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How did the English empire in America expand in the mid-seventeenth century?
Through mercantilism, the English grew wealthy from more exports over imports, with the promotion of national power through economic control of world trade, in addition to a constant flow and development of goods.
How was slavery established in the Western Atlantic world?
The English often saw natives as alien peoples, “where the concept of ‘race’ and ‘racism’ weren’t fully concrete.” While Indian populations were wiped out, there was a need for labor on plantations, so Africans were used instead; it was seen as a last resort because all else had failed.
What major social and political crises rocked the colonies in the late seventeenth century?
The Glorious Revolution, the Maryland Uprising, Leisler’s Rebellion, and the Salem Witch Trials were all social and political crises that heavily affected the colonies and caused changes/shifts in power and societal norms.
What were the directions of social and economic change in the eighteenth-century colonies?
The colonies became places for religious growth and diversity, the native land was demolished and used for economic prosperity, and large cities and communities were developed — this attracted many immigrants/new settlers.
How did patterns of class and gender roles change in eighteenth-century America?
Over time, the structure of colonies became more prominent, distinctive social classes began to appear (poor vs. wealthy), women worked very hard, and cultures started to develop, yet it was all a growing society of freedom.
“Prejudice by itself did not create slavery.” How did economic forces, events, and laws shape the experiences of enslaved Africans in the colonies?
Rising demand for goods caused a need for both labor and land. In order to sustain these requirements, colonies looked to slavery as a rapid, efficient solution to maintain wealth and increase prosperity.
How did enslavement of Africans differ regionally in eighteenth-century North America?
There were three distinct slave systems in the eighteenth century: tobacco-based slavery in the Chesapeake, rice-based plantation slavery in South Carolina and Georgia, and nonplantation slavery in New England and the Middle Colonies. It was during this time when race started to become more prominent.
What factors led to distinct African-American cultures in the eighteenth-century?
Different African-American cultures developed due to a variety of slave establishments. In the Chesapeake, slaves started to learn white culture, the sex ratio balanced, and families developed. In South Carolina and Georgia, there was a low birthrate, but slowly an African-based culture developed (names, language, etc.). And lastly in the North, African-based culture was slow with limited stable family life opportunities and more white culture.
What were the meanings of British liberty in the eighteenth-century?
Liberty meant that no one, not even the king, had power above the law. Instead, it was the people that had equal rights to freedom, though it was only economically independent white men who held this.
What concepts and institutions dominated colonial politics in the eighteenth-century?
Ownership of property, the right to vote, self-governing colonies, elected assemblies, freedom of speech, freedom of the press (dangerous), religious beliefs like Deism, and other political/social reforms came into America during the eighteenth century.
How did the Great Awakening challenge the religious and social structure of British North America?
As the Great Awakening spread, ideas spread of how one could directly connect with God without ministers, anyone could reach salvation (even women, the poor, enslaved, etc.), and new denominations started to form, such as Methodists and Baptists.
How did the Spanish and French empires develop in the eighteenth-century?
While on paper, the Spanish empire was vast and large, establishments actually had low populations. Still, Father Junípero Serra spread their culture throughout the land, including mingling with Indians. Meanwhile, the French began spreading in Canada and up north, though their growth was slightly suppressed by the British.
What was the impact of the Seven Years’ War on Indian-white relations?
It united Indians between one another and British with each other, but formed large divisions between the Indians and British themselves. The British continued to spread within native land and intensified control over Indians. They also broke alliances and became more unfriendly, which escalated conflict.
What were the main characteristics of the three distinct slave systems found in Britain’s mainland colonies?
Chesapeake: tobacco-based plantations in hierarchies with plantation owners on top, followed by yeoman farmers, indentured servants, and slaves. South Carolina/Georgia: rice-based plantation with many slaves and much land to maintain. New England/Middle Colonies: less slaves who had more freedom, and generally house servants with small landowners.
How did the colonists’ sense of a collective British identity change during the years before 1764?
British colonists hadn’t yet seen themselves as American, but still English. They took pride in their British heritage because Great Britain was one of the strongest, advanced, most free nations, and was united under a common law and common language, plus it was nationally powerful.
How did a distinctive African-American collective identity emerge in the years prior to 1763 and what was the role that slave rebellions played in that process?
While African-Americans came from diverse locations, their bondage through slavery united them. They started to connect through rebellion and the overthrow of landowners, and culture began to develop with family names, language, architecture, etc.
What were the roots and significance of the Stamp Act controversy?
Due to the Seven Years’ War, Great Britain was greatly in debt. Therefore, to relieve this issue more, Parliament decided to raise taxes directly in the colonies (rather than regulate money through trade), because they believed the colonies had a duty to contribute money for the cause — with the Stamp Act.
What key events sharpened the divisions between Britain and the colonists in the late 1760s and early 1770s?
The Stamp Act (raised taxes), the Townshend Acts (taxes on imports), the Boston Massacre (armed confrontation between British/crowd), the Boston Tea Party (revolt on tea taxes), the Intolerable Acts (political reinforcement by British), and other imposed laws/policies that disrupted colonial flow.
What key events marked the move toward American independence?
The formation of the Continental Congress (council of colony members), the battles of Lexington and Concord (skirmishes between Americans/British), other conflicts such as the Battle of Bunker Hill, the raising of the Continental Army (American forces), and the new pamphlet “Common Sense”.
How were American forces able to prevail in the Revolutionary War?
Britain made grave mistakes (misjudged American nationality and capacity of citizen-soldiers), the Battle of Saratoga (unintentional separation of British forces), and international aid from France and Spain in support of American independence and British overthrow.
How were colonists both unified and divided at the time of the Revolution?
Colonists were unified in their hatred of raised taxes and their desire for American independence, however were divided by their opinions on fully breaking away from Great Britain and the resistance to the taxing of imports.
How did the actions of British authorities helped to unite American colonists during the 1760s and 1770s?
In general, the raised taxes on the colonies through the Stamp Act, the Townshend Acts, the Tea Act, and other enforced policies made colonists extremely angry and drove them to greater unity.
What were the reasons for enlisting or not enlisting slaves by each side in the conflict, and what became of slaves who fought in the war?
Slaves were barred the ability to fight for the American colonists from a Federal law in 1792, so some joined the British side after escaping. In general, though, slaves joined whichever side promised them liberty or freedom resulting from the war, so they were often split.
How did equality become a stronger component of American freedom after the Revolution?
Freedom, liberty, and equality were all ideas explored post-Revolution. Requirements regarding who could vote and hold office both decreased, leading to more political opportunities for the general people. The government was also established as a democratic republic.
How did the expansion of religious liberty after the Revolution reflect the new American ideal of freedom?
With the Bill of Establishing Religious Freedom by Thomas Jefferson in 1779, many religions opportunities opened up. It eliminated religious requirements in voting, stopped government funding of churches, separated the church with the state, and made it so that no faith was forced upon anyone by the state.
How did the definition of economic freedom change after the Revolution, and who benefited from the changes?
There were less indentured servants and slaves (in the North) and they benefited from the new economic freedom. Adam Smith spread ideas of the free market being better than a government-controlled economy through the Wealth of Nations. Then, the war had caused mass inflation with the rapid rise of nation-wide prices to goods.
How did the Revolution diminish the freedoms of both Loyalists and Native Americans?
Loyalists either left the United States voluntarily or were banished, but for those that remained their promised land wasn't returned. Natives were forced to give up most of their territory and no one helped them; freedom meant defending their current independence and land.
What was the impact of the Revolution on slavery?
The emancipation, the breaking down, of slavery developed as the system was slowly abolished. This was a result from the war “only being made possible by slavery of Blacks.” As a consequence, free Black communities began to form.
How did the Revolution affect the status of women?
Women were still seen as inferior and submissive, therefore didn't gain much political say or influence. However, they did play a role in the new republic by training future citizens with the additional idea of republican motherhood, the expansion of women’s roles.
How did the Revolution alter the colonial social order?
Generally, older social hierarchial structures were challenged as ideas of true independence and liberty spread. More democratic views grew with more representation in government, different land ownerships, and economic opportunities. Roles of slaves and women changed too.
What were the connections between ideas of political freedom and ideas about economic rights?
The idea of holding political power meant also having a stable level of economic and financial security, which consequently looked like having the right to vote, freedom of speech, and owning property, all whilst maintaining stable economic relations with the rest of society.
How did the popular views of property rights prevent slaves from enjoying freedoms of the social contract?
The slaves throughout the colonies were still seen as property rather than individuals, and not having the intelligence or rights to self-govern themselves or be independent, which excluded them from rising ideas of liberty and freedom.
What were the achievements and problems of the Confederation government?
The primary achievement was the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 by the Confederation government, which appropriately distributed Northwest land and established five new states. However, this government system couldn’t tax the people (poor funding), maintain a nationally-unified military, enforce laws and policies, regulates land disputes, and overall manage the United States in a nationally strong way.
What major disagreements and compromises molded the final content of the Constitution?
There was much debate about the representation in Congress. Specifically, larger states wanted population representation, small states wanted equal representation, and Southern states wanted slave population representation. These issues, overall, led to the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan being compromised, in addition to the Three-Fifths Clause/Compromise, all in regards to national state representation. This also opened up political ideologies of federalism and checks and balances, political power.
How did Anti-Federalist concerns raised during the ratification process lead to the creation of the Bill of Rights?
Anti-Federalists were worried that the Constitution would give the federal government too much power and not protect the rights and freedoms of the people. They advocated for a document outlining the basic rights of all people, which ultimately led to the creation of the Bill of Rights, or the Amendments. Therefore, when the Constitution was eventually ratified, the Bill of Rights was included.
How did the definition of citizenship in the new republic exclude Native Americans and African-Americans?
While citizenship supposedly applied to “the people”, it wasn’t clear who “the people” were. Generally, this included white men, where white women and other less wealthy people were partially included. However, Native Americans weren’t considered to be citizens, but were instead seen as barbaric savages. African-Americans were slaves and seen as not human, and even free Blacks were viewed as unfit for society. These two minorities were drastically excluded for the privileges of citizenship.
What were the ideas and motivations that pushed Americans to spread West?
The concept of “manifest destiny”, the idea that expansion was a God-given right, in addition to opportunities like economic growth, personal freedom, nationalism, political/social influence, and other granted land expansion acts encouraged Western migration in the United States.
How was the Constitution a “bundle of compromises”, and what were those compromises?
The Constitution split up political power amongst the states according to population representation (Virginia Plan) and equal representation (New Jersey Plan) with the House of Representatives and the Senate, which benefited all states in some way. Secondly, the Constitution’s key points generally appealed to and benefited each state.
What were the arguments given in support of the Constitution by Federalists?
Federalists declared that the Constitution protected the people’s rights with the government’s division of powers and checks and balances, maintaining a strong national security while keeping the will of the people.
What were the arguments given in support of the Constitution by Anti-Federalists?
Anti-Federalists declared that the Constitution too much disrupted national power and threatened the rights of the people, due to a lack of state authority and too much representation of the average citizen.
What issues made the politics of the 1709s so divisive?
There was political debate over what the federal government would look like (democracy and citizen-influence), specifically regarding national debt, economic policies, and foreign/worldwide relations. These conflicts led to a divide in parties between Federalists and Republicans, in addition to other political organizations like the Democratic-Republican societies.
How did competing views of freedom and global events promote the political divisions of the 1790s?
The French Revolution with its ideals of citizen equality influenced American politics, ongoing European conflicts including France and Great Britain affected American positions on whether to be alliances or remain neutral, the Alien and Sedition Acts in 1798 which deepened political divide between parties, slave rebellions such a as the Haitian Rebellion and Gabriel’s Rebellion that altered slave relations in politics and liberty, and other conflicts which greatly impacted division within the United States.
What were the achievements and failures of Jefferson’s presidency?
Jefferson’s primary achievement was the Louisiana Purchase, which gave much more land to America, in addition to the reduction of taxes and national debt, which greatly unified and strengthened the nation. However, Jefferson’s failure was the Embargo Act and handling of international dispute, because it ultimately harmed America’s economy more than its intended targets. He generally, though, built up the United States, despite grave mistakes.
What were the causes and significant results of the War of 1812?
Impressment and the British forcing American sailors into their military, restrictions on international trade across the seas, and a desire for westward and northern expansion for the Americans were the causes of the War of 1812. From the War, though, there were drastic feelings of nationality, economic growth, the end of the Federalist Party, a strengthened militia, and the Treaty of Ghent.
What were the major parts of Hamilton’s financial plan and why did it inspire such passionate opposition?
The most prominent parts of Hamilton’s proposition were: debt being taken care of by the federal government, the establishment of a national bank, and tariffs on certain goods to encourage internal manufacturing — ideas of which were both heavily supported or opposed to due to its drastic effect on current politics.
What were the causes for the demise of the Federalist Party?
The Federalists just slowly lost political power over time when their president wasn’t elected, especially when Jefferson won the election against Adams, and they generally lost their political voice too.
How did the United State get involved in foreign affairs from 1791-1815?
Through the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, American tried to remain neutral, yet they slowly got pulled into trade internationally though the Jay Treaty, XYZ Affair, the Louisiana Purchase, and Embargo Act.
What were the main elements of the Market Revolution?
The Market Revolution was the shift from agrarian societies to industrialized ones. This was with developments in transportation through human-made canals and steamboats, in addition to railroads and trains across the country. Furthermore, advancements in technology through inventions like the cotton gin were prominent.
How did the Market Revolution spark social change?
The Market Revolution led to an expansion of cities throughout the United States, which was prompted by the development of the factory system in society, a tight machine and industrial-based process for the rapid production of goods. Here was also the rise of mill girls, woman involvement in society through factory work, despite grueling hours and demands. The growth of immigration was also an effect of these developments, as people from Europe, like the Irish and Germans, moved to America.
How did the meanings of American freedom change during the Market Revoultion?
Ideas shifted from more traditional views to ones of individualism and self-growth economically and politically. What was once inherited and predetermined became goals to climb the social ladder through hard work and skill for money. There was also more intention in expression and religious freedom with spiritual growth, as the Second Great Awakening caused dramatic change in American society.
How did the Market Revolution affect the lives of workers, woman, and African Americans?
It created new opportunities for work in factories and large-scale industrial systems. However, for women and African Americans, their economic opportunities began to fall. Woman stereotypes and gender roles declined and led to much suppression, as they were confined to lower-class jobs. African Americans were faced with major discrimination and were looked down upon as unable to be a part of society.
What were the major transportation improvements during the Market Revolution and how did they influence the economy?
Developments in canals linked many cities through waterways, which increased trade, in addition to railroads across America, which allowed for the easy transportation for goods and people across the country.
How did the state and local governments promote the national economy during the Market Revolution?
These governments invested in transportation methods like canals and railroads in their states. They also contributed to land expansion towards the West through grants and charters to individuals and private organizations and companies.
How did westward expansion and the Market Revolution drive each other?
The desire for new land resources was a motivation for the development of the nationwide market and industrialization, as well as efficient transportation all across the United States.
How did immigration play a role through the Market Revolution?
Immigration helped to provide for the demand of cheap labor of factories, which ultimately expanded the economy greatly, but it also caused for social tensions between different groups and classes about freedom and independence.
What were the social bases for the flourishing democracy of the early-mid nineteenth century?
With the Jacksonian Democracy and presidency, there was emphasis on political involvement and contribution by ordinary citizens, though this was limited to the suffrage to only white men. Gender (women) and racial (African American) differences expanded with rights cut off for those groups, however, so while Democracy was growing, it still excluded many people.
What efforts were made to strengthen the economic integration of the nation during the nineteenth century, and what major crises hindered these efforts?
Two parts of the American System went into effect: the Second Bank of the United States (the nation’s unified financial system) and tariffs on imported goods (products were were produced in America). The government-funded production of railroads and canals was not put into effect, however, due to fear of national government tyranny. The Panic of 1819, though, was a financial crisis resulting from loans by the national bank that couldn’t be repaid, which was bankruptcy.
What were the major areas of conflict between nationalism and sectionalism?
Nationalism and sectionalism were both forms of political growth, unity, and strength, yet their methods greatly differed. Nationalism was primarily focused on development within the country and expansion of internal systems, while sectionalism was about national growth through outward expansion and colonizing/conquering foreign lands. Both of these methods contrasted.
In what ways did Andrew Jackson embody the contradictions of democratic nationalism?
Andrew Jackson advocated for the rights and political liberties of the people, the common white man specifically. However, what appeared contradictory was his extreme oppression of natives and forceful removal of them from their homeland. So, while ideals of expanding democracy and suffrage were prominent, there were also others who lost these rights.
How did the Bank War influence the economy and party competition?
The Bank War impacted the financial security of the American nation, which ultimately resulted in the Panic of 1837. It also led to the removal of the Second Bank of the United States and introduction to pet banks. Additionally, the conflict solidified the opposition from the Whig Party against the bank, further dividing the people into distinctive groups — an anti-bank section of the Democratic Party was established too.
How much was the expansion of white male democracy against the ideals of the founders, who believed government should be sheltered from excessive influence from ordinary people?
With the growth of white male democracy, the common white man had political influence and could vote. This was a drastic expansion of democratic ideals, as prior to this established system, belief was that the wealthy, well-educated, and superior individuals would solely govern the nation.
What were the components of the American System and how were they designed to promote the national economy under the guidance of the federal government?
The American System was prompted as a strong, united method for society; it was made up of a proposition of the national bank to regulate finance, the introduction to tariffs protecting manufacturing, and control of road/canal funding by the federal government.
How did the Missouri Compromise and nullification crisis demonstrate increasing sectional tensions and disagreements over slavery?
The Missouri Compromise was an official establishment to divide free and slave states geographically, and the nullification crisis was a conflict of the justification of opposing federal laws — these things both contributed to the divide between states on belief and slavery.
What were the key issues and beliefs that divided the Democratic and Whig parties?
Democrats were more focused on nationalism and self-regulating economies by the people. Whigs, however, desired centralized unity under ideals of the American System, which better reflected sectionalism.
How did slavery shape social and economic relations in the old South?
There were distinctive hierarchical societies with large plantation owners as the wealthy on top, followed by normal common farmers and citizens, then lastly enslaved people on the bottom. This created racial, gender, and social divide between groups. Primarily, this was stemming from focus on large-scale agricultural production for cotton to provide for the great demand of the crop.
What were the legal and material constraints on slaves’ lives and work?
Slaves were considered property and could be bought and sold easily. They also had few legal rights, and were offered limited freedoms, like in regards to movement. They were forbidden from being educated, owning firearms, testifying in court against whites, owning property, making contracts, striking whites, and more. Slaves also had poor living conditions, were threatened and violated by their owners, and often in danger of being separated from family.
How did family, gender, religion, and values create a distinct slave culture in the old South?
It created a distinctive slave culture, which provided a sense of security, identity, and resistance against the oppression they faced. With unity in marriage and family ties, unrestricted gender roles, commonly shared beliefs with Christianity and African roots, and other collective traditions and systems, slaves were able to remain strong, hopeful, and unified in an otherwise demeaning society.
What were the major forms of resistance to slavery?
In addition to largely-organized rebellions and running away, slaves commonly resisted through “day-to-day resistance”/”silent sabotage”. These were small acts of defiance, such as working slowly and inefficiently, breaking tools, abusing animals, and overall sabotaging the flow of plantations. These minor actions gave slaves some sort of power and control over their lives.
How can slavery be considered a national system, versus a regional, economic, and political system, even as Northern states abolished slavery by the 1830s?
The Northern states benefited from slave labor because of their drastic integration in cotton trade, and much of the nation depended on the Southern-produced goods anyway, which would be heavily disrupted if slavery wasn’t to exist.
Why did most poor white Southerners support the institution of slavery and accept the power of the plantation class over them?
It prevented the “plain folk” from losing their power, since in this hierarchical system, they were higher up than Black slaves, so it was in their best interest to have plantation owners on their side through the unity under the slave system.
What were the major movements and goals of antebellum reform?
The greatest movement was abolitionism, which fought against the institution of slavery. Another prominent movement was feminism, which advocated for women’s rights. On the side, however, was also the temperance movement on alcohol, the educational reform, change in prisons and asylums, the development of utopian communities, religious and moral reform, movements for labor and work, and many more.
What were the different varieties of abolitionism?
There was radical abolitionism, which was support for the immediate end to slavery, often involving moral suasion and use of public media (like speeches and pamphlets), and fighting for the rights of Blacks. Contrary to that, however, was gradual abolitionism, the slower emancipation of slavery, which better reduced hard resistance and used the government to promote certain laws. In general, though, there was resistance all over through politics, religion, military/force, colonization, and other methods.
How did abolitionism challenge barriers to racial equality and free speech?
It challenged existing stereotypes and restrictions on equal rights for Blacks through the exposure of slave cruelty and living conditions, as well as violent or symbolic resistance. Additionally, the use of media, through publishing newspapers and pamphlets plus holding public meetings with speeches, helped with the spread of abolitionism ideas and the speaking out for equality.
What were the diverse sources of the antebellum women’s rights movement and its significance?
The use of stereotypical gender roles, the Second Great Awakening, abolitionism, the temperance movement, legal inequalities, transcendentalism, industrialization, utopian communities, and other existing things contributed to the women’s rights movement, which then gained traction through events like the Seneca Falls Convention, ultimately fighting for more equality and rights.
How was racism present even in the abolitionist movement, and what were the steps abolitionists took to fight racism in American society?
Racism was present through paternalistic attitudes, reluctance to advocate for full equality, exclusion of Blacks, and the promotion of colonization, but this was resisted by centering Black leaders’ voices, spreading truthful awareness, challenging segregation, and highlighting equality.
How was white women’s participation in the abolitionism movement push them to a new understanding of their own rights and oppression?
It exposed existing inequalities and challenged gender norms while truly giving these women a political stance, voice, and leadership role throughout ongoing movements, which further developed and contributed to future reform.
What were the major factors contributing to U.S. territorial expansion in the 1840s?
The primary factor was manifest destiny, the belief that it was the United States’ divine right to spread out all across America. However, this expansion was also fueled by economic opportunities, political influence, a desire for military advantages, technological/transformational improvements, and conflicts over land with the annexation of Texas and the Mexican-American War.
Why did the expansion of slavery become the most divisive political issue in the 1840s and 1850s?
It touched on a lot of topics, such as economic interests, moral beliefs, political power, and social structure. There were generally wide, varying beliefs within these topics between the North and South, so while there were often attempts to politically compromise, they were often temporary or outright failed. The build-up of tension eventually led to such sectional division that the Civil War broke out and the nation formally split.
What combination of issues and events fueled the creation of the Republican Party of the 1850s?
The Republican Party was a combination of anti-slavery groups. It was influenced by a shared belief against slavery, the collapse of the former Whig Party, the upbringing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the Fugitive Slave Act, and abolitionism growth. This party was so unified because of its connected focus on anti-slavery movements.
What enabled Lincoln to emerge as president from the divisive party politics of the 1850s?
Other than the collapse of the Democratic Party and rise of the Republican Party, weak political opposition, Abraham Lincoln was able to win as president because of his strong debate skills (as prevalent in the Lincoln-Douglas debates), moderate stance on slavery (he was opposed to the growth of the institution), and effective campaigning strategies to get favor from the North and abolitionists - he was also just well-known and popular.
What were the final steps on the road to succession?
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, succession of South Carolina (which was eventually followed by six other states), formation of Confederate states and government, attempt to last-minute peace with the Crittenden Compromise, and the attack on Fort Sumter were final steps to secession and eventually the Civil War between states of the North and South in the American nation.
What was the doctrine of manifest destiny, including both material and idealistic motivations?
Materialistic views included economic opportunity, access to natural resources, trade/commerce, and land. Idealistic views included it being a divine right from God, the spread of democracy, civilization of people, and cultural superiority. Both ideologies were interconnected, though.
How did western expansion affect the increasing sectional tensions between the North and South during the period 1840-1860?
Tension arose from whether the Missouri Compromise was still eligible with the Mexican-American War opening up land, The Compromise of 1850 trying to dispel strain, though it led to “Bleeding Kansas” and the rise of the Republican Party, in addition to being influenced by the Dred-Scott Decision.
What were the ways the Market Revolution contributed to the rise of the Republican Party, especially in regards to how those economic and political factors served to unite groups in the Northeast?
The economy changed (free labor opportunities), opposition to growing slavery expanded (anti-slavery beliefs and abolitionism), support arose for tariffs (reliance on trade), infrastructure grew (better interconnection through transportation), and an overall changing social platform and system.
What was the Slave Power and why were northerners threatened by it?
The Slave Power was the theory that wealthy Southern slaveowners were gaining a tight hold on the federal government, which made northerners fearful of political imbalance, a growth of slavery, economic/moral change, and Southern dominance.
Why is the Civil War considered the first modern war?
It was the first major conflict to utilize advanced technologies like railroad transportation, telegraph communication, and drastically improved firearms/weapons. This scale of war was beyond anything seen before with its fast-paced speed, massive organization of armies, and great number of casualties. Much of this was influenced by the Market Revolution and Industrial Revoution.
How did a war to preserve the Union end up being a war to end slavery?
President Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 was the first direct mention to slavery in the Civil War and turned the tide towards the Union. Since it demonstrated a change of the goal of the war to ending slavery, rather than just retrieving seceded states, it really got slaves more involved in the war itself. As an initial military strategy, it motivated slaves to escape the Confederacy to fight for the Union.
How did the Civil War transform the national economy and create a stronger nation state?
The Civil War strengthened the North by industrializing it through mass production of weapons/textiles/machinery, increasing federal power with raised taxes and a stronger economy, and overall unifying it under a shared abolitionist belief. As the South declined, the national identity of the United States expanded with the shared experiences of the war, introduction of new Amendments, and growth of citizenship and equality.
How did the war effort and leadership problems affect the society and economy of the Confederacy?
Due to the war, the Confederacy had to deal with widespread inflation, food shortages, economic decline, and lowered moral/support. More impactful, though, was the abolition of slavery post-war, which forced the South to rebuild everything from a society originally built upon the institution of slavery, leading to people needing jobs and the government having to find a work-around to world trade blockages.
What were the military and political turning points of the war?
The Battle of Gettysburg and the Battle of Vicksburg heavily shifted the tide of the war in favor of Union forces by taking control of the Mississippi River out west and effectively stopping Confederates from advancing further. Additionally, the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 was a form of declaration that the war was one about slavery, which ultimately helped to gain support from the people and motivated the slaves in the South to fight for the Union.
What were the most important war-time “rehearsals for Reconstruction”?
One of the most impactful war-time “rehearsals for Reconstruction” were the Sea Islands Experiments. This established slaves into a free labor system where they gained the opportunity to form their own communities, test out ideas of self-regulation and land distribution, develop social structure and status, and find the hand of the federal government in their affairs. This policy was very successful and helped to support the future Reconstruction era.
What is a supportive argument of the statement: “The North’s victory over the South was closely tied to the different ways the Market Revolution developed in the two regions”?
During the Market Revolution, while the South was steady-dependent on slavery, the North rapidly expanded and made advancements industrially, technologically, and economically, which ultimately gave them an upper hand later in the Civil War.
What were the ways Lincoln’s war aims evolved between 1861 and 1863, and why did his aims evolve in this way?
Lincoln’s view shifted from a goal of unity under the Union to a goal to abolish slavery through the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation, which was the case originally used as a military strategy, but eventually growing into a greater motivation.
How much did the actions of slaves themselves, Northern military strategy, and the Emancipation Proclamation contribute to ending slavery?
It significantly contributed to the abolition of slavery because of a greatly unified North society and strength in shared beliefs, with additional shifting sides from the South to North, and support from slaves themselves in terms of military gains.
How were the efforts of women in the North and South to support the war effort and their families different?
With their husbands going off to war, women of the North began to campaign for the war effort and raise money/goods for the army, while in the South women were forced to fill the shoes of a slaveowner.
What visions of freedom did the former slaves and slaveholders pursue in the postwar South?
Former slaves wanted their freedom primarily through land as that was the representation of freedom, independence, and autonomy, the ability to live their lives on their own. They also wanted more rights, such as being able to vote. Former slaveholders, however, were still in search of labor on their plantations to provide financial security, but also were finding ways to limit Blacks’ freedom to maintain their dignity and white supremacy.
What were the sources, goals, and competing visions for Reconstruction?
The main goals were to reintegrate seceded Confederate states back into the Union and give social equality to former slaves. Within this, however, was division over whether Southern members should be welcomed quickly, punished for their disobedience and actions, or given back opportunities or not. Furthermore, there was debate over Blacks in terms of whether they should vote, what rights they should have, whether they should be a part of society or not, and overall what to do with their population.
What were the social and political effects of Radical Reconstruction in the South?
There was widespread involvement for the Black community, including the rights to vote (in some places), access to education, civil rights, and other forms of representation. Unfortunately, with these massive changes came much backlash and defiance, especially from whites, coming in the form of violence and intimidation by the newly formed organization known as the Ku Klux Klan. Overall, there was great change in positive and negative ways.
What were the main factors, in both the North and the South, for the overthrow of Reconstruction?
In the North, there was growing apathy to the issue of racial equality, anxiety over the economy and politics, and exhaustion over the demands of Reconstruction. In the South, violence erupted in some white supremacist groups (Ku Klux Klan), there was fighting over reclaiming control on the government, and generally lots of resistance towards the changes brought about by Reconstruction. These tensions eventually led to a compromise in the 1876 election.
What did former Confederate general Robert Richardson mean in 1865 when he said: “the emancipated slaves own nothing, because nothing but freedom has been given to them”?
Essentially, the Emancipation Proclamation and Amendment set slaves free and gave them some rights, but it didn’t provide them with land or resources needed to become independent and make a living, which prevented them from really becoming free.
