Western Expansion & Southern Secession 1830-61

Flashcards about Western Expansion & Southern Secession 1830-61

What is Manifest Destiny?

A term used by NY newspaper editor John Lewis O’Sullivan for the idea of a providentially or historically sanctioned right to expand, with religious and racial aspects.

What is the Mississippi River's significance in Western Expansion?

By 1860, 4.3 million Americans had crossed it.

What was the Oregon Trail?

Departure from Missouri for a 2,000-mile journey (6 months).

What happened in 1821 that influenced expansion into Texas and California?

Mexico won independence from Spain.

What was the status of the Oregon Country in 1818?

Great Britain and the U.S. agreed to joint occupation.

What law was put in place in 1820 that affected Texas?

Mexican law allowed colonists of any religion to settle.

Who was Stephen F. Austin?

Land developer who arrived in Texas in December 1821.

What was the result of Haden Edwards attempting to establish the Republic of Fredonia in 1826?

Increased Mexican suspicion of Anglos.

What were the components of the Mexican “Law of 1830”?

Outlawed immigration from the USA, offered free transportation for Mexican settlers, and banned slave imports.

Who was General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna?

Became Mexican dictator in 1832.

Who was Sam Houston?

Texian army leader who launched a surprise attack on Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.

What policies were established in the Republic of Texas?

Legalized slavery and banned free blacks.

Who was William Henry Harrison?

Whig who became president in 1841 but died shortly after, leading to John Tyler taking over.

What did the Pre-Emption Act of 1841 do?

Permitted squatters on federal land to purchase land at a low price.

What boundary was agreed upon in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty signed 1842?

Boundary agreed between Maine and New Brunswick & from Great Lakes through Lake of the Woods.

Who won the 1844 Presidential Election?

James Polk (D) defeated Henry Clay (W).

What were the four goals of Polk's presidency?

Cut tariffs, acquire an Independent Treasury, secure Oregon Territory, and acquire California from Mexico.

What was the outcome of the Buchanan-Pakenham Treaty with Great Britain?

Secured U.S. claim to Pacific NW south of 49th parallel.

What happened on March 6th, 1845 that heightened tension between the USA and Mexico?

Mexico ended diplomatic relations with the USA.

What did Polk attempt to negotiate with Mexico before the Mexican-American War?

Polk sent John Slidell to offer cancellation of Mexican debt, official recognition of the new border, and $30m for California & New Mexico.

What was the result of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

Mexico gave up all claims to TX north of Rio Grande and ceded California, NM, & parts of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah & Wyoming.

What was the Wilmot Proviso?

A proposal to ban slavery in former Mexican lands, though it was defeated in the Senate.

What was Lewis Cass' stance on slavery in the territories (popular sovereignty)?

Citizens should regulate own affairs regarding slavery.

What was the main goal of the Free Soil Party?

Pushed to prevent slavery in the West.

What started the California Gold Rush?

Gold was found on John Sutter’s property in Sacramento Valley, California.

What action did California take in 1849 regarding statehood?

California requested admission to the Union as a free state.

What were the key components of the Compromise of 1850?

California admitted as free state, TX-NM Act, Utah Act, Fugitive Slave Act, Public sale of slaves abolished in District of Columbia.

What was the Fugitive Slave Act?

Fed. Gov + northern states to help return runways to South.

What was Uncle Tom’s Cabin?

Novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe on horrors of slavery.

What led to the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854?

Senator Stephen Douglas wanted Nebraska as a territory to help with his dream of a transcontinental railroad to benefit his Illinois constituents.

What did the Kansas-Nebraska Act determine?

Bill mandated settlers of territory could decide issue of slavery in new state.

What happened in Kansas after the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

Pro & anti –Slavery settlers flooded territory.

What was the Dred Scott v. Sanford Supreme Court decision?

Supreme Court decision said Scott was, as a slave, not a citizen, therefore could not petition court for freedom.

In Lincoln-Douglas Debates, what did Lincoln claim?

Lincoln claimed American government could not endure permanently half- free and half-slave.

What was John Brown’s Raid on Harpers Ferry?

John Brown and 20 followers planned to cause a slave uprising in Virginia.

What happened on December 20th 1860 that caused the start of the Civil War?

South Carolina passed the Ordinance of Secession making the state an independent commonwealth.

In Lincoln Inaugural Address, what did Lincoln pledge?

Lincoln pledged not to interfere with slavery in any state it existed.