FINAL EXAM AMH 2010 -UCFUCF

What economic factors inspired westward expansion?

Land acquisition, natural resources, and new trade opportunities lured settlers, prospectors, and entrepreneurs to the frontier in search of wealth and opportunity. The promise of fertile land and the discovery of gold and silver fueled migration and settlement across the western territories.

What was Romanticism in art and how did it inspire migration to the west?

Romanticism in art was a movement that emphasized emotion, individualism, and the glorification of nature. It inspired migration to the west by portraying the frontier as a realm of beauty and adventure, encouraging people to seek new opportunities in an untamed landscape.

What was the Democratic Party’s position on expansion? What was the Whig Party’s position?

The Democratic Party supported expansion as a means to spread democracy and American ideals, advocating for the annexation of territories. In contrast, the Whig Party was more cautious, often opposing aggressive expansion, emphasizing infrastructure and reform over territorial gains.

How did the election of 1844 affect the issue of expansion?

The election of 1844 intensified the debate over expansion, particularly regarding the annexation of Texas. James K. Polk, a strong proponent of Manifest Destiny, won the presidency, leading to increased territorial expansion during his administration.

What were the causes of the Mexican–American War? 

The causes of the Mexican–American War included territorial disputes following the annexation of Texas, the U.S. desire for California and other Mexican territories, and ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over border issues. 

What were Abraham Lincoln's “spot resolutions” and how were they typical of opposition to the Mexican War?

Abraham Lincoln’s “spot resolutions” (1847) were a set of questions he introduced in Congress asking President Polk to identify the exact “spot” on U.S. soil where Mexican forces had allegedly spilled American blood—Polk’s main justification for starting the Mexican-American War.

They were typical of opposition to the war because critics (mostly Whigs) argued that Polk had provoked the conflict to expand slavery, and they used demands for precise facts and constitutional justification to challenge the president’s claims and limit executive power.

What did Henry David Thoreau do to protest the war in Mexico?

protested the Mexican-American War by refusing to pay his poll tax, which led to his arrest and a single night in jail.   

What was the Wilmot Proviso and why was it important to the debate about slavery?

It claimed that if any new territory should be acquired from Mexico, slavery would be banned in that new land.

It reignited the debate over the status of slavery in the West.

What were the major terms of the Compromise of 1850?

the admission of California as a free state, the organization of the Utah and New Mexico territories under popular sovereignty to decide on slavery, the settlement of the Texas-New Mexico boundary, the abolition of the slave trade in Washington, D.C., and a new, stricter Fugitive Slave Act. 

What was the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850? How did it affect Northern opinion about slavery?

Required citizens to help capture escaped slaves.
Outraged Northerners, increasing anti-slavery sentiment.

Why were Southerners who migrated to California in search of gold opposed to allowing slavery in the state?

Many Southerners in Gold Rush–era California opposed slavery because slave labor would undercut their own chances to find gold, letting wealthy slaveholders dominate mining and limiting opportunities for ordinary miners.

What were the terms of the Kansas–Nebraska Act?

Allowed Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide slavery via popular sovereignty.
Repealed the Missouri Compromise line.

What was “popular sovereignty”?

Policy allowing territories to decide the issue of slavery through a vote.

What was "Bleeding Kansas"? How was John Brown involved?

Violent conflict in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers.
John Brown led violent raids against pro-slavery forces.

Why did John Brown attack a federal army base at Harper's Ferry, Virginia?

he hoped to incite a slave rebellion by arming enslaved people.

What did the Supreme Court hold in the Dred Scot case? What was the chief justice trying to accomplish by giving an opinion more thorough than was strictly necessary?

Ruled that African Americans were not citizens and Congress couldn't ban slavery in territories.
Chief Justice Taney aimed to settle the slavery issue but instead deepened divisions.

What were the main difference between abolitionists and people who were anti-slavery/free soil?

Abolitionists: Moral opposition to slavery, demanded equality, immediate action.
Anti-slavery/free-soil: Opposed expansion of slavery, gradual solutions, prioritized preserving the Union.

How did the major political parties change in the 1850s and 1860s?

Democrats split over slavery.
Whigs collapsed; Republicans formed, opposing slavery's expansion.

What were the position on slavery and the union of the 4 candidates for president in 1860?

• Abraham Lincoln

Opposed expansion of slavery, preserve Union.

What were the position on slavery and the union of the 4 candidates for president in 1860?

• Stephen Douglas

Popular sovereignty, preserve Union.

What were the position on slavery and the union of the 4 candidates for president in 1860?

• John Breckenridge

Protect slavery, support secession.

What were the position on slavery and the union of the 4 candidates for president in 1860?

• John Bell

Preserve Union, avoid addressing slavery directly.

What does John West Davidson, author of A Little History of the United States, mean when he characterized the pre-Civil War approach to slavery as "Draw a line. Work out a solution. End the quarrel."? What are some examples of this approach?

Approach to slavery relied on compromises like the Missouri Compromise and Compromise of 1850 to temporarily resolve disputes.

What was the Caning of Charles Sumner? What effect did it have on national politics? According to John West Davidson, what effect did the incident have on the 1856 presidential election

Senator Sumner was beaten by Representative Brooks after criticizing pro-slavery forces.
Increased sectional tensions and influenced the 1856 presidential election by energizing anti-slavery voters.

How did Lincoln's election as president in 1860 lead to secession?

Lincoln won without Southern support, committed to stopping slavery's expansion.
South viewed his election as a threat, leading to secession starting with South Carolina.

How did the leaders of southern states explain secession?

Claimed states voluntarily joined the Union and could leave, likening it to the American Revolution.

What were the motives of Confederate and Union soldiers for fighting in the war? How were they similar? How were they different?

Similarities: Young, volunteers, ideological commitment, hatred/vengeance.
Confederates: Liberty, self-government, defense of home, preserving slavery.
Union: Liberty, preserving the Union, punishing traitors, later emancipation

Why was military service appealing to Black men in the north?

A chance to fight for freedom and prove equality.
Emancipation Proclamation and Bureau of Colored Troops allowed service.

Why was the Emancipation Proclamation structured in a limited way rather than applying to all enslaved people?

it was limited to Confederacy to avoid alienating border states and ensure constitutionality.

What affect did the Emancipation Proclamation have on diplomatic relations during the war?

it impacted diplomatic relations by framing the Civil War as a moral crusade against slavery, which deterred European powers like Britain and France from recognizing and intervening on behalf of the Confederacy.

Why did President Lincoln always insist that the Confederacy was part of the United States in rebellion and refuse to recognize it as a distinct country?

Denying Confederate independence maintained U.S. sovereignty and legal justification for war.

What was “hard war” as practiced by Union commanders such as Grant and Sherman? Why did they emphasize aggression? What were the drawbacks?

Strategy targeting Confederate resources (e.g., Sherman's March).
Aimed to weaken Southern will to fight; drawbacks included destruction and civilian suffering.

What advantages did the Union hold?

Union: Larger population, more industry, better transportation (railroads).

What were "greenbacks"?

paper money issued by the United States government during the Civil War to finance the Union's war effort

What advantages did the Confederacy have?

Confederacy: Defensive war, knowledge of terrain, strong military leaders.

What was General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's Valley Campaign (1862)? Why was Jackson so aggressive?

A rapid series of Confederate victories in the Shenandoah Valley where Jackson used speed and surprise to beat larger Union forces and keep them from reinforcing the main Union army.

Jackson was aggressive because He believed fast, bold attacks were the only way outnumbered Confederates could win, and his strong personal discipline and religious conviction pushed him to act decisively.

According to James West Davidson, how was Lincoln's victory a break from the previous elections of the period?

First president elected solely by anti-slavery states.
First president committed to stopping slavery's expansion.

What was Lincoln’s approach to Reconstruction?

Focused on unity and mercy, emphasizing quick reconciliation.
Required 10% of voters to pledge allegiance to the Union and abolish slavery.
Offered generous pardons to most Confederates.

How was the Radical Republicans approach to reconstruction different from Lincoln's?

Focused on justice and punishment, ensuring no return to pre-war systems.
Wade-Davis Bill required 50% loyalty oaths and guaranteed freedmen's equality.
Believed Lincoln's plan was too lenient. sought to remake Southern society and ensure equality.

How was the Johnsons approach to reconstruction different from Lincoln's?

Focused on reuniting quickly and containing chaos.
Offered widespread pardons, except for wealthy Confederates.
Required states to renounce secession, ratify the 13th Amendment, and return confiscated lands. pro-Union Southern Democrat, prioritized restoring pre-war systems without slavery.

What was the Freedmen's Bureau? What were it's goals?

Provided relief for formerly enslaved people and poor whites.
Distributed land, offered education, and provided legal assistance.

What was Andrew Johnson's background? Why was it so different from President Lincoln's?

Johnson's Southern slave owner background and loyalty to white supremacy clashed with Lincoln's vision of equality and justice.

What were "Black Codes"? What was their overall goal? What kinds of things did they permit? What kinds of things did they forbid?

Black Codes:
Laws to restrict freedmen's rights and recreate a system resembling slavery.
Permitted:Owning land (restricted to cities).Employment (mandatory under threat of penalties).Marriage (but not interracial).
Forbade:Gun ownership without special permits.Economic independence outside farming or domestic labor.

What was the Tenure of Office Act? How was it involved in the impeachment of President Johnson?

Tenure of Office Act (1867):Required Senate approval to remove Cabinet members.
Johnson's Impeachment:Johnson violated the act by firing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton.The House impeached Johnson, though he was not removed from office.

How was the winner of the 1876 election determined? Why was the election so troubled?

Election Outcome:
Disputed states (SC, FL, LA, OR) sent conflicting vote counts.
Electoral Commission, mostly Republicans, awarded Hayes the presidency.
Problems:
Alleged voter fraud and intimidation (e.g., 101% voter turnout in SC).
Southern Democrats accepted Hayes after he promised "home rule," ending Reconstruction.