AP US History Requirements Vocabulary - Period 5

Sectionalism

Political parties began to align themselves geographically, with particular regions, rather than philosophically, especially in terms of slave states.

Seneca Falls Convention

In 1848 New York, this was the first women's rights convention where it adopted Declaration of Independence ideas, such as "equal rights for both men and women."

William Lloyd Garrison

This man began the publication of The Liberator. He did not go for compromise. He stood for the immediate abolition of slavery, and founded the American Antislavery Society.

Abraham Lincoln (before presidency)

Illinois Senatorial candidate who debated Stephen Douglas over slavery; This resulted in him becoming the Republican candidate for president in 1860.

Alamo

This Spanish mission saw a famous 1836 battle between the Texans and the Mexican army led by Santa Anna. Although all of the Texans perished at this location, their sacrifice gave time for other troops to intercept the Mexicans, and defeat them, at San Jacinto.

California Gold Rush, 1849

Discovery of a precious metal in late 1848 at Sutters Mill near San Francisco prompted this event in 1849.

Californios

The Hispanic residents in California who were afraid they'd lose their land to English-speaking immigrants, which they eventually did, either through corrupt business deals of outright seizure.

Compromise of 1850

This compromise was proposed by Henry Clay with California as a main focus, suggesting points such as California was to be brought in as a free state and divide Mexican Cession territory. It bought time for the nation in terms of slavery

Dred Scott v. Sanford (must have whole court case name on quiz)

This case involved a former slave who sued Missouri for his freedom. Court ruled that slaves were property and Congress did not have the power to deprive anyone of property, and displayed that slavery could exist anywhere despite legislation.

Election of 1860

This election was significant because it led to the election of the first Republican President and also to the secession of South Carolina.

Empresarios

Agents who received a land grant from the Spanish or Mexican government in return for organizing settlements.

Free Soil Party

This party created in 1848 did not demand the end of slavery; instead, they believed the West should be considered free territory as to where there would be no competition for labor. They also advocated free homesteads and internal improvements

John Brown's Raid at Harper's Ferry (his name is in the answer so you have to get the whole definition for credit)

In this 1859 incident, John Brown took over a federal arsenal in an attempt to acquire arms to supply slave uprisings in the South. Brown was hanged, and viewed as a villain by southerners and a martyr by abolitionists because of this.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

This new law produced much controversy in that it proposed that the new territory in the Midwestern area be divided into two different territories, where settlers were free to decide whether or not to allow slavery; it basically repealed the Compromise of 1820.

Manifest Destiny

This concept, developed by John O'Sullivan, was the ideological notion of expanding the western frontier to the Pacific Ocean.

Mexican Cession

Through this 1848 action the United States gained a vast amount of land in 1848, including California.

Mexican-American War

This conflict represents the first time the Americans fought a foreign nation to acquire territory.

Oregon Trail

An overland trail of more than two thousand miles that carried American settlers from the Midwest to new setllemens in Oregon, California, & Utah.

Popular Sovereignty

Lewis Cass proposed this solution, which suggested that allowance of slavery in a territory should be determined by a vote of the settlers in the territory. This idea produced much controversy when put into action, as with the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Republican Party

This party was founded as a direct result to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and grew under Lincoln. The party were united in their opposition to slavery in the territories, but was fine with it continuing in the old slave states. It grew as the second largest party, but its success alienated the South because of it being a strictly northern party

Santa Fe Trail

Founded in 1822, this route was the first international trail from the US to Mexico. The trail began in Missouri and ended in New Mexico. It was also the route used by the US military during the American invasion of New Mexico in 1846.

States' Rights

Political powers reserved for state government vs. the federal government. This was based on 10th amendment; these powers are granted if an official document does not give the power to the federal government.

Stephen Douglas

Senator from Illinois who ran for president against Abraham Lincoln. Wrote the Kansas-Nebreaska Act and the Freeport Doctrine (slavery should not exist where voters of a territory who do not vote for it).

Tejanos

Spanish speaking people born in Texas. Joined the US soldiers fighting for Texas' independence.

Texas Revolution (1835-1836)

War between Texas settlers and Mexico from 1835-1836 resulting in the formation of the Republic of Texas.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

This agreement ended the Mexican-American War and established the terms for the sale and concession of western lands such as California.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

This book, written by H. B. Stowe, focused on a conflict between a slave and the brutal white slave owner. Many slave owners were in turn seen as cruel, while Southerners denied any truths in the book.

Wilmot Proviso

In this namesake proposition, a senator suggested that all land acquired as a result of the Mexican-American war should be off limits to blacks—whether slave or free. Needless to say, this infuriated both southerners and abolitionists and did not pass.

Abraham Lincoln (Pd. 5, Week 2 & 3) - Please, please don't miss this!!!

This president served from 1861-1865 as oversaw the greatest internal conflict in United States history. He is often venerated for his work in pushing to preserve the Union.

Anaconda Plan

This was the name given to the Union's plan to defeat the Confederacy in the war that lasted from 1861-1865. The plan focused on controlling the Mississippi River, blockading Southern ports, and capturing Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy.

Antietam

This 1862 battle in Maryland was the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, and after it President Lincoln promised to give the Emancipation Proclamation

Appomattox

In April of 1865, General Lee surrendered the Confederate Army at this location.

Battle for Atlanta

Battle for railroad hub in the South; Confederate troops abandoned the city and Union troops proceed to burn city down and move southward towards Savannah.

Bull Run (Manassas)

This was the first major battle of the Civil War and was also known as 1st Manassas. (give the other name - it already says Manassas in the question)

Confederate States of America

Thirteen southern states seceded from the Union, and in turn formed this loosely structured country that they referred to by this name.

Copperheads

This was the nickname given to those members of the Democratic party that advocated for peace in the conflict following the Southern secession. They were against the draft, martial law, and generally disapproved of Lincoln.

Emancipation Proclamation

This document was put into effect in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, as a result of moral, militaristic, and diplomatic motivation. It stood for freeing all slaves. However, it was nowhere near effective in that many states did not put it into practice.

Fort Sumter

The first shots of the Civil War were fired at this location in Charleston, SC.

Gettysburg

This battle in 1863 lasted over several days was the most deadly battle. Its significance lies in the many lives lost and it being the last Confederate push into North Pennsylvania.

Gettysburg Address

Pres. Lincoln's oft-quoted speech, delivered at the dedication of the cemetery at Gettysburg battlefield and to honor the deceased soldiers. In the address, Lincoln framed the war as a means to uphold the values of liberty.

Homestead Act

This act in 1862 was a part of the Republican legislation in the North; it allowed people to apply for a land grant for land in the western territories, as long as they improved the land and made use of it.

James Buchanan

He served as president from 1857 until 1861. His actions were blatantly pro-Southern and rather than helping to reduce sectional conflict in the US he probably did more to increase conflict.

Jefferson Davis

This man was the president of the Confederacy, fought in the Mexican-American War, a former Mississippi Senator, and was Secretary of State for Franklin Pierce.

Legal Tender Act

The Congress authorized this act to create paper money not redeemable in gold and silver. It was done in order to finance the Civil War, and was responsible for "greenbacks."

Morrill Land Grant

This act allowed for the creation of land grant colleges, which would teach military tactics, engineering, and agriculture. One of the more known results of this act is Pennsylvania State University.

Morrill Tarriff Act

This act in 1861 implemented one of the highest tariffs in history and raised rates to protect and encourage industry and the high wages of industrial workers; it was also part of the Republican legislation.

National Bank Act

Created a new national banking system. Existing or newly formed banks could join the system if they had enough capital & were willing to invest 1/3 of it in government securities. In return they could issue US Treasury notes as currency. Eliminated much of the chaos & uncertainty in the nation's currency & created a uniform system of national bank notes.

Peninsular campaign

Botched Union attempt to capture the capital Richmond by circumventing the Confederate army by sea early in the war.

"Preserve the Union"

This was President Lincoln's declaration to keep the country together, which he did through multiple means such as suspending habeas corpus.

Robert E. Lee

He was the most prominent military commander of the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

Sherman's March (to the Sea)

This 1864 campaign resulted in the burning down of much of Atlanta, which in turn "reinvigorated" the North. Politics were turned in favor of Lincoln's reelection as a result.

Shiloh

Confederate forces surprised Union troops & drove them across the Tennessee River; Union troops received backup and won the battle, but it was one of the most bloody battles in the Civil War.

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

Confederate general known for his fearlessness in leading rapid marches, bold flanking movements, and furious assaults. He earned his nickname at the Battle of First Bull Run for standing courageously against Union fire. He was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville from friendly fire.

Ulysses S. Grant

This Civil War General that served as the head of the Union Army and became president during the Reconstruction. He was infamous for scandals such as the Whiskey Ring and Credit Mobilier.

Vicksburg

Union victory in this 1863 battle allowed the North to gain control of the last remaining Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River.

William Tecumseh Sherman

This general's march in 1864 resulted in the burning down of much of Atlanta, which in turn "reinvigorated" the North. Railroads, farms and useful supplies to the Confederates were burned to the ground. Politics were turned in favor of Lincoln's reelection as a result. (The person not the march is the answer)

13th Amendment

This amendment officially abolished slavery and continues to do so and was adopted in 1865. Lincoln saw the Emancipation Proclamation as more temporary, while this amendment seemed more permanent.

14th Amendment

This amendment declares that all citizens are guaranteed equal treatment and protection under the law; it serves as the basis for all modern civil rights laws.

15th Amendment

This amendment insures black males the right to vote; however, several different attempts were made after this amendment to deny blacks their voting rights, including poll taxes.

Andrew Johnson

This president followed Abraham Lincoln after Lincoln's assassination. He fought with Congress on how to bring the South back to the Union. He was impeached for breaking the Tenure of Office Act.

Andrew Johnson's Impeachment

This event happened when the 17th president was voted to go to trial for removal by the House of Representatives for violating the Tenure of Office Act. Ultimately, he was saved when by one vote the Senate did not remove him as president.

Black Codes

Laws passed by southern states after the Civil War (but not after Reconstruction) denying ex-slaves the complete civil rights enjoyed by whites and intended to force blacks back to plantations and impoverished lifestyles.

Carpetbaggers

Men from the North who came to the South to help freedmen or to make money off of the South. Their name comes from the material of their luggage.

Civil Rights Act (1866 & 1875)

This type of act in 1866 declared all persons born in the U.S., except Native Americans, to be citizens and gave them basic rights. Congress would later ensure that the rights could never be revoked by passing the 14th Amendment. Another act like this was passed in 1875 but weakened by Supreme Court Cases like the Slaughterhouse Cases.

Compromise of 1877

Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President as a result of this agreement in which the "Southern Redeemers" regained control of the South and military rule in the South subsided.

Field Order 15

This was a military order issued by Sherman during the Civil War and called for confiscation of land in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, which would be divided among freed slaves ("40 acres & a mule"); this order immediately followed Sherman's March to Sea.

Freedman's Bureau

This organization sought to educate the newly freed blacks during the Reconstruction period and help provide basic needs such as food, clothing, job skills, and housing.

Jim Crow Era

This was a time when state and local laws were enacted after Reconstruction to enforce racial segregation in the Southern United States.

John Wilkes Booth

This man was Abraham Lincoln's assassin. He was an actor who was pro-Southern.

Ku Klux Klan

During the Reconstruction this organization terrorized the newly freed blacks, seeking to reduce their newly gained rights and often times killing or harming them.

Presidential Reconstruction

This was a type of Reconstruction plan. One of these plans formulated by Lincoln did not punish Southern states too harshly in order for them to rejoin the Union; it called for a percentage (10%) of former voters in the South to swear allegiance to the Constitution. Andrew Johnson also had his own type of Reconstruction plan.

Radical Reconstruction / Congressional Reconstruction

Period beginning in 1867, when the Republicans, who had control in both houses of Congress, took charge of Reconstruction. The Radical Republicans passed four Reconstruction Acts in 1868: (1) ratify the Fourteenth Amendment; (2) write new state constitutions that guarantee freedmen the right to vote; (3) form new governments to be elected by all male citizens including African Americans.

Radical Republicans

Republicans in Congress took control of Reconstruction policies after the election of 1866. Their methods and this era is referred to as this, in that they were extreme in the measures the South had to take to be readmitted to the union, and in that they were very open to African-American policies that encouraged their growth and ease.

Reconstruction

This time period lasted from 1865-1877 and involved the rebuilding and transformation of the Southern United States. During this time the South changed its system of labor and was organized into 5 military districts.

Reconstruction Act

This act was supplemented by three acts passed by Congress that divided the former Confederate states into five military districts under the control of the Union, and made the requirements for reentering the Union more strict.

Rutherford B. Hayes

This president won the election of 1876 by negotiating the Compromise of 1877, which granted him victory in the election, but ended the Reconstruction in the South.

Scalawags

These were Southern whites, mainly small farmers, who supported the Republican party during the Reconstruction.

Second Inaugural Address

This speech by Abraham Lincoln asked for unity in the country and a chance to bring the South back into the Union "[w]ith malice toward none, with charity for all...to bind up the nation's wounds."

Sharecropping

In this process poor farmers, mostly African Americans, would work for a land owner in order to grow crops. The land owner provided the farmer with land, seed, housing and tools and in return asked for nearly ½ of the potential harvest.

Union League

This was a group of men's clubs that was formed during the Civil War to promote loyalty to the North, Republican Party and the policies of Abraham Lincoln. After the war, they promoted and mobilized freedmen in the South to vote and to vote Republican.