Final Exam, 1877

Slavery and Sectionalism

Slavery and Sectionalism

The economic system where individuals are owned and forced to work without pay. It caused division between the North and South of the United States due to differing views on its morality and legality.

Abolitionist

A person who advocated for the end of slavery and believed in the equality of all races. They played a crucial role in the abolition movement during the 18th and 19th centuries, using various methods such as writing, speaking, and organizing protests to fight against the institution of slavery.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the power of the government comes from the people, who have the right to vote and make decisions through elected representatives.

Free Soil Party

Political party formed in 1848 to oppose the spread of slavery into Western territories. Advocated for free soil, free labor, and free men.

Lincoln-Doughlas Debate

Series of seven debates held in 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas for the Illinois Senate seat. Topics included slavery, popular sovereignty, and the Dred Scott decision. Lincoln's strong performance gained national attention and helped propel him to the presidency in 1860.

Raid on Harper’s Ferry

Violent abolitionist attack led by John Brown on a federal arsenal in Harper's Ferry, Virginia in 1859. Aimed to arm enslaved people and spark a rebellion against slavery. Ultimately failed, as Brown was captured, tried, and executed. Significantly intensified tensions between the North and South, leading to the American Civil War.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

s a law passed in 1854 that allowed popular sovereignty to determine the issue of slavery in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise and led to violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas.

Sumner/Brooks Incident

"Violent clash in US Congress between Senator Sumner and Representative Brooks in 1856. Sumner criticized pro-slavery forces, angering Brooks who brutally beat him with a cane. Significance: Highlighted tensions over slavery and deepened divisions between North and South leading up to the Civil War."

Radical Republicans

Wanted to see slavery end, citizenship granted to slaves, they wanted to see the south punished

John Brown

American abolitionist who believed in armed insurrection to end slavery. Led the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, aiming to arm slaves and start a rebellion. Captured and executed, his actions intensified tensions between the North and South, ultimately contributing to the start of the American Civil War.

Abraham Lincoln

Flashcard: 16th President of the United States. Led the country during the Civil War and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in Confederate states. Assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. Known for his eloquent speeches, including the Gettysburg Address.

Secession

The act of a group or region breaking away from a larger political entity to form an independent state or join another. Example: The secession of the Confederacy from the United States during the American Civil War."

Emancipation Proclamation

A significant executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862, declaring all enslaved people in Confederate territory to be freed.

Black Codes

Laws enacted in Southern states after the Civil War to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans.

The Cornerstone Speech

A speech delivered by Alexander H. Stephens in 1861, advocating for the Confederacy and defending slavery as its cornerstone. It emphasized racial inequality and the preservation of white supremacy. The speech highlighted the ideological differences between the North and the South and contributed to the tensions that led to the American Civil War.

Plessy vs. Ferguson

Landmark Supreme Court case (1896) upholding "separate but equal" doctrine. Ruled that racial segregation in public facilities is constitutional as long as facilities are equal. Led to decades of legalized segregation and discrimination until Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturned it.

Strategies and trends of the Civil war

Strategies and trends of the Civil War:

1. Anaconda Plan: Union's strategy to blockade Confederate ports and control the Mississippi River.

2. Total War: Both sides used this strategy, targeting civilian infrastructure and resources to weaken the enemy.

3. Emancipation Proclamation: Issued by Lincoln, it declared all slaves in Confederate territory free.

4. Confederate Guerrilla Warfare: Irregular warfare tactics used by Confederate soldiers to disrupt Union forces.

5. Gettysburg Address: Lincoln's speech emphasizing the importance of preserving the Union and equality for all citizens.

Reconstruction

Period after the American Civil War (1865-1877) when the United States government aimed to rebuild and reunite the nation. It involved efforts to integrate former slaves into society, establish new political and economic systems in the South, and address the lingering effects of slavery.

13th amendment

"This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It was ratified on December 6, 1865."

14th amendment

Equal protection under the law for all citizens, regardless of race or nationality. Granted citizenship to former slaves and prohibited states from denying citizens their rights.

15th amendment

"Granting the right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Passed in 1870 during Reconstruction."

15th amendment

granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting any form of racial discrimination in voting practices."

Battle fo Bull Run

First major battle of the American Civil War. Took place on July 21, 1861, in Virginia. Confederate victory. Showed both sides that the war would be long and bloody.

Battle of Antietam

Deadliest single-day battle of the American Civil War fought on September 17, 1862, in Maryland. Union forces led by General McClellan clashed with Confederate forces led by General Lee. Resulted in over 22,000 casualties. Considered a Union victory as Lee retreated, preventing a Confederate invasion of the North.

Siege of Vicksburg

Battle during the American Civil War where Union forces under General Grant besieged Confederate-held Vicksburg, Mississippi. Lasted from May 18 to July 4, 1863. Union victory that cut the Confederacy in two and gave control of the Mississippi River to the Union. Turning point in the war.

Compromise of 1850

Legislation that aimed to resolve conflicts between free and slave states in the US. It admitted California as a free state, established popular sovereignty for Utah and New Mexico territories, banned slave trade in Washington D.C., and implemented a stricter Fugitive Slave Act.

US Grant

8th President of the United States (1869-1877). Led Union forces to victory in the Civil War. Implemented Reconstruction policies to promote civil rights for African Americans. Known for his military expertise and commitment to equality.

10% plan

"Reconstruction plan proposed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It offered amnesty to Confederate states if 10% of voters pledged loyalty to the Union, abolished slavery, and established new state governments. Aimed to quickly restore the Union and grant political rights to African Americans."

President Andrew Johnson

• 17th President of the United States

• Served from 1865 to 1869

• Impeached by House of Representatives in 1868

• Acquitted by Senate, narrowly avoiding removal from office

• Known for his lenient Reconstruction policies

• Opposed civil rights for freed slaves

• Oversaw the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867

• Died in 1875, shortly after leaving office

A system of farming in which landowners provide the land, tools, and seed to laborers, who in return give a portion of their crops as rent.

Sharecropping

Vagrancy

Definition: The state of being homeless or without a permanent residence, often resulting in the act of begging or engaging in illegal activities to survive.

Compromise of 1877

This compromise marked the end of Reconstruction in the United States. It resulted in the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending the protection of civil rights for African Americans. In return, Rutherford B. Hayes became president and promised to support Southern infrastructure projects."

Election of 1860

Presidential election held in 1860, resulting in the victory of Abraham Lincoln, a Republican candidate. It was a highly contentious election that deepened the divide between the North and South, ultimately leading to the secession of several southern states and the onset of the American Civil War.

Freedman’s Bureau

Government agency established in 1865 to assist newly freed slaves and impoverished whites after the Civil War. Provided food, education, medical care, and legal assistance.

Corwin Amendment

Proposed amendment to the United States Constitution in 1861 that would have protected the institution of slavery in states where it already existed.