Manifest Destiny and the Road to the Civil War

What was Manifest Destiny?

19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

What was the Wilmot Proviso?

1846 proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

What was Manifest Destiny?

19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

What was the Wilmot Proviso?

1846 proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

What was the Compromise of 1850?

Series of laws aiming to balance free and slave states; admitted California as free state.

What was popular sovereignty?

Doctrine allowing residents of territories to decide on slavery.

What was the Fugitive Slave Act? What were the consequences of it?

1850 law requiring return of escaped slaves; increased tensions, led to resistance.

What was the Underground Railroad?

Network aiding enslaved African Americans to escape to free states/Canada.

What was Uncle Tom’s Cabin? What did it do?

1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe; exposed slavery's brutality, fueled abolitionism.

Why was the Republican Party founded?

1854, to oppose slavery's expansion into western territories.

Why was Kansas called “Bleeding Kansas”?

Mid-1850s violent clashes over slavery in Kansas Territory.

Who said “A house divided against itself cannot stand”? What did he mean?

Abraham Lincoln; meant nation couldn't endure half free, half slave.

Explain the Dred Scott decision.

1857 Supreme Court ruling denying citizenship to African Americans; intensified sectional conflict.

What was the purpose of the Harper’s Ferry Raid? Who led it?

1859 abolitionist-led attempt to incite slave revolt; led by John Brown.

Explain the Election of 1860. Who won?

Abraham Lincoln won; led to Southern secession.

Where did the Mormon trail end?

Salt Lake City, Utah.

Why did northerners oppose granting statehood to Texas?

Feared expansion of slavery.

What did “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” reference?

Slogan demanding U.S. control of Oregon Territory up to 54°40' latitude.

Why did settlers want to go to Texas?

Attracted by cheap land, economic opportunities.

What caused the war with Mexico?

Annexation of Texas, border disputes.

Who was president during the Mexican-American War?

James K. Polk.

What were the results of the Mexican War?

U.S. gained territories including California, New Mexico; Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Who were the forty-niners?

Gold seekers during 1849 California Gold Rush.