APUSH Jacksonian Democracy, Civil War, and Reconstruction

Jackson elected as president in 1828

Andrew Jackson won the presidency, marking the rise of Jacksonian Democracy.

Jacksonian Democracy

Jackson's political philosophy emphasizing policies that benefited the common man, including the elimination of property requirements for voting.

Era of Common Man Participation

A period during Jackson's presidency where the political system became more accessible to ordinary people.

Democracy in America

A two-volume work by Alexis de Tocqueville that praised the equality and success of democracy in the U.S., while cautioning about the dangers of tyranny of the majority and unchecked power.

King Andrew I

A term used by Jackson's critics, accusing him of using military popularity to preside over a tyrannical and incompetent government, resembling mobocracy.

Spoils System

A system where Jackson rewarded political loyalists with government jobs, which led to significant political corruption in the 19th century.

Whig Party (1833-54)

A political party formed in opposition to Jackson, including figures like Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Quincy Adams, who opposed Jackson's policies and use of presidential power.

Veto of the 2nd BUS (1832)

Jackson vetoed the rechartering of the Second Bank of the United States, claiming it was elitist and unconstitutional.

Specie Circular

Jackson's policy requiring land purchases to be made in gold or silver, which led to bank failures and the Panic of 1837.

Panic of 1837

An economic downturn caused by Jackson's financial policies, land speculation, and the overprinting of paper money.

Nullification Crisis of 1833

South Carolina's rejection of federal tariffs, particularly the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, leading to a confrontation with Jackson's government.

Force Bill (1833)

Legislation that allowed Jackson to use military force to enforce federal tariffs, though it was later replaced with a gradual tariff reduction negotiated by Henry Clay.

Indian Removal Act (1830)

Legislation that authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes to areas west of the Mississippi River, leading to the Trail of Tears.

Worcester v. Georgia

A Supreme Court case where the Court ruled that Georgia's laws did not apply to the Cherokee Nation. Jackson refused to enforce the decision, leading to the forced relocation of Native Americans.

Trail of Tears (1830-1850)

The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in the Southeast to Oklahoma, resulting in significant suffering and loss of life.

1840s Elections

Elections in the 1840s tailored toward appealing to the common man, exemplified by campaigns like the Log Cabin and Hard Cider Election of 1840.

Log Cabin and Hard Cider Election (1840)

The campaign for William Henry Harrison, emphasizing his strength and connection to the common man.

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the United States had a divine right to expand across North America, justifying the displacement of Native Americans.

James Polk

U.S. president who annexed Texas and led the nation during the Mexican-American War, advocating for expansion with the slogan "54 40 or Fight!".

Sam Houston and Texas Revolt

Sam Houston led Texan forces to victory against Mexican General Santa Anna, forcing him to recognize Texas' independence.

Polk's Annexation

The annexation of Texas and the subsequent border dispute with Mexico, leading to the Mexican-American War.

General Zachary Taylor

U.S. general who led forces in the Mexican-American War and used the slogan "American blood spilled on American soil" to justify military action.

Spot Resolutions (1846)

Proposed by Abraham Lincoln, these resolutions questioned the legitimacy of President Polk's justification for declaring war on Mexico.

Mexican-American War (1845-1848)

A conflict between the U.S. and Mexico that resulted in the U.S. acquiring vast territories through the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848)

The treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, with Mexico ceding territories including California, Nevada, and Utah to the U.S. for $15 million.

Gold Rush (1848-1849)

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California that led to a mass migration to the state, known as the '49ers.'

49ers

Migrants who came to California during the Gold Rush, including Americans, Chinese, Latinx, and Europeans.

Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

U.S. president who attempted to acquire Cuba through the Ostend Manifesto, but the deal was dissolved due to concerns about slavery.

Ostend Manifesto

A diplomatic strategy by U.S. diplomats to acquire Cuba from Spain, which was later abandoned due to slavery concerns.

Filibusteros

Southern slaveholders who attempted to acquire new territories to advance slavery, often through military means, such as William Walker's attempts in Nicaragua and Honduras.

Commodore Matthew Perry

U.S. Navy officer who opened trade relations with Japan in 1853, leading to the Treaty of Kanagawa.

Treaty of Kanagawa (1854)

The treaty that ended Japan's isolationism, opening its ports to American trade.

Purchase of Alaska (1869)

The acquisition of Alaska from Russia, initially called 'Seward's Folly,' which later proved valuable due to its resources.

Respectable Solution

The American Colonization Society's proposal to compensate slave owners and resettle freed slaves in Africa, leading to the creation of Liberia.

Abolitionists

Individuals, such as William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, and Harriet Beecher Stowe, who fought for the abolition of slavery.

Underground Railroad

A network of secret routes and safe houses used by enslaved people to escape to free states or Canada.

Nat Turner

Leader of a violent slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831, which led to harsh reprisals and tighter restrictions on slaves.

John Brown

Abolitionist who led violent confrontations, including the Pottawatomie Massacre and the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, in an attempt to incite a slave revolt.

Free Soilers

Antislavery Westerners who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories for economic reasons.

Wilmot Proviso (1846)

Proposed legislation to ban slavery in any new territories acquired from Mexico, which was opposed by Southern slaveholders.

Compromise of 1850

A package of laws that admitted California as a free state, allowed Utah and New Mexico to use popular sovereignty, banned the slave trade in Washington D.C., and enacted a stricter Fugitive Slave Law.

Personal Liberty Laws

Laws passed by Northern states to counter the Fugitive Slave Act, guaranteeing jury trials for slaves and preventing state officials from aiding in captures.

Stephen Douglas

Democratic senator who authored the Kansas-Nebraska Act, allowing settlers to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

Legislation that repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty to determine whether slavery would expand into Kansas and Nebraska.

Bleeding Kansas

Violent clashes between proslavery and antislavery settlers in Kansas, exacerbated by the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Pottawatomie Massacre (1856)

Led by John Brown, the massacre was a response to proslavery violence in Kansas, resulting in the deaths of five proslavery settlers.

Caning of Charles Sumner (1856)

A South Carolina congressman, Preston Brooks, physically attacked Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner after Sumner delivered an antislavery speech.

Sanford (1857)

Supreme Court decision that ruled enslaved African Americans were not U.S. citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in the territories.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

Debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during the Illinois Senate race, focusing on slavery and its expansion into territories.

Harper's Ferry (1859)

John Brown's failed attempt to raid a federal armory and start a slave rebellion.

Election of 1860

Abraham Lincoln won the presidency, leading to the secession of Southern states and the start of the Civil War.

Bull Run (1861)

The first major battle of the Civil War, resulting in a Confederate victory and proving that the war would not be quickly won.

Conscription Act (1863)

The first national draft in U.S. history, requiring men ages 20-45 to serve in the military, leading to riots in New York City.

Pacific Railway Act (1862)

Legislation that provided grants and loans to build the transcontinental railroad.

National Banking Act (1863)

Established a national banking system and a uniform currency to stabilize the economy during the Civil War.

Battle of Antietam (1862)

The deadliest battle of the Civil War, fought in Maryland with no clear victor, but it gave President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863)

President Lincoln's proclamation that freed slaves in Confederate states and allowed African Americans to join the Union army.

Battle of Gettysburg (1863)

A turning point in the Civil War, where the Union defeated the Confederates, forcing General Lee to retreat.

Siege of Vicksburg (1863)

Union victory that gave them control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two.

Wilderness Battles (1864)

A series of battles between General Grant and General Lee in northern Virginia, culminating in the Union's victory.

Election of 1864

President Lincoln was re-elected, despite opposition from Copperheads (Peace Democrats).

Appomattox Court House (1865)

The site where General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.

Respectable Solution

A proposal for monetary compensation for slave owners and resettlement of slaves in foreign lands.

Robert Finley

Founder of the American Colonization Society (ACS).

William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionist and organizer of the American Antislavery Society.

Frederick Douglass

Former enslaved person and prominent abolitionist.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Underground Railroad

A secret network of routes, safe houses, and people that helped enslaved people escape the South to free states or Canada.

Moses (Harriet Tubman)

A nickname for Harriet Tubman, who led many enslaved people to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

Nat Turner

Slave preacher who led Turner's Rebellion (1831) in Virginia.

John Brown

Abolitionist who led several violent confrontations and raids in the 1850s.

Pottawatomie Massacre (1856)

Known for the Pottawatomie Massacre (1856) and his raid on Harpers Ferry, where he attempted to arm enslaved people to revolt. He was convicted and executed.

Free Soilers

Antislavery Westerners who opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Wilmot Proviso (1846)

A proposal to ban slavery in any new territory acquired from Mexico after the Mexican-American War.

Compromise of 1850

A set of laws aimed at resolving tensions between slave and free states.

Fugitive Slave Law (1850)

A law that allowed federal officers to arrest runaway slaves without trial.

Personal Liberty Laws

Laws passed in Northern states to counter the Fugitive Slave Law.

Jury Nullification

A legal tactic used in Northern states where jurors would acquit accused runaway slaves regardless of the evidence, due to moral opposition to slavery.

Stephen Douglas

Democratic senator who supported popular sovereignty to decide whether slavery should expand into new territories.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

A law that allowed territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide the issue of slavery by popular sovereignty.

Jayhawks

Antislavery settlers who moved into Kansas following the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Border Ruffians

Proslavery settlers who moved into Kansas to vote for slavery and influence the territory's status.

"Bleeding Kansas"

A period of violent conflict in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces.

Caning of Charles Sumner (1856)

Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was attacked by South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks in the Senate chamber.

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

A Supreme Court decision in which Dred Scott, an enslaved person, sued for his freedom, but the Court ruled against him.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

A series of debates during the Illinois Senate race in 1858.

Harper's Ferry (1859)

A failed raid led by John Brown on a federal armory in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, to arm enslaved people and lead a rebellion.

Election of 1860

The presidential election where Abraham Lincoln won.

Civil War (1861)

The conflict between the Union and Confederacy following the secession of Southern states.

Conscription Act (1863)

A law passed by the Union to address soldier shortages during the Civil War.

Pacific Railway Act (1862)

A law providing grants and loans to the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads.

National Banking Act (1863)

Established a national banking system to stabilize the economy.

Battle of Antietam (1862)

The bloodiest single-day battle in U.S. history, fought in Maryland.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863)

Executive order by President Lincoln declaring all slaves in Confederate territory to be free.

Battle of Gettysburg (1863)

A pivotal battle in Pennsylvania that resulted in a major Union victory.

Siege of Vicksburg (1863)

A Union victory that gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union.

Wilderness Battles (1864)

A series of brutal clashes between Union General Grant and Confederate General Lee in Northern Virginia.

Election of 1864

Lincoln was re-elected for a second term despite opposition from Copperheads (Peace Democrats).

Appomattox Court House (1865)

The location where General Robert E. Lee of the Confederacy surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, effectively ending the Civil War.

Reconstruction (1865-1877)

The period after the Civil War focused on rebuilding the Southern states and integrating formerly enslaved people into society.