APUSH Period 5 Key Terms and Proper Nouns Parts 2 & 3

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Kansas-Nebraska Act

Passed in 1854 that allowed the territories of Kansas and Nebraska to decide for themselves whether they would allow slavery within their borders through the principle of popular sovereignty. This act intensified sectional conflict, contributed to the failure of previous compromises regarding slavery, and led to violent confrontations known as 'Bleeding Kansas' as pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions rushed into the territories to influence the vote.

Stephen A. Douglas

American politician and Democratic Party leader in the mid-19th century, best known for his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act and his advocacy for popular sovereignty, the idea that settlers in a territory should decide the issue of slavery for themselves. This principle, championed in debates with Abraham Lincoln, intensified sectional conflict and led to violence in "Bleeding Kansas".

“Bleeding Kansas”

Period of violent conflict from 1854 to 1859 in the Kansas Territory, sparked by the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The term refers to the bloodshed that resulted as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers violently clashed over whether Kansas would enter the Union as a free or slave state, highlighting the deepening national sectional divide.

John Brown/Pottawatomie Creek

This Massacre was a violet raid led by radical abolitionist John Brown and his followers on May 24–25, 1856, in which they killed five pro-slavery settlers in Kansas. The attack, which involved the use of broadswords, was in retaliation for the sacking of the free-state town of Lawrence and was intended to provoke a violent response from pro-slavery forces, thereby fueling the conflict in Kansas known as "Bleeding Kansas". This event exemplified Brown's violent approach to abolitionism and further polarized opinions on slavery.

Sumner-Brooks Incident

1856 violent assault on U.S. Senator Charles Sumner by Congressman Preston Brooks on the Senate floor, which became a symbol of the escalating tensions over slavery. Following Sumner's fiery anti-slavery speech, "The Crime Against Kansas," Brooks repeatedly caned him, severely injuring him, in an act that was celebrated in the South but galvanized abolitionists in the North, and intensified sectional animosity leading up to the Civil War.

Republican Party

Political party founded in the 1850s with the primary goal of opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories. It quickly became a major, explicitly sectional party, dominating the North and ultimately leading the Union during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

James Buchanan

15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. His presidency is often marked by his inability to address the rising tensions between the North and South, ultimately leading to the Civil War. His policies and inaction during a critical time are seen as contributing factors to the deepening sectional conflict and discontent that preceded the Civil War.

Dred Scott v. Sanford

Supreme Court decision was a landmark ruling that stated African Americans, whether enslaved or free, could not be U.S. citizens and had no standing to sue in federal court. The ruling also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, asserting that Congress could not prohibit slavery in the territories. This decision inflamed sectional tensions over slavery, contributed to the rise of the Republican Party, and was a major cause leading to the Civil War.

Chief Justice Roger Taney

Fifth Chief Justice of the United States, serving from 1836 to 1864, and is best known for his controversial decision in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case. This ruling played a significant role in the failure of compromises aimed at addressing the issue of slavery, as it denied citizenship to African Americans and invalidated the Missouri Compromise, further inflaming sectional tensions between the North and South.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

A series of seven debates in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, primarily focused on the issue of slavery and its expansion into the territories. These debates were crucial in shaping public opinion on slavery and highlighted the contrasting views of the two candidates, which ultimately influenced the political landscape leading up to the election of 1860 and the subsequent secession of Southern states.

John Brown/Raid at Harpers Ferry

1859 attempt by radical abolitionist John Brown to incite a slave uprising by seizing the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. The raid failed, and Brown was captured, but the event escalated sectional tensions between the North and South, highlighting the growing divide over slavery and serving as a catalyst for the Civil War.

Election of 1860

A pivotal presidential election in the United States that showcased deep national divisions primarily over the issue of slavery. The election resulted in the victory of Abraham Lincoln, which triggered a series of events leading to the secession of Southern states and ultimately the Civil War. It occurred in the antebellum United States, a nation deeply divided over issues such as states' rights and slavery. Lincoln’s stance against the expansion of slavery into new territories alienated Southern states, prompting seven of them to secede from the Union before he even took office. The election highlighted the increasing sectional conflict between the North and South, setting the stage for transformative changes in American society.

Crittenden Compromise

Proposal made by Senator John J. Crittenden in late 1860 aimed at preventing the secession of Southern states and the ensuing Civil War by addressing the concerns of slaveholding states. It sought to extend the Missouri Compromise line westward to the Pacific Ocean, allowing for the continuation of slavery in territories south of this line while prohibiting it north of the line. This compromise was significant as it represented a last-ditch effort to reconcile differences between the North and South during a time of intense national strife.

Deep (Lower) South

The region of the United States most reliant on a plantation-based economy, slave labor, and a rigid social hierarchy, which included states like South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. This area was central to the growing sectional tensions over slavery that ultimately led to the Civil War and secession, and the term highlights its distinct culture and political identity driven by the defense of its economic and social systems.

Upper (Middle) South

Refers to the region of the southern United States that includes states like Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas. This area was characterized by a mix of agriculture and industry, with a significant reliance on slave labor but less so than the Deep South. Its economy was more diverse and played a crucial role in shaping the social and political dynamics leading up to the Civil War.

Border States

Slave states that did not secede from the Union during the Civil War, specifically Delaware, Maryland, Missouri, and Kentucky. These states were strategically crucial for both the Union and Confederacy due to their location, and President Lincoln focused on keeping them loyal to prevent further secession. The Emancipation Proclamation initially did not apply to them because they remained in the Union.

Fort Sumter

Site in Charleston, South Carolina, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861. Confederate forces attacked the Union-held fort after the secession of Southern states, which began the war, solidified sectional divides, and led more states to secede in response to the conflict and Lincoln's call for troops.

Confederate States of America

11 Southern states that seceded from the United States from 1860 to 1861, primarily over the issues of slavery and states' rights. Formed in response to the election of Abraham Lincoln, the CSA sought to establish itself as a separate nation, which ultimately led to the American Civil War. The Confederacy's existence marked a significant turning point in U.S. history, highlighting deep-seated regional tensions and the failure of compromises to maintain unity.

Jefferson Davis

President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-1865) and a staunch advocate for states' rights and secession to protect slavery. His leadership during the war was defined by a struggle to manage the Confederacy's limited resources, create a strong central government, and face internal dissent, which contributed to the South's defeat.

General George B. McClellan

Union general during the Civil War, known for his organizational skills in building the Army of the Potomac but criticized for being overly cautious. His command was marked by key events like the Peninsula Campaign and the Battle of Antietam, where his victory provided President Lincoln the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. After his failure to pursue Robert E. Lee's army aggressively after Antietam, Lincoln removed him from command.

Robert E. Lee

Confederate general during the American Civil War, best known for commanding the Army of Northern Virginia. His leadership and military tactics significantly impacted the war's course, though his legacy is complex, and he ultimately surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in 1865, which is often seen as the symbolic end of the conflict.

“King Cotton”/Cotton Diplomacy

The first was the idea that cotton was the most important crop in the South. The second was the Civil War-era strategy of the Confederacy to use its cotton exports to pressure European nations like Great Britain and France into recognizing the Confederacy and providing military support. However, this strategy failed because Europe found alternative cotton sources, and it ultimately backfired.

William Tecumseh Sherman

Union general during the American Civil War, known for his significant military strategy and leadership, particularly his implementation of 'total war' tactics against the Confederacy. His most notable campaign, known as the March to the Sea, aimed to destroy the South's economic resources and morale, thereby hastening the end of the war. His actions not only contributed to the Union victory but also shaped military strategies in future conflicts.

Confiscation Acts/ “contrabands”

US laws in 1861 and 1862 that allowed the Union to seize property, including enslaved people, that was used to support the Confederacy. The second term was adopted by Union soldiers to refer to enslaved people who escaped to the Union, allowing the army to treat them as captured property rather than return them to their owners.

Emancipation Proclamation

An executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, that declared the freedom of all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory. This decision not only bolstered Union forces but also weakened Confederate resources by encouraging enslaved people to escape. This landmark document not only transformed the Civil War into a fight against slavery but also signified a crucial turning point in American history as it laid the groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery nationwide. It also stimulated discussions around civil rights and equality for African Americans that would continue long after the war. The proclamation established a moral imperative regarding freedom and equality that influenced future movements for civil rights, shaping American society's trajectory toward greater justice and equality.

Massachusetts 54th Regiment

One of the first African American units in the United States during the Civil War, formed in 1863. This regiment played a crucial role in demonstrating the bravery and effectiveness of Black soldiers in combat, particularly during the assault on Fort Wagner in July 1863, which became a symbol of courage and sacrifice for African Americans fighting for their freedom. They also earned respect from white Union soldiers.

Copperheads

Also known as Peace Democrats, were a faction of Northern Democrats during the Civil War who opposed the war and advocated for an immediate peace settlement with the Confederacy. This group believed that the war was not worth the cost in lives and resources and sought to negotiate peace, often criticizing President Abraham Lincoln's administration and its policies. Their stance influenced public opinion and political dynamics in the North during a tumultuous period.

New York City draft riots

Violent disturbances in July 1863 that arose in response to the implementation of the draft during the Civil War. The riots reflected deep societal tensions, including class divisions and racial animosities, as many working-class white New Yorkers opposed conscription and perceived it as an unfair burden on the poor. This conflict highlighted broader issues surrounding government policies during the war, particularly regarding civil liberties and the implications of conscription.

Gettysburg Address

A brief but powerful speech delivered by President Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863, during the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This speech emphasized the principles of human equality and the importance of preserving the Union, connecting the Civil War to the broader struggle for freedom and democracy.

Greenbacks

U.S. paper currency printed during the Civil War for war financing, named for their green backs. were not fully backed by gold, so they lost value and led to inflation in the northern economy

Morrill Tariff Act (1861)

A protectionist measure that significantly increased import duties to protect Northern industries from foreign competition. Signed into law by President James Buchanan just before the Civil War, it raised average tariff rates to around 47 percent and was a major source of tension between the industrial North and the agrarian South.

Homestead Act (1862)

Morrill Land Grant Act (1862)

Pacific Railway Act (1862)

Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction, 1863 (Lincoln’s 10% Plan)

Wade-Davis Bill (1864)

Freedmen’s Bureau

Andrew Johnson

Radical Republicans

Charles Sumner

Thaddeus Stevens

Thirteenth Amendment

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Fourteenth Amendment

Reconstruction Acts of 1867

Ulysses S. Grant

Fifteenth Amendment

Scalawags

Carpetbaggers

Hiram Revels

Ku Klux Klan

Force Acts (1870 & 1871)

Black Codes

Sharecropping

Convict Leasing

Compromise of 1877

Rutherford B. Hayes