Unit 5 Vocabulary (Chapters 13-15) part 1

Manifest Destiny

The belief that America was destined by God to expand from coast to coast; first coined by John O'Sullivan.

Expansionism

The idea that American democracy should expand to include all possible territory, often at the expense of Mexicans and Indians.

Stephen Austin

Established the first legal American settlement in Texas in 1820 and sought independence from Mexico.

Oregon Country

Territory claimed by both Britain and the U.S. from southern Oregon to the southern boundary of Alaska; resolved through division at the 49th parallel.

Joint Occupation

Treaty of 1818 allowing equal access to Oregon territory for citizens of the U.S. and England.

James Polk

Democratic 'dark horse' candidate who expanded U.S. territory significantly during his presidency.

Rio Grande/Nueces River

Disputed border after Texas claimed independence; disagreement between Texas and Mexico leading to the Mexican-American War.

 John Slidell

sent by Polk to try to purchase Calif. from Mex.;) but the Mexicans wouldn't sell it to the Americans for any price.

Treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo

Treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, granting the U.S. significant territory.

Wilmot-Proviso

Proposal to bar slavery in territories acquired from Mexico; highlighted sectional tensions.

Popular Sovereignty

Policy allowing states to decide the status of slavery via legislature, proposed by Senator Cass.

Compromise of 1850

A series of laws aimed at resolving sectional conflict over slavery; included California's admission as a free state.

Stephen Douglas

Key figure in passing the Compromise of 1850 and proponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

Free Soil Party

Political party opposing the expansion of slavery into new territories, emphasizing free labor.

Fugitive Slave Act

Part of the Compromise of 1850, allowing for the capture of runaway slaves without trial rights.

Ostend Manifesto

Secret proposal to purchase Cuba from Spain, leaked to the public, raising tensions over slavery.

Bleeding Kansas

Violence between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas, foreshadowing the Civil War.

John Brown

Radical abolitionist who led a violent raid against slavery at Harpers Ferry; became a martyr.

Charles Sumner

Senator who was assaulted for his anti-slavery speech; became a symbol of the sectional divide.

Slave Power Conspiracy

The belief that Southern slave owners were conspiring to extend slavery's reach in government.

Republican Party

Political party formed in 1854 with a platform of anti-slavery and support for free labor.

Freeport Doctrine

Douglas's assertion that territories could exclude slavery prior to forming a constitution.

Gag Rule

Regulation that prevented Congress from discussing anti-slavery petitions, highlighting Southern control.

Buchanan

Democratic president who supported pro-slavery policies in Kansas amidst rising sectional tensions.

Dred Scott V.S. Sanford

Supreme Court decision ruling that African Americans could not sue and nullifying the Missouri Compromise.

Lecompton Constitution

Pro-slavery constitution in Kansas that was rejected by voters, delaying statehood.

Lincoln

18th President who opposed the expansion of slavery, led the Union during the Civil War, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

Fort Sumter

Federal fort in South Carolina where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.