HIST 7H Final

Extended suffrage

Empowered ordinary men, including farmers, craftsmen, and small traders, to influence political decisions. Expanded voting rights, fostering greater democracy and political equality across the United States. This transformation occurred in the early 19th century, as American society embraced broader democratic ideals. The changes were particularly notable on the western frontier, where small farmers and settlers actively participated in elections. Diminished class distinctions, giving average citizens political agency and enabling them to elect leaders responsive to their needs.

John C. Calhoun

Political leader from South Carolina who advocated for states' rights and nullification. He opposed federal policies like the Tariff of Abominations and developed the doctrine of nullification, asserting states' authority to void national laws. Calhoun rose to prominence after 1800 and played a pivotal role in the political debates of the 1820s and 1830s, particularly during the Nullification Crisis. His influence was rooted in South Carolina but extended nationally as he served as vice president and led Southern opposition to federal policies. Calhoun believed that the national government threatened Southern interests, particularly through tariffs and policies favoring Northern industries, and sought to protect states' sovereignty.

Indian Removal Act

By President Andrew Jackson and affected numerous Native American nations, including the Cherokee, Creek, and others in the southeastern United States. It was a law passed in 1830 that authorized the forced relocation of Native Americans to lands west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their ancestral homelands. The act was passed in 1830 during Andrew Jackson’s presidency, marking the beginning of large-scale forced removals. The policy targeted Native Americans primarily in the southeastern states, such as Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, relocating them to designated areas in present-day Oklahoma. The act was driven by white settlers' demand for land, the expansionist ideology of manifest destiny, and Jackson’s belief in state sovereignty over Native lands.

Worcester v Georgia

The case involved Samuel Worcester, the Cherokee Nation, and the state of Georgia. The Supreme Court ruled in 1832 that Georgia had no authority to enforce its laws within Cherokee territory, as it was a distinct, sovereign nation. The decision was made in 1832 during Andrew Jackson’s presidency. The conflict centered around Cherokee lands in Georgia but was decided in the U.S. Supreme Court. The court aimed to protect Cherokee sovereignty under federal law, but Jackson refused to enforce the decision, favoring state power instead.

Andrew Jackson’s gunfight with Thomas Hart Benton in Nashville in 1813

The incident set the stage for Benton's political career. He moved to Missouri in 1815, and was elected to the U.S. Senate five years later. He served in the Senate for 30 years, supporting the establishment of the Pony Express, the telegraph system, and other infrastructure. He was also a strong supporter of the Union and opposed secession. Legend has it that Jackson kept the bullet that wounded him for the rest of his life. He put it in a box and sent it to Benton with a note, and Benton allegedly sent it back with a note saying Jackson was meant to keep it.

Nicholas Biddle

The president of the Bank of the United States and a key opponent of President Andrew Jackson. He fought to renew the bank’s charter before it expired in 1836 and used the bank’s power to challenge Jackson’s policies. The conflict peaked in the early 1830s, particularly between 1832 and 1836. The struggle was centered around the Bank of the United States, headquartered in Philadelphia, but it impacted the entire country. Biddle believed the national bank was essential for economic stability, while Jackson saw it as a corrupt institution that gave too much power to elites and wanted to shift financial control to state banks.

The Taney Court

The Taney Court, led by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, played a key role in shaping legal decisions that impacted state governments and businesses.It ruled on cases like Briscoe v. Bank of Kentucky (1837), allowing state-chartered banks to issue currency and supporting efforts to reduce monopolies and restrictive laws. These decisions occurred during Taney's tenure as Chief Justice, beginning in the 1830s. The Court’s rulings affected state governments and businesses across the United States. The Taney Court aimed to promote economic opportunity and a more democratic marketplace by giving states and individuals greater freedom in business activities.

John L. O’Sullivan

Manifest Destiny O'Sullivan's 1845 essay in The Democratic Review popularized the idea that the United States had a God-given mission to lead the world to democracy. This idea influenced the annexation of Texas, the acquisition of Oregon, and the Mexican-American War. American nationalism O'Sullivan's work helped shape American nationalism and democracy. He and his fellow Young Americans contrasted the United States with the monarchies and aristocracies of Europe

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna

Antonio López de Santa Anna was the president of Mexico and later a dictator during the 1830s. He denied Texas statehood but promised protections and rights before jailing Texan leader Stephen Austin for opposing the government. These events occurred between 1833 and 1835, during growing tensions between Mexico and Texas. Where

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight

The slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight" was promoted by James K. Polk and the Democratic Party during the 1844 presidential campaign. It referred to the demand that the United States claim the entire Oregon Territory up to the northern boundary at latitude 54°40′, threatening war with Britain if necessary. The slogan became popular during the 1844 election and reflected the expansionist spirit of the time. The dispute was over the Oregon Territory, which stretched from California to Alaska and was jointly controlled by the U.S. and Britain. Polk and his supporters embraced this slogan to promote manifest destiny, expand U.S. territory, and assert dominance over foreign powers like Britain.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed by representatives of the United States and Mexico. It ended the Mexican-American War in 1848 and gave the U.S. vast territories, including California, Texas north of the Rio Grande, and parts of the modern Southwest. The treaty was signed on February 2, 1848. It was signed in Mexico City but affected territories across the southwestern United States. The treaty resolved the war and expanded U.S. territory by about 1.2 million square miles in exchange for $15 million and assumption of $2 million in claims, fulfilling American desires for land and manifest destiny.

Wilmot Proviso

The Wilmot Proviso was introduced by David Wilmot, a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania. It proposed banning slavery in any territory gained from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. The proviso was introduced in August 1846 during a congressional debate. It specifically targeted territories in the West, such as California and New Mexico, acquired or expected to be acquired from Mexico. The proviso aimed to prevent the expansion of slavery into new territories, reflecting growing sectional tensions between the North and South over the future of slavery.

John Brown

John Brown was a passionate abolitionist who believed in using violence to fight slavery. He led violent attacks against proslavery settlers in Kansas and later attempted to spark a massive slave uprising by raiding a federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Brown's most notable actions occurred during the 1850s, with the Harpers Ferry raid taking place in October 1859. His activities spanned from Kansas to Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and his family settled in abolitionist-friendly North Elba, New York. Brown was deeply committed to ending slavery and saw violent rebellion as the only way to destroy what he called "the prime of all evils."

Pottawatomie Creek

John Brown and his small group of abolitionist followers carried out the attack. They killed five proslavery settlers in a violent massacre at Pottawatomie Creek. This event occurred in May 1856 during the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict. The attack took place in the Kansas Territory, near Pottawatomie Creek. Brown aimed to retaliate against proslavery violence and escalate the fight against slavery in the region.

Harper’s Ferry

John Brown and 18 of his followers led the raid on Harpers Ferry. They seized a federal arsenal in an attempt to start a slave uprising but were quickly defeated by local militia and U.S. Marines. When

Compromise of 1850

The Compromise of 1850 was shaped by Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster, three prominent U.S. senators. It was a series of laws aimed at resolving tensions between free and slave states by addressing issues like statehood, slavery in the territories, and the Fugitive Slave Act. The compromise was debated and passed in 1850. The debates took place in the U.S. Congress, affecting territories like California, New Mexico, and Utah, and laws across the nation. It was designed to ease sectional conflicts over slavery and preserve the Union by balancing the interests of the North and South.

Ostend Manifesto

The Ostend Manifesto was written by American diplomats in Spain, Britain, and France and sent to President Franklin Pierce. It was a document stating that the U.S. should purchase Cuba from Spain and, if necessary, take it by force. The manifesto was written in 1854 during Pierce's presidency. It was drafted in Ostend, Belgium, but focused on Cuba and the U.S. desire to acquire it. It aimed to expand U.S. territory and manifest destiny, but it failed due to Northern outrage over the possibility of adding a new slave state.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

The Kansas-Nebraska Act was introduced by Senator Stephen A. Douglas from Illinois. It allowed settlers in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide for themselves (popular sovereignty) whether to permit slavery, effectively repealing the Missouri Compromise. The act was passed on May 30, 1854. It applied to the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, part of the northern Indian Territory. Douglas aimed to organize these territories for settlement, enable a northern transcontinental railroad, and address the issue of slavery, but it reignited fierce sectional tensions.

Lincoln’s House Divided speech

Discussed the threat of slavery to the US and argued that slavery was a moral and political issue that threatened the country’s existence. Believed that the nation would eventually be either all free or all slave states.”A house divided against itself cannot stand” to represent the United States, which was divided over slavery.

Doughface

James Buchanan, “doughface Democrat” “Spineless” believed that the presevation of the Union depended upon making concessions to the South. Described Northerners who favored the Southern position in political disputes.

Know-Nothings

The Know-Nothings, also known as the American Party, were a nativist political group formed in the 1850s. They opposed immigration, especially from Catholics, and pushed for laws like literacy tests for voting and stricter naturalization requirements. The party gained prominence in the early-to-mid-1850s, peaking around 1854. The movement was strongest in northern states like Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New York. Rising immigration and fears of cultural and economic changes motivated their efforts to limit immigrant influence in politics and society.

Beecher’s Bibles

The group was named after abolitionist preacher Henry Ward Beecher, who raised money to purchase them and ship them to Kansas in crates labeled “Bibles”. These were actually rifles sent to aid anti-slavery settlers during the Bleeding Kansas conflict.

Republican Party

Formed by a coalition of northern Whigs, Free-Soilers, reformers, and others opposed to the spread of slavery. It became a new political party in the 1850s, unified by the demand to prevent slavery from expanding into new territories. The Republican Party was founded in 1854 and rose to national prominence by the 1856 presidential election. It was strongest in northern and western states, where its anti-slavery and free-labor platform resonated. The party formed to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the spread of slavery, reflecting growing sectional divisions in the U.S.

James Buchanan

A Democrat from Pennsylvania and the 15th President of the United States. He won the presidential election of 1856, defeating Republican John C. Frémont and the declining American Party. Buchanan was elected in 1856 and served as president from 1857 to 1861. He was supported mainly in the South and some northern states, reflecting sectional divisions in the country. Democrats chose Buchanan because he was not involved in the Kansas-Nebraska Act debates, making him less polarizing during a time of national tension over slavery.

Brooks-Sumner incident

Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina attacked Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts. Brooks beat Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor in retaliation for Sumner’s speech criticizing slavery and insulting Brooks’s uncle, Senator Andrew Butler. The incident occurred in May 1856. It happened in the U.S. Senate chamber in Washington, D.C. Brooks believed he was defending the honor of his uncle and the South after Sumner’s strong anti-slavery speech, which he viewed as a personal attack.

Dred Scott v Sandord

Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued his owner, John Emerson, for his freedom, and the case reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in 1857 that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in court, and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. The decision was handed down in 1857 after years of legal battles. The case originated in Missouri but was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The Court aimed to protect slavery by stating that the federal government couldn’t restrict slavery in territories, escalating tensions between the North and South.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

Dred Scott, an enslaved man, sued his owner, John Emerson, for his freedom, and the case reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled in 1857 that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in court, and declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional. The decision was handed down in 1857 after years of legal battles. The case originated in Missouri but was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The Court aimed to protect slavery by stating that the federal government couldn’t restrict slavery in territories, escalating tensions between the North and South.

US presidential election of 1860

The election of 1860 was contested by Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union Party). Lincoln won the presidency by carrying the northern and western states, while the Democratic Party was split between northern and southern factions. The election took place on November 6, 1860. It was a national election, with Lincoln's support strongest in the North and Breckinridge dominating the South. The election reflected deep divisions over slavery and sectionalism, with Lincoln’s victory sparking Southern secession and the lead-up to the Civil War.

US presidential election of 1848

The election of 1848 was contested by Zachary Taylor (Whig), Lewis Cass (Democrat), and Martin Van Buren (Free-Soil Party). Zachary Taylor won the presidency, while the Free-Soil Party emerged as a third-party force, dividing votes and highlighting slavery debates. When

Lincoln’s two biggest problems during the Civil War

His two biggest problems were finding competent military comanders to lead the Union army and managing the political pressure to balance the need to preserve the Union with the growing movement to abolish slavery. Finding a way to fight the war while navigating the complex issue of slavery without alienating key parts of the Northern population.

Underground Railroad

The Underground Railroad was run by abolitionists and free African Americans helping enslaved people escape to freedom. It was a secret network of routes, safe houses, and supporters aiding runaway slaves to reach free states or Canada. It was most active in the early to mid-19th century, peaking in the 1850s. The network operated throughout the U.S., especially in the South, Midwest, and Northeast, with destinations often in Canada. It aimed to help enslaved people escape oppression and gain freedom despite laws like the Fugitive Slave Act that made aiding them dangerous and illegal

Anaconda Plan

The Anaconda Plan was devised by Union leaders, including General Winfield Scott, during the Civil War. It was a strategy to blockade Southern ports and take control of the Mississippi River to weaken the Confederacy. The plan was developed and implemented starting in 1861. It targeted Confederate territories, focusing on Southern ports and the Mississippi River. The Union aimed to cut off the South’s trade and resources, forcing them to surrender without prolonged bloodshed.

Battle of First Bull Run

Who

George B. McClellan

George B. McClellan was a Union general during the Civil War, known for organizing the Army of the Potomac. He led the Union in major campaigns like the Peninsular Campaign and the Battle of Antietam but was criticized for being overly cautious and hesitant. He served as a key Union commander from 1861 to 1862. McClellan led campaigns in Virginia and Maryland, including near Richmond and at Antietam. Despite his talent for training troops, his reluctance to attack aggressively frustrated Lincoln, contributing to missed opportunities to defeat Confederate forces.

Army of Northern Virginia

Army of Northern Virginia” Led by Robert E. Lee, primary fighting force of the Confederacy in the Eastern Theatre of the American CIvil War, considered the most successful Confederate army, fought in major battles like Antietam, Gettysburg, and surrendered at Appomattox Court House.

The Peninsula Campaign

The Peninsular Campaign was led by Union General George McClellan and opposed by Confederate Generals Joseph E. Johnston and later Robert E. Lee. It was an unsuccessful Union attempt to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, Virginia, during the Civil War. The campaign lasted from March to July 1862. It took place on the York–Jones1Peninsula in Virginia, with key battles near Richmond. McClellan aimed to end the war by quickly capturing Richmond, but his cautious strategy and Lee’s counterattacks forced the Union to retreat.

Battle of Shiloh

Fought between Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate forces led by General Albert Sidney Johnston and General P.G.T. Beauregard. It was a bloody Civil War battle that resulted in a Union victory but with heavy losses on both sides. The battle took place on April 6–7, 1862. It happened near Pittsburg Landing in Tennessee, close to the Shiloh Church. The battle showed the war would be long and costly, as both sides suffered massive casualties and realized the scale of the conflict.

Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. It declared that enslaved people in Confederate-controlled areas were free and allowed Black men to join the Union army. It was announced on September 22, 1862, and took effect on January 1, 1863. It applied to Confederate states in rebellion but did not immediately free slaves in Union-controlled border states. Lincoln issued it to weaken the Confederacy, boost Union morale, and redefine the Civil War as a fight to end slavery.

US presidential election of 1868

First presidential election to take place after the conclusion of the American Civil War and the abolition of slavery. It was the first election in which African Americans could vote in the reconstructed Southern states according to the First Reconstruction Act.

Celement L. Vallandigham

Ohio politician and leader of the anti-war Democrats, known as "Copperheads." He was arrested, convicted by a military court for expressing pro-Confederate views, and sentenced to banishment. His arrest and trial occurred in 1863 during the Civil War. Vallandigham was arrested in Ohio, far from active battlefields. The Union government saw his outspoken criticism of the war and sympathy for the Confederacy as a threat to national security during wartime.

Battle of Petersburg

Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate forces led by General Robert E. Lee. It was a lengthy siege where Union troops tried to cut off Confederate supplies by capturing Petersburg, a key rail and communications hub. The siege lasted from June 1864 to April 1865. It took place in Petersburg, Virginia, just south of the Confederate capital, Richmond. The Union aimed to weaken the Confederacy by cutting off Richmond’s supply lines, eventually forcing Lee to abandon Petersburg and leading to the fall of Richmond and the end of the war.

Cotton diplomacy

Cotton Diplomacy was the strategy used by the Confederacy during the Civil War to gain support from European countries like Britain and France. It involved using the South's cotton exports as leverage to pressure European nations into recognizing the Confederacy and providing aid. This strategy was employed during the Civil War, primarily from 1861 to 1863. It focused on trade relationships between the Confederacy and European nations. The Confederacy hoped that Europe's reliance on Southern cotton would force them to support the Confederate cause, but the plan failed as Europe found other cotton sources like India and Egypt.

Copperheads

Known as Peace Democrats, were a faction of the Democratic Party in the Union that opposed the American Civil War and wanted an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates.

Battle of Gettysburg

The Union Army, led by General George Meade, fought the Confederate Army, led by General Robert E. Lee. The Battle of Gettysburg was a key Civil War battle that ended in a Union victory. It happened over three days, from July 1 to July 3, 1863. The battle took place in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Lee hoped to invade the North to ease pressure on Vicksburg and force a Union surrender, but heavy losses made him retreat to Virginia.

Battle of Vicksburg

Located on the Mississippi River, Grant commands the Army of the Tennessee of 77,000 men. Seige battle begins in May 1863 and the city surrenders of July 4, 1863, Grants biggest victory. Union now controls the Mississippi River, the River splits the CSA in two and key CSA supply valve is now in Union hands, Grant is now free to pursue Robert Lee.

John Wilkes Booth

John Wilkes Booth, a famous actor and Confederate supporter, assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Booth shot Lincoln in the head during a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The assassination happened on April 14, 1865, and Lincoln died the next day. Booth attacked Lincoln inside his private box at Ford’s Theatre. Booth wanted to avenge the South’s defeat in the Civil War and believed killing Lincoln would help the Confederate cause.

Lincoln’s 10% Plan

Proposal for reuniting the United States after the Civil War that allowed Confederate states to rejoin the Union if they met certain conditions

Radical Republicans

Radical Republicans were a group of politicians, including former abolitionists and freed slaves, who pushed for major changes in the South after the Civil War. They wanted to punish former Confederate leaders, protect the rights of freed slaves, and rebuild southern society with equal rights. They gained control of Reconstruction policy in 1866 and influenced it until the late 1870s. Their efforts focused on the southern states of the U.S. during Reconstruction. They believed the national government should enforce civil rights and reshape the South to ensure freedom and equality for African Americans.

Freedmen’s Bureau

The Freedmen’s Bureau was created by Congress to help freed slaves and poor refugees after the Civil War. It provided food, clothing, education, and legal help to support newly freed people and rebuild their lives. The Freedmen’s Bureau was established in 1865 and expanded in 1866 despite President Johnson’s veto. It operated primarily in the southern states where slavery had been abolished. It aimed to help African Americans transition from slavery to freedom and protect their basic rights during Reconstruction.

Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment was passed by Congress and ratified by the states to address slavery. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as punishment for a crime. It was ratified in December 1865, after the Civil War ended. The amendment applied to all states across the United States. It aimed to permanently end slavery and ensure freedom for all enslaved people in the country.

Black Codes

Laws passed on the state and local level in the United States to restrict the civil rights and civil liberties of African Americans. The purpose was to control black labor and innovations. Blacks could not sue whites. Limits on property ownership. Interracial marriages were forbidden, and no firearms were. Message - “The chains are gone but slavery is still alive”.

Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment was created by a coalition of moderate and Radical Republicans in Congress defined American citizenship as including all people born or naturalized in the U.S. and promised "equal protection" and "due process" under the law. It was passed by Congress in June 1866 and ratified by the states in 1868. The amendment applied across the United States but focused on addressing issues in the Southern states after the Civil War. It aimed to protect the rights of formerly enslaved people and shift power from the states to the federal government to ensure fairness.

Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment was created by moderate and Radical Republicans in Congress. It made it illegal for states to deny the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It was passed by Congress in 1869 and ratified by the states in 1870. The amendment applied nationwide, especially targeting voting restrictions in the Southern states. It aimed to protect voting rights for Black men and strengthen Republican political power in the South.

Tenure of Office Act

Passed by Congress to limit President Andrew Johnson's power. It required the president to get Senate approval before removing certain government officials. It was passed in March 1867 during the Reconstruction Era. The law applied across the United States, targeting federal government positions. Congress wanted to stop Johnson from undermining Reconstruction by protecting officials who supported their plans, like Edwin M. Stanton.

Impeachment

President Andrew Johnson was the person impeached. Impeachment is the process where Congress accuses a president of serious wrongdoing, in this case, 11 charges including illegally firing a government official and making offensive speeches. The impeachment happened in 1868, with the House voting on February 24 and the Senate trial running from March 5 to May 26. The impeachment and trial took place in Washington, D.C., in Congress and the Senate. Johnson's opponents believed he had violated the law and abused his power, but the Senate narrowly decided he should not be removed to avoid weakening the presidency.

Waving the bloody shirt

Republicans used this tactic against Democrats. "Waving the bloody shirt" meant reminding voters of the sacrifices made by Union soldiers during the Civil War to criticize Democrats as the party of rebellion and disloyalty. This phrase became popular during the presidential campaign of 1868. It was used across the United States, especially in northern states, during political campaigns. Republicans used it to rally support and win elections by blaming Democrats for the Civil War and opposing Reconstruction.