APUSH Period 5 Timeline

“Manifest Destiny” term

1845

The belief that the US had the divine right to gain territory and spread influence westward

Justified US’s gaining of territory morally

“The Narrative Life of Frederick Douglas, an American Slave”

1845

Written by Frederick Douglas that details his experiences as a slave and his journey to freedom. It serves as a powerful narrative advocating for abolition

Helped fuel abolitionist movements

Polk Presidency

1845-1849

Big expansionist!

During his presidency the United States expanded significantly through the annexation of Texas and the Oregon Treaty, as well as the acquisition of territory from Mexico after the Mexican American War

US acquired Oregon Territory

1846

The result of negotiations with Britain, which established the 49th parallel as the northern boundary of the US in the Pacific Northwest

US and GB both laid claim to Oregon → 50/50 split w/ Britain

Spot Resolutions

1847

8 resolutions that Lincoln proposed that said that Polk should give congress the exact place US blood was spilled

(Wanted to prevent going to war with Mexico)

Polk ignored this and fought Mexico anyways

Mexican American War

1846-1848

The conflict between the United States and Mexico, triggered by disputes over Texas and territorial expansion, leading to significant territorial gains for the U.S

Wilmot Proviso

1846

Amendment proposed to ban all slavery in newly acquired territories

Doesn’t pass by 1 vote

Southerners felt threatened that their economic system would become jeopardized

Free Soil Party

1848 (established)

Northern Democrats and Whigs agreed with the Wilmot Proviso and believed slavery should NOT be allowed in the west at all

Did not care about slavery in the south but wanted the west to have opportunities for poor whites

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848

Mexico agreed to sell territories for $15 million, recognize Rio Grande as the boarder, and take responsibility for anything US citizens claimed happened by Mexico

Treaty signed between the US and Mexico that officially ended the Mexican American War

Compromise of 1850

Compromise proposed by Henry Clay after California wanted to enter as a free state

California was allowed to be entered as a free state

In return the fugitive slave law was strengthened

“7th of March Speech” delivered by Daniel Webster (secretary of state) and supported the passing of the compromise → the compromise being passed

“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”

1851

Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe

Novel created to spread abolitionist ideals

Led to many Northerners and Westerners joining the abolitionist movement

Banned in the south

Kansas-Nebraska Act

1854

Proposed popular sovereignty (popular vote determines if state is free / slave state) in Kansas and Nebraska territories

Made to gain favor from the south for the transcontinental railroad

Officially overrides the Missouri Compromise

Bleeding Kansas

1854-1861

People from both standpoints on slavery came flooding into Kansas so they could sway the vote for popular sovereignty

Caused mass rioting and injury in the streets of Kansas

Dred Scott vs. Sanford

1857

Dred Scott argued that since he lived in Wisconsin (free-state), he was a free citizen and should get his freedom

This led to the Supreme Court ruling the African Americans are not US citizens and congress CAN’T take away property anywhere

Made slavery legal all over the nation

Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1858

Debate before the presidential election that mainly discussed how the union would survive and how they would deal with slavery

Important because this effectively alienated Douglas from the Southern Democrats because he proposed popular sovereignty to decide if a state is a slave state or a free state

Harpers’ Ferry Raid

1859

Significant factor in inciting Civil War

John Brown intends to lead slave rebellion with weapons from Harpers’ Ferry

Stopped by Robert E. Lee

South takes this as a sign that the north will go to great lengths to end slavery

Election of 1860

Lincoln (Republican) appealed to everywhere but the South and won the election after gaining electoral votes without any of the south’s votes

this led South Carolina to secede (out of fear that he would abolish slavery) which led the way for other states in the south to secede as well

The group of seceded states (Confederacy) in the south elected Jefferson Davis as president

Battle of Fort Sumter

1861

First engagement of the war

Lincoln did not send reinforcements to aid them but sent provisions

However, the south saw this as an act of aggression → the Union surrendering

Made north and south more intensified for their causes

Battle of Bull Run

1861

First real battle of the civil war

At the beginning of the war the South had more experienced generals → South winning the battle

Proved to both sides that it would be a very long and costly war (money and lives)

Gettysburg Adress

1863

Speech delivered by Lincoln addressing the soldiers fallen and the dedication of soldiers while fighting a great battle

Officially made war about slavery→ decreased European support for the confederacy

Emancipation Proclamation

1863

Document issued by Abraham Lincoln that freed ANY slaves in the Confederacy but NOT in the Union

Kept boarder states supporting the Union

Made the war about slavery

Didn’t free any slaves technically

Sherman’s March to Sea

1864

General Sherman of the North

Total War, when civilians and cities were attacked / destroyed, began to be implemented

Atlanta to Savannah and burned everything in the path (agriculture, farms, cities, etc.)

Ensured Lincoln’s reelection because the war was dragging out for a long time and people were starting to feel that Lincoln couldn’t get it done

This proved that an end was in sight

Freedman’s Bureau

1865

Organization made during the reconstruction period to help newly freed slaves

Gave education, food, and housing

14th Amendment

1868

Protects African American’s right of citizenship

13th Amendment

Freed all slaves

15th Amendment

1870

Allowed black male suffrage

Impeachment of Andrew Johnson

1868

Congress passes Tenure of Office Act: required senate approval when firing cabinet members

Johnson breaks law → impeached