Unit 5 (1844-1877)

American Equal Right Association

An organization founded in 1866 to advocate for equal rights for all, particularly focusing on women's suffrage and civil rights for African Americans. It aimed to unite diverse groups in the struggle for social and political equality.

Susan B. Anthony

A prominent leader in the women's suffrage movement, she co-founded the American Equal Rights Association and devoted her life to advocating for women's rights and voting. Also an abolitionist known for her passionate anti-slavery speeches, uncommon for women at the time.

Henry Clay

An influential American statesman and orator known as the "Great Compromiser" for his role in negotiating several key compromises regarding slavery and the Union, serving as a U.S. Senator and Speaker of the House.

Compromise of 1850

A series of laws aimed at resolving the territorial and slavery conflicts from obtainment of new territories following the Mexican-American War, including the admission of California as a free state and the implementation of stricter fugitive slave laws.

Fugitive Slave Act

Legislation that provided for the capture and return of runaway slaves to their owners, imposing heavy penalties on those who aided fugitives.

Freedmen’s Bureau

A federal agency established in 1865 to aid freed slaves during the Reconstruction era by providing food, housing, medical aid, education, and legal assistance.

Gettysburg Address

A speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery, emphasizing the principles of human equality and the importance of preserving the Union.

Redefined the Civil War's purpose, moving beyond just preserving the Union to a broader struggle for liberty, equality, and the survival of democratic ideals.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Legislation passed in 1854 that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing residents to decide on the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise and led to violent conflicts known as "Bleeding Kansas".

Black Codes

Laws enacted in the southern states after the Civil War to restrict the rights of freed slaves and ensure their continued subordination.

Battle of Gettysburg

A pivotal battle fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, during the Civil War, resulting in a significant Union victory and marking a turning point in the conflict. It is considered one of the largest battles fought on American soil, with highest casualties in the Civil War, and it halted the Confederate invasion of the North.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable, promoting the idea of American exceptionalism. This belief was used to justify the westward expansion and was often linked to the idea of spreading democracy and civilization. It was seen as a divine right and had significant implications for indigenous populations and foreign relations.