AMSTUD Group 4a (AMSCO Topics 5.2 - 5.5)

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that the United States was destined to expand its territory across North America, spreading democracy and civilization.

Sam Houston / The Alamo

Texan general and leader who helped Texas gain independence from Mexico; The Alamo was a pivotal 1836 battle where Texan defenders were defeated by Santa Anna's forces.

Election of 1844

Election where James K. Polk defeated Henry Clay, emphasizing Manifest Destiny and U.S. territorial expansion.

James K. Polk

11th U.S. president known for expanding U.S. territory through the annexation of Texas, the Oregon boundary settlement, and the Mexican-American War.

"Fifty-four Forty or Fight!"

Slogan used by expansionists demanding U.S. control over the entire Oregon Territory up to the latitude line 54°40′.

General Zachary Taylor

U.S. general and hero of the Mexican-American War who later became the 12th president of the United States.

John C. Frémont

Explorer and military officer who helped California declare independence from Mexico during the Bear Flag Revolt.

Mexican Cession / Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848 treaty ending the Mexican-American War; Mexico ceded California and the Southwest to the U.S. for $15 million.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed law to ban slavery in territory acquired from Mexico; passed the House but failed in the Senate, increasing sectional tensions.

Ostend Manifesto

Secret document suggesting the U.S. should acquire Cuba from Spain, even by force; angered anti-slavery Northerners.

Gadsden Purchase

1853 agreement where the U.S. bought land from Mexico (southern Arizona/New Mexico) to build a southern transcontinental railroad.

Free-Soil Movement (Party)

Political movement opposing the expansion of slavery into western territories; slogan: "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, Free Men."

popular sovereignty

Idea that people in a territory should vote to decide whether to allow slavery.

Compromise of 1850

Set of laws admitting California as a free state, enforcing a stricter Fugitive Slave Law, and allowing popular sovereignty in Utah and New Mexico.

nativists / nativism

People who favored native-born Americans and opposed immigrants, particularly Catholics and Irish.

"Know-Nothing" Party

Political party formed by nativists in the 1850s opposing immigration and Catholic influence in politics.

Fugitive Slave Law (1850)

Law requiring escaped slaves to be returned to their owners and penalizing officials who did not cooperate.

Underground Railroad

Network of secret routes and safe houses used to help enslaved people escape to freedom in the North or Canada.

Harriet Tubman

Former enslaved woman who became a leading conductor of the Underground Railroad, freeing hundreds of enslaved people.

Uncle Tom's Cabin / Harriet Beecher Stowe

1852 anti-slavery novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exposed the brutality of slavery and fueled abolitionist sentiment.

Impending Crisis of the South

Book by Hinton Rowan Helper arguing that slavery hurt the Southern economy and poor white farmers.

"positive good" argument

Pro-slavery justification claiming that slavery was beneficial to both enslaved people and slaveholders.

George Fitzhugh

Southern author who defended slavery, arguing that enslaved people were better cared for than Northern factory workers.