Studied by 34 peopleManifest Destiny
Belief that Americans had a god given right to expand across the Northern Continent.
Settlement of Texas by Mexicans and white Americans
After Mexico gained independence from Spain, it encouraged Americans to come settle. Many Americans who moved to Texas used slavery, however, Mexico eventually outlawed slavery, which led to a rebellion by the Americans and Texas eventually became an independent republic.
Texas Republic 1836
Created after Texas declared its independence from Mexico. It wasn’t recognized officially by Mexico, but was by the United States
Question of annexation for Texas
Many Americans were interested with the expansion of America, specifically by annexing Texas, mainly Southerners. But the North was uncomfortable with adding a new state, especially one with the potential of turning into a slave state. It was demanded by democrats that Texas was added because the North wanted to add Oregon.
Eventually a War broke out between Mexico and America, leading to the acquisition of South-Western lands, causing Texas to be annexed by America.
Presidential Politics: Whig Party
Opposed the Democratic Party. Supported a strong federal government, tariffs, internal improvements, a national bank, and industrialization. Disbanded due to disagreements on slavery.
Presidential Politics: Goals and frustrations of Martin Van Buren, John Tyler, James K. Polk
Van Buren and Tyler were both frustrated by partisan politics. Polks main goal was expansion, he started the Mexican American War.
Settlement of Oregon: 54°40’ promise
When Russia (and Britain) gave up land claims South of the 54º40 parallel giving the United States partial access to Oregon and its resources.
Mexican-American War: Opposition to the war
While most Democrats approved of the war, most in the Whig party disapproved of it and saw it as unnecessary land grabbing and an invasion of a neighboring nation that had barely been around.
Mexican-American War: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
It ended the Mexican-American War and led to the official annexation of Texas into the United States.
California Gold Rush: settlement of California 1700s-1840s
Word of gold in California had been spread, causing the moving of thousands to the area in attempt to find prosperity. While many found nothing, they never ended up moving back to where they came from, with the new inhabitants setting up farms after settling, it enabled faster population growth.
California Gold Rush: Social and economic impact
It drew people from different areas, creating a diverse society, however, Natives were negatively impacted as conflicts brewed. The rush boosted California's economy by attracting entrepreneurs who started businesses for miners. Mining thrived, creating jobs and wealth.
Expansion into the Pacific and Japan
America wanted to expand its presence in the pacific, eventually leading to the U.S contacting Japan about potential trade, eventually a treaty was made with Japan that opened up trade between the two Nations.
Time period, causes, settlement location, and other key features of immigration from: China
Caused by Opium War and Civil wars (in China), they worked in Hawaii for low wages and many went to California due to the gold rush, mostly-men went to the Americas and they stayed for 2-3 years (hopes to find wealth for their family).
Time period, causes, settlement location, and other key features of immigration from: Ireland
Main cause was the Irish potato famine (1845-1851), mostly families moved, settled in cities, worked in low wage labor, treated unfairly by “native Americans”(white Americans).
Time period, causes, settlement location, and other key features of immigration from: Germany
Main cause was political unrest and economic hardship. Families settled in the midwest, introduced German traditions such as beer, and Christmas trees.
Nativism and Know-Nothing Party
Nativism prioritizes native americans (white Americans) over immigrants. The Know-Nothing Party was a 19th-century political party that advocated for nativist policies. They aimed to restrict immigration, particularly from Catholic countries, and reduce immigrants political power.
Experiences of Mexicans and Native Americans in the West and Southwest
Mexicans faced land loss, forced labor, and segregation due to the Mexican-American War. Native Americans were forcibly removed, lost their lands, and were assimilated in boarding schools. They both faced racism, economic exploitation, and limited opportunities. Natives and Mexicans were far more peaceful with each other than whites to Natives.
Slavery in the 19th century: Proslavery ideology
Many Southerners followed a pro-slavery ideology of trying to justify the practice by saying it was good, a lesser evil, or that it helped African Americans. Many said that it was good for the economy, even though only a small amount profited.
Slavery in the 19th century: Conditions for enslaved people
They endured forced labor, physical abuse, and limited freedom. Living conditions were crowded, unsanitary, and they lacked proper housing, healthcare, and education. Slavery continued to place African Americans as lesser
Slavery in the 19th century- Means of resistance: Underground Railroad, revolts and rebellions
Enslaved peoples would often revolt against their owners either on a minor or large scale. Usually they would purposely break tools or work slow, but sometimes they would resort to harming or even killing their owners. White American in the North often aided the escape of slaves with underground railroads, transporting them to safety. Revolts and rebellions were often executed by slaves as a large scale attack, however, they often failed and led to worsened conditions being put upon slaves.
Abolitionism: American Anti-Slavery Society
It fought for immediate emancipation and the abolition of slavery. Through campaigns, and raising public awareness, it played a crucial role in advocating against slavery.
Abolitionism：Connection to women’s rights movement
The movement aided in women seeing how they were being treaty by men, often having their ideas on abolition shut down or not listened to by men, it sparked ideas within women that they also deserve better treatments and rights.
Political sectionalism：Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a failed amendment to prohibit slavery in Mexican-American War territories. It heightened tensions between the North and South and foreshadowed the Civil War.
Political sectionalism: Compromise of 1850 and Fugitive Slave Act
The Compromise of 1850 resolved tensions in the US by admitting California as a free state, organizing Utah and New Mexico territories, abolishing the slave trade in Washington D.C., and strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act. The Fugitive Slave act required people to return escaped slaves to their owners, even in free states, worsening the divide and leading to the Civil War.
Political sectionalism：Kansas-Nebraska Act, popular sovereignty, and Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas-Nebraska Act allowed for Kansas and Nebraska to be brought into the U.S and introduced popular sovereignty (which is where the states people decided if the state would be free or slave, not the government). Eventually Bleeding Kansas occurred, which was the fights between pro and anti-slavery groups. It deepened conflicts.
Political sectionalism：Republican Party
The Republican Party was founded to oppose slavery and promote African American rights.
Political sectionalism: Dred Scott decision
Dred Scott was a slave who had been taken to and lived in a free territory for years, so he claimed that he should be free. The Supreme Court ruled that he was still considered a slave (invalidating the Missouri Compromise), and that African Americans could never be considered citizens. It furthered the divide between those who were pro and those who were against slavery.
Political sectionalism：Lincoln-Douglas debates
Focused on the issue of slavery. The debates influenced public opinion and aided in Lincolns eventual election, but stopped Douglas in growing his career.
Political sectionalism：John Brown
He was an abolitionist who supported violent methods to abolish slavery. He attempted to raid an arsenal, arm slaves with weapons, and lead a slave revolt at Harpers Ferry, he was killed and the revolt failed, but his message moved people. Some said he was way to radical, others said he was a martyr for abolitionists.
Lincoln’s election 1860
Lincoln's election pushed certain Southern states to secede and eventually lead to war. Creating a turning point in the United States.
Southern secession and Fort Sumter
Certain Southern states attempted to secede due to Lincoln's election in order to protect slavery where they live, this included South Carolina. Fort Sumter in South Carolina needed supplies, but Confederate forces blocked them. Lincoln chose to resupply the fort rather than evacuate it, which led to Confederate forces attacking it, starting the war.
Convinced many Southerners they had to succeed because they were afraid of abolitionists and what they would do to end slavery.
Strategies, advantages, and disadvantages of Union and Confederacy
The Union aimed to preserve the U.S and had a larger population, a superior navy, control over most resources, and a large economy. However, they faced challenges fighting on unfamiliar territory, conquering large areas, and dealing with political divisions.
The Confederacy wanted to secure independence and maintain their way of life. They had skilled military leaders, strong motivation, and the ability to fight defensively. But they had a smaller population, no established government, and they had a small economy.
The Union had the advantage in resources and manpower, while the Confederacy relied on defensive tactics and committed soldiers.
Key battles (focus on impact): Antietam
South’s attempt at getting Britains attention, failed because a soldier accidentally dropped the plan, leading the the North knowing their plans, leading to the South failing to get recognition. Bloodiest single day war. It was a draw - Giving Lincoln a reason to go forward with the Emancipation Proclamation
Key battles (focus on impact): Gettysburg
Destroyed part of the Confederate army, they never regained the offense. Bloodiest battle (50,000) casualties) —> created a cemetery where the battle took place.
Key battles (focus on impact): Sherman’s March
Sherman’s March to the beach, he went from Tennessee to Georgia to North Carolina burning everything in his path. Destroyed the South and their morale
Key battles (focus on impact): Appomattox
South surrendered, a few days later Lincoln was assassinated. Changed reconstruction plans, much less lenient.
Road to emancipation: Contrabands
Runaway slaves taken as contraband to the union army, many joined the union army and were not sent back to the south.
Road to emancipation：Emancipation Proclamation 1863
Undid fugitive slave act, encouraged slaves to escape. Union army freed slaves in areas they liberated from Confederacy. While it didn’t free slaves immediately, it sparked the new cause of the war which was the abolishment of slavery.
Road to emancipation: Black soldiers in Union army
Originally escaped slaves went into the union and were taken as contraband, but as the war progressed, segregated units were created for African Americans to become soldiers.
War on the home front: Inflation and bread riots (South)
The South was totally destroyed due to the war, there was large economic struggle. Massive inflation due to the war costs and sending out money. Women got mad because there was no bread and they rioted.
War on the home front: New York Draft Riot
White American in NY (particularly the Irish) rioted because they didn’t want to be drafted in the army and didn’t want to fight to end slavery due to them fearing freed blacks would take their jobs.
Impact of the war: Deadly new technology
Lead to the use of soft-shelled bullets that would shatter upon impact, getting stuck in whoever they hit and shattering their bone. Lead to infection and usually death.
Impact of the war: Women’s roles
In the Union they went to work in factories. They dressed up to either fight as men, or they worked as spies during the war. Volunteered army supplies, and aided in battle through nursing.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Goals and policies
It aimed to quickly restore the Southern states to the Union, granting pardons to former Confederates, and establishing new state governments.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Thirteenth Amendment
It is what officially abolished slavery in the U.S. Slavery could only be used under certain circumstances, such as a punishment for criminals.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Black Codes
They were laws passed by Southern states to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans, it aimed to maintain white supremacy and control over the newly freed peoples.
Presidential Reconstruction (1865-1866): Radical Republicans
The Radical Republicans advocated for better and stronger measures to ensure civil rights for freed slaves and punish the South.
Congressional/Radical Reconstruction (1867-1877): Goals and policies
Their goals were to ensure civil rights for freedmen, reconstruct Southern states, punish Confederate leaders, establish Republican dominance, and to secure voting rights for African Americans.
Congressional/Radical Reconstruction (1867-1877): Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments
The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship to black people, and the Fifteenth Amendments granted voting rights regardless of race, color, or previous conditions of servitude.
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments: Responses by women’s rights advocates
Women’s rights activates took the Fifteenth Amendment harshly. They saw black men getting the right to vote, and with many women seeing themselves as being “superior” because of their race, they believed they should also gain voting privilages.
Congressional/Radical Reconstruction (1867-1877): Voting and Black political leaders; schools; sharecropping
Black Americans began to branch out into new fields due to gaining an education from schooling. They sought jobs in the government and spoke out against inequality. Sharecropping is where freedmen would work on lands in exchange for a share of crops (this was a corrupt system which led to many freedmen being put into a circle of debt).
Redemption (1876-1890s): Opposition to Black rights
White supremacists such as the Ku Klux Klan, used violence to oppose Black rights post-Reconstruction. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, marginalized African Americans, and tactics like poll taxes and literacy tests limited the freedoms and in some cases stopped Black voters from voting.
Redemption (1876-1890s): Ku Klux Klan
The Ku Klux Klan was a white supremacist group that used violence and murder to intimidate African Americans and those from the union
Redemption (1876-1890s): Jim Crow segregation
It enforced segregation in public places, transportation, schools, housing, and limited voting rights for African Americans.
Dates to Learn
Missouri Compromise - 1820
Mexican-American War - 1846 - 1848
Compromise of 1850
Lincoln elected - 1860
Civil War - 1861 - 1865
Reconstruction - 1865 - 1877
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