Kansas - Nebraska Flashcards

Whig Party Last Presidential Election (1852)

The final year the Whig Party ran a presidential candidate, after which the party collapsed.

Collapse of the Whig Party

The Whig Party dissolved due to deep sectional divisions over slavery, especially the Fugitive Slave Act.

Railroad Boom of the 1850s

Rapid expansion of railroads that created jobs, sped travel, and fueled economic growth.

Transcontinental Railroad

Prailroad built to connect the East and West coasts of the United States.

Purpose of the Transcontinental Railroad

To unite the nation economically and physically, promote westward expansion, and strengthen national unity.

California Gold Rush and Railroads

Increased western settlement made a transcontinental railroad more urgent.

Stephen A. Douglas and the Railroad

Douglas promoted a northern railroad route starting in Chicago.

Douglas’ Personal Motives for the Railroad

He owned Chicago land that would gain value from a northern route.

Douglas’ Political Strategy

Douglas sought Southern support by backing slavery-related concessions.

Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

Law organizing Kansas and Nebraska territories using popular sovereignty, repealing the Missouri Compromise.

Repeal of the Missouri Compromise

The Kansas-Nebraska Act overturned the 36°30′ slavery restriction.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that settlers vote to decide slavery in their territory.

Slavery Before Kansas-Nebraska Act

Slavery was barred from territories like Kansas and Nebraska.

Slavery After Kansas-Nebraska Act

Territories could vote to allow slavery.

Abraham Lincoln’s View on Slavery

Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong and contradicted American ideals.

Lincoln and Territorial Slavery

Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories.

Lincoln and Popular Sovereignty

Lincoln rejected letting voters decide slavery, calling it a violation of liberty.

Kansas-Nebraska Act and Lincoln

The Act brought Lincoln back into national politics.

Formation of the Republican Party

The party formed in opposition to the expansion of slavery.

Election of 1860

Lincoln’s victory triggered Southern secession.

Cause of Southern Secession

Southern states feared Lincoln would threaten slavery.

First State to Secede

South Carolina (December 20, 1860).

Last States to Secede

Tennessee was the final state to leave the Union.

Fort Sumter and Secession

Virginia seceded after the attack on Fort Sumter.

Henry Clay’s American System

A national economic plan to strengthen the U.S.

Protective Tariffs

Taxes designed to protect American manufacturing.

National Bank

Second Bank of the United States stabilized currency and credit.

Internal Improvements

Federal funding for roads and canals to unite regions.

Fugitive Slave Act and Whig Collapse

The law split Northern and Southern Whigs and destroyed the party.

Know-Nothing Party (American Party)

A nativist party opposed to immigration and Catholic influence.

Know-Nothing Nickname

Members said “I know nothing” about the secret organization.

Brother Jonathan

A symbol of New England and American capitalism.

Brother Jonathan Symbolism

Represented frugality, efficiency, and early American industry.

Rise of the Republican Party

Emerged from anti-slavery coalitions in the 1850s.

Republican Coalition

Included Conscience Whigs, Free-Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats.

Republican Party Success

Elected Lincoln and dominated post–Civil War politics.

1856 Republican Platform

Called for preserving the Union and Constitution.

Republican Anti-Slavery Stance

Advocated banning slavery in U.S. territories.

Kansas as a Free State

Republicans supported Kansas entering as a free state.

Republican Economic Policies

Supported railroads and internal improvements.