Chapter 13 Study Guide: Manifest Destiny and Civil War

Manifest Destiny

The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Californios

Mexican settlers in California before U.S. annexation.

Causes, Events, Results (C, E, R) of the Texas Revolution

Causes: Tensions over slavery and immigration between American settlers and Mexico. Santa Anna's centralization of power. Events: Battles at the Alamo and San Jacinto. Texas declared independence in 1836. Results: Texas became an independent republic. Eventually annexed by the U.S. in 1845.

Tejanos

Mexican residents of Texas.

Causes, Issues, Results (C, I, R) of the Election of 1844

Causes: Growing debate over expansion (Texas, Oregon). Issues: Manifest Destiny and the annexation of Texas. Slavery expansion. Results: James K. Polk (Democrat) won as a pro-expansion candidate.

"Dark Horse"

A lesser-known candidate who unexpectedly wins a nomination or election.

Causes, Events, Results (C, E, R) of the Mexican War

Causes: Disputes over Texas border (Rio Grande vs. Nueces River). U.S. desire for California and New Mexico. Events: Battles at Palo Alto, Monterrey, and Mexico City. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848). Results: U.S. gained California, Arizona, New Mexico, and other territories.

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed law to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

Causes, Issues, Results (C, I, R) of the Election of 1848

Causes: Debate over slavery in new territories. Issues: Free Soil Party opposed slavery expansion. Results: Zachary Taylor (Whig) won.

Gold Rush

1849 discovery of gold in California led to massive migration.

Free Soil Party

Political party opposing slavery expansion into western territories.

Compromise of 1850

Admitted California as a free state.

Popular Sovereignty

Idea that settlers in a territory should decide if slavery is allowed.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Allowed popular sovereignty in Kansas and Nebraska.

Causes, Issues, Results (C, I, R) of the Election of 1852

Causes: Sectional tensions over slavery. Issues: Enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. Results: Franklin Pierce (Democrat) won.

Republican Party

Founded in 1854 to oppose slavery expansion.

"Know Nothings"

Anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic political movement.

"Bleeding Kansas"

Violent conflicts over slavery in Kansas after the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Causes, Issues, Results (C, I, R) of the Election of 1856

Causes: Rising tensions over slavery. Issues: Expansion of slavery, sectionalism. Results: James Buchanan (Democrat) won.

Dred Scott Decision

Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens.

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858 debates over slavery between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.

John Brown's Raid

Attempt to start a slave rebellion by raiding Harper's Ferry.

Ostend Manifesto

Secret plan to buy or take Cuba from Spain.

Fire-Eaters

Radical pro-slavery Southerners who pushed for secession.

Causes, Issues, Results (C, I, R) of the Election of 1860

Causes: Growing divide over slavery. Issues: Lincoln's opposition to slavery expansion. Results: Lincoln won, leading to Southern secession.

Secession

Southern states leaving the Union after Lincoln's election.

Confederate States of America

Government formed by seceding Southern states in 1861.

Crittenden Compromise

Last attempt to prevent Civil War by extending the Missouri Compromise line.

Fort Sumter

First battle of the Civil War (April 1861).