U.S. History: Civil War, Reconstruction, Gilded Age & WWI

How did the 3/5 Compromise help slavery continue?

It gave Southern states more political power by counting enslaved people in population totals.

What idea came from the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?

Nullification — states could reject federal laws they thought were unconstitutional.

Why did Jefferson call the Missouri Compromise a 'funeral knell' for the Union?

It increased sectional division between free and slave states.

How did tariffs increase sectionalism?

The North benefited while the South paid higher prices and felt exploited.

What was the Nullification Crisis?

South Carolina claimed federal tariffs were unconstitutional and threatened secession.

What was Nat Turner's Rebellion?

A slave uprising in Virginia that led to stricter slave laws.

What harsher law was part of the Compromise of 1850?

Fugitive Slave Act.

Why was Uncle Tom's Cabin important?

It turned many Northerners against slavery.

Who were abolitionists?

People who wanted slavery abolished.

Why was the Republican Party formed?

To stop the expansion of slavery into western territories.

What did the beating of Charles Sumner show?

Sectional tensions over slavery had become violent.

What did Dred Scott v. Sanford decide?

Black people were not citizens and Congress could not ban slavery in territories.

What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

It allowed territories to decide on slavery by popular sovereignty.

What was John Brown trying to do at Harpers Ferry?

Start a slave rebellion.

How did the South react to Lincoln's election?

Southern states began seceding from the Union.

What are the dates of the Civil War?

1861-1865.

Who was president during the Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln.

What choices did Lincoln have at Fort Sumter?

Surrender the fort or resupply it and risk war.

What event started the Civil War?

Confederate attack on Fort Sumter.

How did the North and South economies differ?

North = industrial; South = plantation agriculture/slavery.

How did the North and South manpower differ?

North had far larger population and army potential.

Why was the Civil War considered 'total war'?

Civilians, infrastructure, and economies were targeted.

What was the Emancipation Proclamation?

Lincoln's order freeing enslaved people in Confederate territory.

What was the deadliest Civil War battle?

Gettysburg.

Why was Vicksburg important?

Union gained control of the Mississippi River.

What was the effect of the Gettysburg Address?

Gave the war a moral purpose against slavery.

What was Sherman's March?

A scorched-earth campaign through Georgia.

When and where did the Civil War end?

April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

What are the dates of Reconstruction?

1865-1877.

What was Reconstruction?

Rebuilding the South and integrating freed African Americans into society.

What were the three Reconstruction plans?

Lincoln's Plan, Johnson's Plan, Radical Reconstruction.

What was Lincoln's 10% Plan?

States rejoined once 10% swore loyalty to the Union.

What was Johnson's Reconstruction Plan?

Southern states ratified the 13th Amendment with few protections for freedmen.

What was Radical Reconstruction?

Congress divided the South into military districts and expanded Black rights.

What were Black Codes?

Laws limiting African American freedom.

What was the Freedmen's Bureau?

Agency helping formerly enslaved people with food, education, and legal aid.

What are the Civil War Amendments?

13th, 14th, 15th Amendments.

What did the 13th Amendment do?

Abolished slavery.

What did the 14th Amendment do?

Granted citizenship and equal protection.

What did the 15th Amendment do?

Protected voting rights regardless of race.

Why did Reconstruction end?

Compromise of 1877 removed federal troops from the South.

How were Black voters restricted after the 15th Amendment?

Poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses.

What were Jim Crow laws?

Laws enforcing racial segregation.

What are the dates of the Gilded Age?

Late 1860s-1896.

How did immigration change during the Gilded Age?

Immigration massively increased and shifted origins.

What was tenement housing?

Crowded, unsanitary apartments.

What is nativism?

Favoring native-born Americans over immigrants.

How did industrialization affect workers?

Long hours, low wages, unsafe factory jobs.

Who were 'Captains of Industry'?

Powerful industrialists like Carnegie and Rockefeller.

Who was Andrew Carnegie?

Steel industry leader and philanthropist.

Who was John D. Rockefeller?

Founder of Standard Oil.

What did muckrakers expose?

Corruption, monopolies, unsafe working conditions.

How did the government handle railroad strikes?

Used troops and force to stop strikes.

How did ticket-system voting cause corruption?

Political machines could monitor and control votes.

What were political machines?

Organizations that traded services for votes and controlled politics.

What was the Progressive Era?

Reform movement addressing industrialization and corruption.

What were the goals of labor reformers?

Shorter hours, better pay, safer conditions, end child labor.

What was muckraking journalism?

Investigative reporting exposing corruption.

What was the Temperance Movement?

Movement to ban alcohol.

What did the 18th Amendment do?

Prohibition of alcohol.

What was women's suffrage?

Fight for women's right to vote.

What did the 19th Amendment do?

Guaranteed women voting rights.

What was Roosevelt's Square Deal?

Consumer protection, conservation, control of corporations.

What was Hull House?

Settlement house helping immigrants and poor families.

Who founded Hull House?

Jane Addams.

What was the Conservation Movement?

Protecting natural resources and land.

Why did food safety become an issue?

The Jungle exposed unsafe meatpacking conditions.

What food safety laws were passed?

Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act.

What did Plessy v. Ferguson decide?

'Separate but equal' was constitutional.

What is the NAACP?

Civil rights organization fighting segregation.

What was the role of third parties in the Progressive Era?

Pushed major parties toward reform ideas.

Why did the U.S. want Hawaii?

Strategic naval base and sugar interests.

What was the Spanish-American War?

War giving the U.S. overseas territories.

Why was the Maine explosion important?

It pushed the U.S. into war with Spain.

What is yellow journalism?

Sensationalized news reporting.

How was Roosevelt pro-imperialist?

Expanded U.S. military and influence abroad.

What was dollar diplomacy?

Using economic influence instead of military force.

What was the Roosevelt Corollary?

U.S. could intervene in Latin America.

What event started WWI?

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

What are the MAIN causes of WWI?

Militarism, Alliances, Imperialism, Nationalism.

Who was president at the start of WWI?

Woodrow Wilson.

What was Wilson's initial stance on WWI?

Neutrality.

Why did the U.S. join WWI?

Unrestricted submarine warfare and Zimmermann Telegram.

What new technology was used in WWI?

Airplanes, chemical weapons, U-boats, machine guns.

What was no-man's land?

Dangerous area between trenches.

How did Americans support the war at home?

Liberty Bonds, Victory Gardens, factory work.

What were Wilson's 14 Points?

Peace plan including League of Nations.

Which country was blamed most after WWI?

Germany.

How would you describe the 1920s?

Economic growth and social change.

What was Black Tuesday?

Stock market crash on October 29, 1929.

What caused the stock market crash?

Speculation and buying on margin.

What were the effects of the crash?

Bank failures, unemployment, business collapse.

Why did farmers struggle in the 1930s?

Overproduction and Dust Bowl.

What was the Great Depression?

Severe economic downturn.

What was Hoover's response to the Depression?

Limited government intervention.

How did FDR differ from Hoover?

Believed government should directly help people.

What was the New Deal?

Programs for Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

What were the effects of the New Deal?

Expanded federal government and restored confidence.

What were fireside chats?

Radio speeches explaining policies to Americans.

What are the dates of WWII?

1939-1945.