Chapter 18: Renewing the Sectional Struggle (1848-1854)

Lewis Cass

Prominent American politician and military officer known for his advocacy of popular sovereignty

• wanted to appease both pro-slave and anti-slave factions

Popular Sovereignty

The principle suggesting settlers of a territory should determine its own status regarding slavery

tensions, violence

Popular sovereignty led to local decision-making which led to increased ? and even ?

• Bleeding Kansas was a direct result of Popular Sovereignty

Free Soil Party

A political party formed in 1848 that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories

• advocated for free soil for free men

dialogue, slavery, Republican

the Free Soil Party were significant to influencing national ? over ?

• contributed to the formation of the ? Party

California Gold Rush

period of time where thousands of Americans flocked to California in search of gold at Sutter’s Mill

• 49ers

economy, society, demographics, urbanization

the California Gold Rush transformed California’s ?, ?, ?

• led to rapid ?

Harriet Tubman

Iconic figure in the fight against slavery renowned as the conductor on the Underground Railroad

• Born a slave herself

• Acted as a spy and scout during the Civil War

Underground Railroad

a network of safe houses and routes that helped enslaved African Americans escape to their freedom

resistance, Civil, social

Harriet Tubman represented the spirit of ?

• inspired future movements for ? rights and ? justice

Daniel Webster

An American statesman who delivered the 7th of March Speech in 1850, an address during the debates surrounding the Compromise of 1850

• argued for preservation of the Union

traitor, federal, states’

Daniel Webster was seen as a ? by the Northern abolitionists due to his beliefs of preserving slavery to keep the Union together

• represented the nature of ? vs ? rights

Compromise of 1850

series of legislative measures that aimed to resolve the issues surrounding slavery in the Mexican Cession

• admit California as a free state

• included Fugitive Slave Act

temporary, long-run

The Compromise of 1850 was seen as only a ? solution and failed to resolve any tensions in the ?

Fugitive Slave Law

critical component of Compromise of 1850 that strengthened the legal framework for capturing and returning escaped enslaved individuals

• those who attempt to help slaves escape would also be punished

maintain, abolitionist, tensions

The Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 was designed to ? the Union by balancing the power between the North and South

• ironically, added to both the pro-slavery and ? movements

• added to already-existing ?

Franklin Pierce

14th president of the US who marked a period of escalating tensions over slavery

• supported expansion of slavery into new territories

• endorsed Kansas-Nebraska Act

diminished, Republican

Franklin Pierce’s support of the expansion of slavery ? his popularity, particularly in the North

• the large amount of hate against Pierce contributed to the rise of the ? Party

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

Treaty between US and Great Britain that established that neither country would seek exclusive control of the canal between North and South America

• ironically, America would eventually establish the Panama Canal

British, imperialism

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty prevented ? dominance in Central America

• highlighted the complexities of US-British relations in their competition for ?

Ostend Manifesto

Document that outlined the US rationale for the acquisition of Cuba

• suggested the US should take Cuba by force if Spain refused to sell it

influence, Caribbean, North, slavery

The Ostend Manifesto reflected America’s desire to spread its ? into the ?

• sparked outrage in the ? because it suggested the expansion of ?

Treaty of Kanagawa

Treaty between US and Japan that officially ended Japan’s era of isolation (Naval officer Matthew Perry scared the Japanese into accepting with American naval forces)

• opened ports to American trade in Japan’

• compelled Japan to engage with the Western world

military, diplomatic, Asia

The Treaty of Kanagawa highlighted the US’s strategy to utilize its ? to achieve ? goals

• represented America’s growing influence over ? in the 19th century

Gadsden Purchase

An American purchase from Mexico that included parts of present-day Arizona and New Mexico

• costed America $10 million

• many debated over slavery’s expansion into the new territories

sectional, Manifest Destiny, continental

the Gadsden Purchase contributed to rising ? tensions and underscored themes of ?

• also facilitated a trans(?) railroad

Stephen Douglas

Prominent American politician and senator from Illinois best known for his debates over the expansion of slavery

• the MOST FAMOUS supporter of popular sovereignty

  • Heavily supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act

pro, North

Stephen Douglas’s alignment with ?-slavery interested alienated him from the ?

• indirectly led to events such as Bleeding Kansas and the Raid on Harpers Ferry

Kansas-Nebraska Act

landmark legislation that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed the principle of popular sovereignty

tensions, slavery, violent, compromise

the Kansas-Nebraska Act severely escalated ? in America over ?

• led to ? clashes

• led to Bleeding Kansas

• represented a failure of ?