AP US HISTORY

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific, driving territorial expansion and increasing sectional tensions over slavery.

Annexation of Texas (1845)

Texas joins the U.S., angering Mexico and raising slavery debates because Texas allowed slavery.

Mexican-American War (1846–1848)

War between U.S. and Mexico over land; U.S. wins and gains California, Arizona, New Mexico, and other territories, intensifying sectional conflict over slavery.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

Ended the Mexican-American War; U.S. gains massive territory, raising the question of whether slavery would expand into new lands.

Wilmot Proviso (1846)

Proposal to ban slavery in any territory gained from Mexico; fails in Senate but highlights growing sectionalism.

California Gold Rush (1848)

Mass migration to California; rapid population growth leads to push for California statehood.

Compromise of 1850

California enters as a free state, Fugitive Slave Act strengthened, popular sovereignty in Utah & New Mexico, slave trade banned in D.C.; temporarily calms tensions but increases Northern anger over slavery enforcement.

Fugitive Slave Act (1850)

Required citizens to help capture runaway slaves; enrages the North and fuels abolitionist sentiment.

Underground Railroad

Network helping enslaved people escape to free states and Canada; grows stronger after 1850.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

Allowed settlers to decide on slavery (popular sovereignty) in Kansas & Nebraska; repealed Missouri Compromise, led to Bleeding Kansas.

Bleeding Kansas (1854–1856)

Violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas; demonstrates rising sectional violence.

Formation of Republican Party (1854)

Created by anti-slavery Northerners, replacing Whigs; opposed expansion of slavery into territories.

Caning of Charles Sumner (1856)

Senator Sumner attacked on Senate floor by a pro-slavery Congressman; symbolizes growing political violence.

Dred Scott Decision (1857)

Supreme Court rules African Americans cannot be citizens, Congress cannot ban slavery in territories; outrages North and strengthens sectionalism.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858)

Series of debates for Illinois Senate seat; Lincoln argues against slavery expansion, Douglas supports popular sovereignty; elevates Lincoln nationally.

John Brown’s Raid (1859)

Attempted slave revolt at Harpers Ferry; fails, but terrifies South and increases secessionist sentiment.

Election of 1860

Lincoln elected without Southern support; sparks secession of Southern states.

Secession of Southern States (1860–1861)

11 states leave Union, form Confederacy; triggers Civil War.

Fort Sumter (1861)

Confederate attack on Union fort in South Carolina; marks start of Civil War.

Border States (Civil War)

Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri; slave states that remained in Union, critical strategically.

Anaconda Plan

Union strategy to blockade Southern ports and control Mississippi River, cutting off Confederacy.

Confederate Strategy (Civil War)

Defensive war, seek European recognition and aid.

Key Civil War Battles

Bull Run, Antietam, Gettysburg, Vicksburg; turning points giving Union advantage and weakening Confederacy.

Emancipation Proclamation (1863)

Lincoln frees slaves in Confederate states; war officially becomes about slavery, discourages European support for Confederacy.

Sherman’s March to the Sea (1864)

Union General Sherman’s destructive campaign through Georgia; total war aimed at breaking Southern morale.

Appomattox Court House (1865)

Lee surrenders to Grant; Civil War ends.

Lincoln’s 10% Plan

Reconstruction plan: 10% of a state’s voters pledge loyalty → state readmitted; lenient approach to South.

Andrew Johnson’s Presidency

Continues lenient Reconstruction; clashes with Congress over civil rights and treatment of South.

Congressional (Radical) Reconstruction

South divided into military districts; federal government protects rights of freedmen; stricter than Lincoln/Johnson plans.

Freedmen’s Bureau (1865)

Assists formerly enslaved people with food, education, legal support; important for transition to freedom.

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Grants citizenship and equal protection to African Americans; counters Black Codes.

Reconstruction Amendments

13th (ends slavery), 14th (citizenship, equal protection), 15th (voting rights for Black men); foundation of civil rights during Reconstruction.

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson (1868)

Johnson impeached for violating Tenure of Office Act; survives Senate trial by 1 vote.

Ku Klux Klan & Black Codes

Southern groups and laws resist Reconstruction, intimidate Black citizens, limit civil rights.

Compromise of 1877

Ended Reconstruction; federal troops withdrawn from South → effectively begins Jim Crow era.