Manifest Destiny
Belief that the US had a "mission" to expand westward across North America (by gods will???)
Manifest Destiny - Factors
1) Population Growth Much population centered towards east coast, densely populated
2) Economic Development Needed more room for agriculture, factories, manufacturing, etc...
3) National Culture Dominance of White people
- believed they were superior and White culture was destined to expand around the continent.
Manifest Destiny - Examples
1) Texas: Mexico gets independence from Spain, 1821.
- Territory includes Texas.
- Tries to attract Americans to move there to develop economy/society
- Debates over slavery and religion worsen relationship.
2) Oregon Territory
- Claimed by different powers; Americans, British, Russians; Spanish
- Biggest disagreement = Americans and British
- Fur (British) vs. Americans (explorations)
Texas Revolution
1835-1836.
Texas achieves independence.
- Since denied statehood (debates over expansion of slavery)
Texas Revolution dates
1835-1836
James K. Polk - Manifest Destiny Campaign (3)
"1) "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight"
- Wants land below 54 degree 40' line or will fight
2) Texas annexed (added to US)
3) Treaty with British to divide Oregon territory at 49th parallel."
Mexican-American War - Causes (2)
1) American desire for more territory in Southwest/West controlled by Mexico
2) Border disputes with Texas
- Americans wanted border at Rio Grande river
- They disagree, so Polk invades
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
1848
"A) United States takes possession of New Mexico and California (basically all of Southwest)
- Known as Mexican Cession (giving up of rights, property, territory by a country""
B) Texas border placed at Rio Grande
- Key question = slavery Wilmot Proviso
- Proposal to ban slavery in new territory acquired from Mexico
- Fails in Senate (a lot of democrats from south)"
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo date
1848
Mexican Cession
Giving up New Mexico and California to US.
Mexican American War - Effects on people (2)
1) Mexican-Americans
- Many Mexicans now found themselves in US territory. Forced to adjust to culture.
- E.g White Americans = Protestant, Mexican-Americans = Catholics
2) Native Americans
- Many Native Americans also in US territory now.
- Would lead to conflict later in 19th century, as land becomes settled by Americans.
- Forced adjustments to culture
Free-Soil Party
Political party formed round making slavery illegal.
Popular Sovereignty
Allowing people to decide by vote.
Compromise of 1850 (4)
Cause: division between North and South over slavery in new territories. Proposed by Henry clay
1) Admit California as a free state
2) Divide remainder of Mexican cession territories + decide slavery by popular sovereignty
3) End slave trade in Washington DC (but not ownership)
4) Adopt new Fugitive Slave Act (1850) - Return slaves who escaped and returned them to the state that owned them.
Fugitive Slave Act
1850
Return slaves that escaped back to the states that owned them.
Fugitive Slave Act date
1850
Gadsden Purchase
1853
Small piece of present-day Arizona and New Mexico - US purchased from Mexico to build railroad.
Ostend Manifest
Document that outlined reasons to purchase Cuba from Spain.
Kanagawa Treaty
1854
With Matthew Perry
- opens ports in Japan to trade with US.
Second Wave of US Immigration (2 + Result)
2 Major groups:
1) Irish
- Fleeing potato famine
- Were catholic (challenged dominance of protestantism)
2) Germans
- Many were farmers
- went to Midwest.
Common themes: both Germans and Irish settled amongst their own ethnic groups.
- Preserve culture.
Result: Opposition to immigration starts.
- Mainly about religion difference (Catholicism vs. Protestantism)
- Fears about job competition.
- Limit political power of immigrants. C
alled: Nativism
Nativism
Supporting the wants and needs of US citizens, over the immigrants.
Slavery Debate Groups (3)
Group 1: Anti-Slavery
Group 2: Abolitionists
Group 3: Pro-Slavery
Anti-Slavery
Mainly in North + a little in south
- Opposed current existence of slavery but not really for ending it immediately
- Some moral concerns.
- Economic Argument (Slavery = inefficient and damaged free labor markets for whites)
E.g Impending Crisis Of The South.
Impending Crisis Of The South
Argued that slavery was incompatible
Abolitionists
Mostly African Americans + some whites Wanted to completely eradicate slavery.
- Helped escaped slaves Harriet Tubman
- Underground Railroad Uncle Tom's Cabin
- Cruelty of the slavery system
Pro-Slavery (2 Main Arguments)
Mainly slaveholders and Southern Whites
1) Slavery = Positive social good
- E.g Economic Prosperity
2) Slavery = Part of State's rights
- Slaves = property
E.g George Fitzhugh - Sociology for the South (Argued that free wage system competition was worse for African Americans than slavery)
- Opposed equal rights for "unequal" individuals.
Sociology for the South
George Fitzhugh
- Example of Pro-Slavery Argued that free labor system competition was worse for African Americans than slavery.
- Opposed equal rights for "unequal individuals"
Kansas-Nebraska Act
1854
More westward Expansion
- Nebraska Territory
- Nebraska and Kansas
Both territories above 36 deg. 30' line in Missouri Compromise.
Opened both territories up to popular sovereignty on issues of slavery.
- Nebraska: Free
- Kansas: Debates
- Result: Bleeding Kansas (first “micro” civil war)
Kansas-Nebraska Act date
1854
Bleeding Kansas
1854-1959
Series of violent political and social conflict due to debate over whether Kansas should be free or slave state.
Know-Nothing Party
- Main platform: anti-immigration
Republican Party
Main agenda: anti-slavery + anti expansion of slavery.
Composed of: anti-slavery Whigs + Democrats + Abolitionists + Free-Soilers
Lecompton Constitution
1859
Document drafted by Pro-Slavery advocates in Kansas to try to enter Kansas as a slave state.
- Didn't have popular support from Kansas Settlers
Lecompton Constitution date
1859
Dred Scott v. Sanford
1857
Dred Scott = Slave in Missouri who lived on free-soil, and then returned to Missouri.
- Captured and sent back to slavery. - Sued Sanford for freedom based on time spent on free-soil
But (4)
- Dred Scott didn't have rights to sue (Constitution: African Americans are not citizens)
- Congress cannot deprive people of property, slaves are property
- Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional because it deprives people of property north of 36 degree 30' line.
- Therefore a lot of states are being ""unconstitutional"" in theory.
Result: Infuriates antislavery supporters + abolitionists and pleases Southern Democrats
Dred Scott v. Sanford date
1857
John Brown
Led raids in Virginia (Harpers Ferry) to steal weapons.
- Objective: give weapons to enslaved African Americans in Virginia to encourage rebellion.
- Unsuccessful.
Constitutional Union Party
Ignored issues of slavery
- combination of Know-Nothing and undecided Whigs/Democrats
Confederate States of America
Established in 1861
- comprised of South/Southeast States.
- Last chance to keep union together = Crittenden Compromise
Crittenden Compromise
Last effort to keep union together.
Create amendments guaranteeing right to hold slaves South of Missouri compromise line.
Opposed by Republicans/Lincoln.
Fort Sumter
Civil war starting battle.
Southern surround Fort Sumter, and fire on Union troops trying to get supplies.
Differences between Union and Confederacy (Military, Economic, Political)
1) Military:
- Massive gap between population (22m in Union, 5.5 in Confederacy)
- Still had a defensive war
2) Economic:
- More industrialized in North
- South = largely agriculture (also counted on European help, due to their demand for cotton)
3) Political:
Union: Maintain current US
Confederacy: Maintain Independence + and slavery.
Anaconda Plan
Union strategy to strangle South economically and militarily.
Civil War - Eastern Vs. Western
Eastern: number of victories for Confederacy (surprising)
- First Battle of Bull Run (First official battle of the war)
- Second Battle of Bull Run (led by Robert E. Lee)
- Antietam (bloodiest single day battle of civil war)
Western:
- Union is more successful
- Led by Ulysses S. Grant
- Key Battle = Shiloh
Foreign Affairs During Civil War (1)
Remember, Confederacy wanted Europe, especially Britain to intervene and help them in the war.
Almost happened after Trent Affair
- Union navy captured British soldiers at sea
- However, ultimately didn't intervene (Britain found cotton from other sources)
Trent Affair
Union navy captures British soldiers at sea
- Almost gets Britain involved in war.
Civil War - Turning points (2)
West: Vicksburg (May-July 1863)
- Union capture city of Vicksburg and take control of Mississippi River
East: Gettysburg (July 1863)
- Union stop confederate advancement to the North; Lee retreats to Virginia.
Sherman's March To The Sea
William Tecumseh Sherman
- Captures Atlanta, then marches toward Atlantic Ocean destroying everything in his path.
Example of Union beginning to stop confederacy in Virginia.
Appomattox Court House
Battle where Robert E. Lee surrenders (Union is victorious)
Emancipation Proclamation
Issued after Antietam
- Announces all slaves in Confederate states are free.
- Shifts priority of war to freeing slaves.
Massachusetts 54th Regiment
Following victory of union and Emancipation Proclamation Army regiment made up of only African Americans
Gettysburg Address
1863
- Lincoln gives speech in Gettysberg, honoring soldiers who died for the war. Ideals are worth dying for.
Key Areas of Change During Civil War [Political] - Civilians
- Civil Liberties (fundamental rights)
a) Suspension of "Habeas Corpus" (especially in Pro-Confederate areas)
- Led to arrests without informing of charges
- Can arrest people without having reason
b) Draft
- All men 20-45 had to serve if called upon
- Results: led to some opposition to war in North (esp. Democrats)
- Those who wanted immediate peace = Copperheads
Key Areas of Change During Civil War [Economic] - Civilians
- Key question: How to pay for war
- Result: raised taxes (introduction of first income tax)
Prior: Taxes only from tariffs, now income tax.
Copperheads
Those who wanted immediate peace
Morill Land Grand Act
(1862)
Gave land to states who could then sell land to raise taxes from land. Then used for educational institutions.
Morrill Land Grand Act date
(1862)
Pacific Railway Act
(1862)
Authorized building of transcontinental railroad over a northern route.
- Result: mass modernization of Northern economy.
- Further the economic/infrastructure gap.
Pacific Railway Act date
(1862)
Reconstruction
1863-1877
Key question: How to handle conditions in South after civil war.
- Led to period referred to as "Reconstruction"
Reconstruction time period
1863-1877
Reconstruction under Lincoln (3)
Lincoln plan = Leniency/forgiveness towards all.
1) Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (1863)
- Pardon confederates who took oath of allegiance to Union (loyalty)
- Accepted freeing of slaves
- Could rejoin union when 10% of voters took oath of allegiance
2) Wade-Davis Bill
- Republicans response to Lincoln leniency in South
- Republicans in Congress oppose proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (Instead wanted 50% of voters to take loyalty oath before rejoining union)
3) Freedman's Bureau
- Agency to provide shelter/food/medical supplies for both White and Black Americans in the South.
- Also provided education
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction
1863
Allowed confederate states to be accepted/forgiven if they took:
1) "Oath of allegiance" to prove loyalty to Union.
2) Accepted freeing of slaves
Would be accepted if 10% of voters took loyalty oath.
Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction date
1863
Wade-Davis Bill
Republicans response to leniency in South Republicans in Congress oppose Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction (1863)
- Instead of 10%, 50% of voters had to take oath of allegiance before rejoining union.
Freedman's Bureau
- Agency providing shelter/food/medical supplies to both African Americans and White in the South.
- Also provided education.
Radical Republicans (+ reconstruction [3] )
A faction (group) of republicans who advocated for civil rights and equality.
Included:
1) 13th Amendment (1865) = Abolishes slavery in the US
2) Civil Rights Act of 1866 = Pronounced all African Americans as US citizens and therefore are all entitled to equal protection under law.
3) 14th Amendment
a) Declared all persons born in US are citizens.
- Created a US magnet for people all around the world
b) All citizens were to receive
1) Equal protection of law
2) Due process of the law (fair chance and a fair trial under judicial/legal system)
13th Amendment + date
1865
- Abolishes slavery in the US
Civil Rights Act of 1866
- All African Americans are US citizens and therefore are allowed/entitled to equal protection under law
14th Amendment + date
1868
- Allowed for any person born in the US to be considered a US citizen.
- Initially making US a magnet for people all around the world - All citizens were to receive.
1) Equal protection of the law
2) Due process of the law (fair chance and fair trial under judicial/legal system)
Tenure of Office Act
- Disallowed president from removing government official without senate approval.
Civil Rights Act of 1875 (2)
- Guaranteed African Americans equal treatment in public spaces, transportation.
- Prohibited exclusion from jury service
15th Amendment + date
1870
Prohibited denial of right to vote based on race and color
Hiram Revels
African Americans were elected to state governments.
- Election of African Americans to congress
Blanche K. Bruce
African Americans were elected to State government.
- Showing election of African Americans to Congress
Scalawags
Southerners who helped and supported reconstruction policies
Carpetbaggers
People who saw destruction of south as a way to benefit economically
- Northerners who came to South after Civil War for personal gain (profit from destruction)
Reconstruction In South - African Americans (3)
1) Political: African Americans were voted to state government
- Blanche K. Bruce
- Hiram Revels
2) Cultural: Church becomes center for African Americans
3) Social: Increased enrollment in schools
Reconstruction - Continuation of White Supremacy (4)
1) Klu Klux Klan
- Organization designed to intimidate African Americans and keep them from using their newly gained rights.
2) Election of former confederates to state government and federal governments.
- Confederates = pro slavery
3) Black Codes
- Nickname for policies that restricted African American rights. E.g:
- Not being able to rent land or borrow money to buy land.
- Requirement to present proof of employment
4) Sharecropping
- New system of labor that developed after end of slavery.
- Landowners provided land in exchange for percentage of crop yield.
- Kept farmers in a cycle of debt
Klu Klux Klan
Organization which prevented African Americans from exercising their new rights.
Organization designed to intimidate African Americans.
Black Codes
- Series of policies/laws/loopholes which restricted the rights of African Americans.
- Varied from state to state:
Example:
- Cannot rent land or borrow money to buy land
- Requirement to show proof of employment.
Sharecropping
New system of labor following end of slavery.
- Landowner provided land in exchange for share of crop yield.
- Kept laborers in a cycle of debt.