compromise supported by Zachary Taylor, which outlawed slave trade in D.C., admitted California as a free state, and allowed New Mexico and Utah to determine slave status through elections.

Franklin Pierce

Opened diplomatic and trade relations with China and Japan; supported the Gadsden Purchase, "popular sovereignty," and the Kansas/Nebraska Act.

Republican Party

Organized during Franklin Pierce's administration.

Dred Scott decision and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry

Events that occurred during James Buchanan's presidency.

Abraham Lincoln, John Breckenridge, Stephen Douglas, and John Bell

Key candidates in the 1860 election.

Sought to limit slavery to existing slave states

Lincoln's stance on slavery before the Civil War.

Martin Van Buren (New York Democrat, 1837-1841)

Defeated William Henry Harrison in the 1836 election, largely because of the endorsement of Andrew Jackson. The Panic of 1837 troubled his administration.

William Henry Harrison (Indiana Whig, 1841)

Long-time leader in Indiana, he defeated Van Buren in the 1840 election. Died from pneumonia, thirty days after his inauguration.

Whig Party

Harrison was the first Whig president. The Whig Party formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson. Frankly, they were not a coherent group, and the party only lasted a few years

John Tyler (Virginia Whig, 1841-1845)

Despised both Henry Clay and Jackson. His policies promoted settlement of the Far West, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, and California—supporting “Manifest Destiny.” He opposed the tariff but supported slavery and state’s rights and advocated for the annexation of Texas.

James Knox Polk (Tennessee Democrat, 1845-1849)

Defeated Clay in the 1844 election. He negotiated the annexation of Texas and supported the acquisition of California. Most importantly, he provoked war with Mexico over the boundary of Texas, resulting in the Vera Cruz Campaign and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Zachary Taylor (Virginia Whig, 1849-1850)

Commanded troops in Texas during the Mexican/American War, and had never held elected office. He supported the Compromise of 1850 which outlawed slave trade in the District of Columbia, admitted California as a free state, and provided for New Mexico and Utah to hold elections to determine slave status. Died of Typhoid in the summer of 1850.

Millard Fillmore (New York Whig, 1850-1853)

“Custodial” president who supported the Compromise of 1850— bill passed during his first year in office.

Franklin Pierce (New Hampshire Democrat, 1853-1857)

Defeated Winfield Scott in the 1852 election. Opened diplomatic and trade relations with China and Japan. He supported the Gadsden Purchase (1853), “popular sovereignty,” and the Kansas/Nebraska Act (1854). The Republican Party organized during his administration.

James Buchanan (Pennsylvania Democrat, 1857-1861)

Defeated John Fremont in 1856 election. Southerner John Breckenridge served as Buchanan’s vice president, mollifying southern slaveholders. The Dred Scott decision and John Brown’s raid on Harper’s Ferry occurred during his administration.