US History Final study guide long answers

Be able to list and briefly explain the key protocols of the Northwest Ordinance. 

The Northwest Ordinance served as a framework for statehood by establishing that no fewer than three states could be formed from the territory. It allowed a territory to create an elected assembly once the population reached 5,000 people, and permitted the territory to apply for statehood once it reached 60,000 residents. Additionally, the Ordinance outlawed slavery in the Northwest Territory, setting an important precedent for how new territories would address the issue of slavery.

What factors contributed to the completion of the Missouri Compromise? What were its primary outcomes and consequences? 

When Missouri applied for statehood with slavery, concerns arose over maintaining the balance between free and slave states. As a result, Missouri was admitted as a slave state and Maine as a free state, setting a precedent that each new slave state would be matched with a free state to maintain balance in Congress. Although this compromise delayed conflict, it increased tensions between the North and South and ultimately failed to resolve the issue of slavery.

What were the key conclusions of the Compromise of 1850? 

As part of the Compromise, California entered the Union as a free state, and the slave trade — though not slavery itself — was banned in Washington, D.C. The Fugitive Slave Act was also strengthened, requiring greater cooperation from northern states and federal officials to help southerners recover escaped slaves. Additionally, the territories of Utah and New Mexico would decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty, with no formal restrictions from the national government on whether they would allow slavery.

Explain the Dred Scott Case. What key decisions were made by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1856? What implications did this have for the coming Civil War? 

The Dred Scott Case involved a slave, Dred Scott, who sued for his freedom after living in a free state. In 1856, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens and therefore could not sue in federal court. Additionally, the Court decided that the federal government had no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories. These key decisions invalidated the Missouri Compromise, fueled outrage among abolitionists, and deepened the sectional divides between North and South, ultimately pushing the nation closer to the Civil War.

What made the Presidential Election of 1860 so controversial? How did it lead to the outbreak of the Civil War? 

The Presidential Election of 1860 was highly controversial because Abraham Lincoln, who was viewed as anti-slavery, won the presidency without receiving any Southern electoral votes. The South saw his victory as a direct threat to slavery and their way of life. As a result, South Carolina and several other Southern states seceded from the Union, directly leading to the outbreak of the Civil War.

Be able to explain the key themes of Lincoln’s Inaugural Address of 1861. 

The key themes of Lincoln’s Inaugural Address of 1861 centered on preserving the Union and upholding the principles of democracy. Lincoln argued that secession was illegal, stating that states could not break away simply because they disagreed with the outcome of an election. He emphasized that the survival of democracy depended on respecting the results of free and fair elections. Additionally, Lincoln reassured the South that he had no intention of abolishing slavery where it already existed, aiming to ease fears and prevent further division while firmly committing to the preservation of the Union.

Be able to list and explain the key consequences of the American Civil War. 

The American Civil War had several major consequences. Over 600,000 Americans died, making it the deadliest war in U.S. history up to that point. The South faced widespread physical destruction and economic devastation. One of the most significant outcomes was the abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment. Additionally, the Union was preserved, and the Southern states were eventually reintegrated back into the United States.

Explain the details behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln in April 1865. 

In April 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer who strongly opposed Lincoln’s leadership and the Union victory. Booth was part of a larger conspiracy that aimed to throw the Union government into chaos by assassinating top leaders, including the Vice President and Secretary of State. As part of this plot, Mary Surratt, who helped organize and support the conspirators, became the first woman executed by the U.S. government for her role in the assassination.

Who were the Radical Republicans? What was their chief objective during the Age of Reconstruction?

The Radical Republicans were a faction of the Republican Party during the Age of Reconstruction who sought to punish the South for its role in the Civil War. Their chief objectives were to protect the rights of freed slaves and to ensure full citizenship and voting rights (suffrage) for African Americans. They pushed for a much stricter Reconstruction process to reshape Southern society and guarantee equality under the law.

What was Abraham Lincoln’s Plan for Reconstruction? How did it differ from his successor, Andrew Johnson?

Abraham Lincoln’s Reconstruction Plan, known as the “10% Plan,” aimed to reunite the nation quickly by requiring only 10% of Southern voters from 1860 to pledge loyalty to the Union, accept the abolition of slavery, and support Black education. Andrew Johnson’s plan was even more lenient; he opposed punishing the South, offered a general pardon to most Confederates (except the wealthy and leaders), and required Southern states only to ratify the 13th Amendment. His approach allowed many former Confederates to regain power easily.

Be able to describe the nature of the ‘Black Codes’ that were imposed across the South during Reconstruction. 

During Reconstruction, Southern states passed “Black Codes” to restrict the freedom of African Americans and maintain white supremacy. These laws included banning Black Americans from serving on juries, imposing harsher penalties than those given to whites, and restricting their ability to own property, choose jobs, preach without a license, or own weapons. The Black Codes were designed to limit Black advancement after the abolition of slavery and to keep African Americans in a subordinate position within society.

Explain the key provisions of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution established several key provisions. It granted citizenship to anyone born in the United States and stated that states violating civil rights could lose congressional representation. It also barred former Confederates who had broken their oaths to the Union from holding public office. Additionally, it prohibited any compensation for the loss of slaves or property during the Civil War and gave Congress the authority to enforce these provisions through additional legislation.

Be able to list and briefly explain the key themes of the American Gilded Age. 

The American Gilded Age was marked by rapid industrialization and the explosive growth of cities. Massive wealth inequality emerged as a small group of individuals accumulated enormous fortunes. Technological advancements, such as Thomas Edison’s inventions and Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone, fueled further economic expansion. The rise of monopolies and powerful corporations dominated the economy, while social reform movements began to push back against corruption, poor working conditions, and inequality.

What was so controversial and important about the Presidential election of 1876? How did the Compromise of 1877 settle these issues? What was its impact on Reconstruction?

The Presidential election of 1876 was highly controversial because disputed electoral votes left the outcome uncertain between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel Tilden. To resolve the crisis, the Compromise of 1877 was reached: Hayes became president in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South. This compromise effectively ended Reconstruction, allowing Southern Democrats to regain control of the South and leading to increased oppression and loss of rights for Black citizens.

In what ways was the American Railroad a “multiplier industry”? 

The American railroad was considered a “multiplier industry” because it boosted related industries such as steel, coal, timber, and manufacturing. It enabled large-scale economic expansion by connecting distant markets and creating a national economy. The railroad’s growth also led to the creation of standardized time zones to better coordinate travel and shipping across the country.

Be able to list and explain the key themes of the American Progressive Era. 

The American Progressive Era was a response to the problems created during the Gilded Age, such as poor working conditions, political corruption, and public health and safety concerns. Progressives pushed for major reforms, including the enforcement of antitrust laws to break up monopolies, the protection of labor rights, the fight for women’s suffrage, and improvements in public education and sanitation systems.