Chapters 14-17 APUSH

West Africa Squadron

Naval unit suppressing Atlantic slave trade; To enforce British abolition of the slave trade in West Africa; Helped intercept slave ships and reduce illegal slave trading; Contributed to decline of transatlantic slave trade

black belt

Region in the Deep South with fertile soil and high slave population; Expansion of cotton plantations; Center of Southern agriculture and slavery; Economic dependence on slavery intensified

breakers

Slave drivers who forced harsh work; Enforce productivity on plantations; Represented cruelty of slavery; Increased resistance and fear among enslaved people

Responsorial

A style of African American church music; Blending African and Christian traditions; Fostered community and spiritual resilience; Influenced gospel and jazz traditions

Nat Turner’s rebellion

Uprising of enslaved people in Virginia (1831); Resistance to slavery and oppression; Heightened Southern fear of slave revolts; Harsher slave laws and repression

Amistad

Ship where enslaved Africans rebelled in 1839; Captives resisted illegal transport in Cuba; Famous court case in the U.S.; Strengthened abolitionist movement and legal precedent

American Colonization Society

Organization promoting resettlement of freed slaves to Africa; Belief that freed blacks should return to Africa; Founded Liberia; Mixed reactions among African Americans and abolitionists

The Liberator

Anti-slavery newspaper by William Lloyd Garrison; To promote immediate abolition; Influential abolitionist voice; Radicalized anti-slavery movement

American Anti-Slavery Society

Organization advocating immediate emancipation; Reaction to slavery and moral reform; National network of abolitionists; Pressured political action against slavery

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

Autobiography of former slave; To expose the realities of slavery; Powerful abolitionist tool; Influenced public opinion on slavery

Mason-Dixon line

Boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland; Colonial-era land dispute; Came to symbolize North-South divide; Used as reference for sectional tensions over slavery

Gag Resolution

Congressional rule preventing discussion of slavery; To suppress anti-slavery petitions; Angered abolitionists; Stimulated political activism and resistance

slave narratives

Firsthand accounts of enslaved people; To reveal cruelty of slavery; Tools for abolitionist movement; Influenced public perception and policy

Tariff of 1842

Protective tariff on imported goods; Economic protectionism; Boosted U.S. industry; Heightened sectional tension

Caroline

Ship involved in U.S.-Canada border skirmish; Canadian rebels supported against Britain; International incident; Strained U.S.-British relations

Republic

Political state governed by elected representatives; Desire for self-government; Model for U.S. expansion and democracy; Inspired national identity

Aroostook War

Border conflict between U.S. and Britain over Maine; Dispute over boundary lines; Peaceful resolution avoided full-scale war; Defined U.S.-Canada border

Manifest Destiny

Belief U.S. was destined to expand westward; Expansionism ideology; Justified territorial acquisitions; Led to Mexican-American War and displacement of natives

Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty ending Mexican-American War; Peace settlement with Mexico; U.S. gained Southwest territories; Expanded U.S. territory significantly

Treaty

Formal agreement between nations; Resolve disputes or define boundaries; Shaped international relations; Affected territorial control and diplomacy

Conscience Whigs

Anti-slavery Whigs opposing Mexican-American War; Opposed expansion of slavery; Moral opposition influenced politics; Contributed to party divisions

Wilmot Proviso

Proposed ban on slavery in territories from Mexico; Moral and political opposition to slavery; Failed in Senate but sparked debate; Strengthened sectional conflict

Fire-eaters

Extremist Southern pro-slavery politicians; Defend slavery aggressively; Encouraged secessionist sentiment; Heightened tensions before Civil War

Popular sovereignty

Policy allowing territories to vote on slavery; Compromise over sectional tensions; Attempted to settle slavery disputes; Often led to violence, e.g., Bleeding Kansas

Seventh of March speech

Daniel Webster speech supporting Compromise of 1850; To prevent secession and civil war; Influential in passing compromise; Divided Northern opinion

Free Soil party

Political party opposing expansion of slavery; Prevent spread into western territories; Influenced elections and national debate; Strengthened anti-slavery political presence

California gold rush

Mass migration to California for gold discovery; Economic opportunity and westward expansion; Population boom and statehood; Economic growth and displacement of natives

Compromise of 1850

Legislation addressing slavery and territorial issues; Attempt to settle sectional disputes; Avoided immediate civil war temporarily; Created tensions with Fugitive Slave Law

Underground Railroad

Network helping enslaved people escape; Opposition to slavery; Assisted thousands to freedom; Increased sectional tensions

Fugitive Slave Law

Law requiring return of escaped slaves; Enforce property rights of slaveholders; Northern outrage strengthened abolitionism; Underground Railroad activity increased

Clayton-Bulwer Treaty

Treaty between U.S. and Britain over Central America canal; Prevent unilateral control; Prevented conflict over canal rights; Delayed U.S. canal construction until later

Ostend Manifesto

Proposal for U.S. to purchase Cuba; Expansionist and pro-slavery aims; Fueled Northern suspicion of “slave power”; Political controversy and rejection

Opium War

Conflict between Britain and China over trade; Trade disputes and opium smuggling; Treaty ports opened to foreigners; Expanded Western influence in China

Kansas-Nebraska Act

Law allowing popular sovereignty in new territories; Repeal of Missouri Compromise; Territorial violence and “Bleeding Kansas”; Deepened sectional crisis

Wanghia Treaty

Treaty between U.S. and China; Establish trade relations; Opened ports to U.S. merchants; Enhanced U.S.-China commerce

Kanagawa Treaty

Treaty opening Japan to U.S. trade; Matthew Perry expedition; Ended Japanese isolation; Established U.S.-Japan relations

Gadsden Purchase

U.S. purchase of land from Mexico; Facilitate southern transcontinental railroad; Defined southern U.S.-Mexico border; Enabled railroad construction

The Age of Reason

Book by Thomas Paine promoting deism; Question traditional religion; Influenced rationalist thought; Encouraged secularism in U.S.

Second Great Awakening

Religious revival movement; Moral reform and evangelism; Sparked social reform movements; Influenced abolition, temperance, and women’s rights

Onieda Community

Utopian communal society in New York; Social reform and shared property; Experimented with free love and communal living; Influenced communal movements

Burned-Over District

Region in New York known for religious fervor; Second Great Awakening hotspot; Inspired reform movements; Birthplace of multiple religious sects

Mormonism

Religious movement founded by Joseph Smith; Religious revival and persecution; Migration to Utah and communal society; Established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

American Temperance

Social movement against alcohol consumption; Combat social problems from drinking; Influenced legislation and moral reform; Led to local and state alcohol restrictions

Maine Law (1851)

State prohibition law banning alcohol; Temperance movement victory; First statewide prohibition law; Set precedent for later prohibition

Woman’s Rights

Social movement advocating equality for women; Gender inequality activism; Seneca Falls Convention and reforms; Influenced suffrage and legal rights movements

Common School

Publicly funded education system; Demand for literacy and civic education; Expanded access to education; Foundation for modern public schooling

Transcendentalism

Philosophical and literary movement; Emphasis on individual intuition and nature; Influenced literature and social reform; Encouraged self-reliance and abolitionism

New Harmony

Utopian community in Indiana; Social reform and communal living; Short-lived experiment in equality; Influenced later communal and cooperative movements

Brook Farm

Utopian transcendentalist community in Massachusetts; Social and educational reform; Experiment in communal living; Influenced literature and reform ideals

Shakers

Utopian religious communities emphasizing celibacy and work; Early religious reform; Influenced furniture design and communal living; Communities eventually declined

Hudson River School

Artistic movement focusing on American landscapes; Cultural nationalism and romanticism; Developed American art identity; Inspired appreciation of nature

Federal Style

Architectural style based on Roman classicism; Post-Revolutionary American nationalism; Defined early U.S. architecture; Influenced civic and residential buildings

Greeley Revival

Religious revival led by Horace Greeley; Promote moral reform; Fueled social activism; Influenced reform movements

Winfield Scott

U.S. general and military leader; Mexican-American War and Civil War campaigns; Developed professional military strategies; Influenced U.S. military doctrine

John Tyler

10th U.S. President; Accession after Harrison’s death; Annexed Texas; Expanded U.S. territory

James K. Polk

11th U.S. President; Advocated Manifest Destiny; War with Mexico and territorial expansion; Acquired Southwest territories

Nicholas P. Trist

U.S. diplomat; Negotiated Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo; Ended Mexican-American War; Territorial gains for U.S.

Stephen W. Kearny

U.S. Army officer; Military conquest in Southwest; Mexican-American War campaigns; Facilitated U.S. control of New Mexico

John C. Frémont

Explorer and military officer; Mapping and conquest of West; Influenced California statehood; Expanded U.S. influence in West

David Wilmot

Congressman; Proposed Wilmot Proviso; Opposed slavery expansion; Influenced political debates on slavery

Lewis Cass

Senator and diplomat; Promoted popular sovereignty; Compromise approach to slavery; Tried to ease sectional tensions

Millard Fillmore

13th U.S. President; Signed Compromise of 1850; Limited sectional crisis temporarily; Influenced antebellum politics

Zachary Taylor

U.S. general and 12th President; Mexican-American War hero; Short presidency, opposed some compromises; Tension over slavery expansion

Franklin Pierce

14th U.S. President; Supported Kansas-Nebraska Act; Failed to ease sectional tensions; Contributed to pre-Civil War divisions

Harriet Tubman

Abolitionist and conductor on Underground Railroad; Help enslaved people escape; Rescued hundreds from slavery; Icon of resistance and freedom

William Walker

Filibuster and adventurer; Attempted to take control of Central American territories; Influenced expansionist actions; Failed in most endeavors

Caleb Cushing

Diplomat; U.S.-China trade negotiations; Wanghia Treaty opened trade; Expanded U.S. international influence

Matthew C. Perry

U.S. naval officer; Opened Japan to U.S. trade; Kanagawa Treaty ended Japanese isolation; Expanded U.S.-Japan relations

Theodore Dwight Weld

Abolitionist writer and speaker; Moral opposition to slavery; Influential in anti-slavery movement; Educated public and inspired activism

William T. Johnson

Free Black man and slave owner in New Orleans; Unique case of Black slaveholding; Illustrated complexity of slavery; Rare exception to general patterns

William Lloyd Garrison

Abolitionist and journalist; Founded The Liberator; Prominent radical abolitionist voice; Influenced anti-slavery activism

Nat Turner

Leader of slave rebellion in Virginia; Resisted oppression; Nat Turner’s rebellion; Triggered stricter slave laws

David Walker

Abolitionist writer; Published Appeal to the Colored Citizens; Called for resistance to slavery; Influenced radical abolitionists

Sojourner Truth

Abolitionist and women’s rights activist; Advocated freedom and equality; Public speaker and activist; Advanced abolition and women’s rights

Martin Delany

African-American leader, abolitionist; Promoted Black nationalism and emigration; Influential Black activist; Encouraged self-determination for African Americans

Frederick Douglass

Former slave, abolitionist; Exposed slavery through speeches and writings; Prominent anti-slavery leader; Influenced public opinion and reform

William Wilberforce

British politician; Leader in movement to abolish slave trade; Abolition of British slave trade; Influenced international anti-slavery efforts

John Audubon

Artist and naturalist; Documented North American birds; Cultural and scientific contribution; Influenced ornithology and American art

Stephen C. Foster

Composer; Folk music of U.S. South; Cultural influence on music; Popularized minstrel and folk songs

Peter Cartwright

Methodist preacher; Religious revivalism; Spread Second Great Awakening; Influenced American religious culture

Charles Grandison Finney

Revivalist preacher; Second Great Awakening; Popularized evangelical reform; Influenced abolition and temperance

Brigham Young

Mormon leader; Led followers to Utah; Established Mormon settlements in West; Ensured survival of Mormon community

Joseph Smith

Founder of Mormonism; Religious revival; Founded Church of Latter-Day Saints; Inspired migration and communal religion

Walt Whitman

Poet and writer; Celebrated democracy and individuality; Literary influence in U.S. culture; Influenced modern poetry

Emily Dickinson

Poet; Explored themes of death, nature, individuality; Literary impact on American literature; Shaped modern poetic style

Susan B. Anthony

Women’s rights activist; Suffrage and gender equality; Prominent leader in women’s rights movement; Advanced cause of women’s voting rights

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Philosopher and writer; Transcendentalist leader; Influenced literature and reform; Promoted self-reliance and abolitionism

Henry David Thoreau

Writer and philosopher; Civil disobedience and nature observation; Transcendentalist thought; Influenced social reform and environmentalism

Louisa May Alcott

Writer; Author of Little Women; Literary and social influence; Advocated women’s education and morality

Edgar Allan Poe

Writer and poet; Gothic and macabre literature; Literary impact on American fiction; Influenced horror and detective genres

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Writer; Focused on moral complexity of humans; Literary influence; Explored Puritanism and moral themes

Robert Owen

Social reformer and utopianist; Founded New Harmony; Experimented with communal living; Influenced later cooperative movements

Frances Parkman

Historian; Documented American frontier history; Chronicled Native and colonial interactions; Historiographical impact; Shaped understanding of U.S. expansion