Antebellum Presidential History

Flashcards for Antebellum Presidential History lecture notes.

Manifest Destiny

Term coined by John Lewis O’Sullivan describing the belief that the U.S. was divinely ordained to span the continent and spread democracy.

Adams/Onis Treaty

Treaty that brought Florida under U.S. control.

Relative Weakness of the Antebellum Presidency

Presidents conceived of their role as clerical, national caretakers who either approved or disapproved of Congress’ agenda.

Martin Van Buren's 1836 Election

Election troubled by the Panic of 1837.

William Henry Harrison

First Whig president who died of pneumonia shortly after inauguration.

Whig Party

Party formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson, lacking coherence and lasting only a few years.

John Tyler

Whig president who despised both Henry Clay and Jackson, promoting settlement of the Far West.

James Knox Polk

Democrat president who negotiated the annexation of Texas and provoked war with Mexico.

Mexican/American War

War resulting in the U.S. acquisition of New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty that ceded New Mexico, Arizona, and California to the U.S. for $15 million.

Zachary Taylor

General elected president in 1848 despite having no political background.

Compromise of 1850

Compromise supported by Zachary Taylor that outlawed slave trade in D.C. and admitted California as a free state.

Millard Fillmore

President who supported the Compromise of 1850 as a 'custodial' president.

Franklin Pierce

President who opened diplomatic relations with China and Japan and supported the Kansas/Nebraska Act.

Kansas/Nebraska Act (1854)

Act supported by Franklin Pierce that promoted 'popular sovereignty'.

Republican Party

Party that organized during Franklin Pierce's administration.

James Buchanan

President during whose administration the Dred Scott decision and John Brown’s raid occurred.

Four-Way Election of 1860

Election won by Lincoln against Breckenridge, Douglas, and Bell.

Lincoln's Initial Position on Slavery

Lincoln's stance on slavery at the start of his presidency.