LAP 3 American History ACP Study Guide

What does the US Constitution say to support slavery? Oppose slavery?

Preamble: “We the people of the US” (oppose)

Article I Sec. 2: pop. will be determined by adding 3/5 of all other persons (support)

Article I Sec. 9: importation of slaves is outlawed after 1808

Article IV Sec. 2: slaves will be given back to owner if they flee (support)

What is the relationship between States’ Rights and slavery in the US?

• Some states began to outlaw slavery

• The South worked to protect and expand it

Relate the Northwest Ordinance and the Missouri Compromise

Northwest (1789) banned slavery in the Northwest Territory. The MO Compromise banned slavery above the 36 30 line except MO.

Manifest Destiny

U.S.’ god-given right to expand territory (Atlantic to Pacific)

DOX: List several arguments for and against Manifest Destiny

For:

• more land + resources for ag.

• spread civilization/liberty/democracy

• less neighbors to protect borders

Against:

• unbalance b/w free/slave states

Contrast the actions of Stephen Austin and Sam Houston

SA: 1821- encouraged settlers to Texas

SH: led Texas Rev against St. Ana

When Americans first moved into Texas, what was expected of them? Problems?

Mexican Law: no slaves; become Mexican citizen + Catholic

Americans violated this right

How was the Republic of Texas created and why was it short-lived?

Sam Houston won the Battle of San Jacinto and gained Texas independence in 1836 (Republic of Texas).

What two problems slowed Texas’ annexation/ application for statehood?

• will disrupt balance b/w free/slave states

• need to settle border disputes b/w Texas + Mexico

Causes: Diplomatically, what did Polk try in order to gain California?

Offered $30 million for California (rejected)

Causes: What happened when US troops were ordered to the Rio Grande? Why?

Bloodshed of Americans “on American soil.” Mexicans argue Americans invaded them. (undefined border)

Course: New strategy/tech? Where fought? How did the US win the Mex War?

New Tech: “flying artillery”- fast moving cannons

Where: Mexican territory

How won: US captures Mexico City (capital)

Results: How did the US benefit from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (3)?

• U.S. gets California

• pay Mexico $15 million

• define Texas border that U.S. wanted

After the war, what did the Wilmot Proviso try to do?

The Mexican Cession would be declared free territory.

Why did the Wilmot Proviso fail to pass into law (congressional math)?

The House of Reps (pop) passed it, but the Senate (50/50) didn’t.

Why would some voters support the Wilmot Proviso? Oppose it?

• Support: Many Northerners wanted to prevent slavery from expanding.

• Oppose: Many Southerners believed Congress had no right to prohibit slavery in territories and feared losing political power.

Why was California the 1st area of the Mexican Cession ready for statehood?

The Gold Rush (1849) brought 90,000 to California, enough population for statehood.

Where was gold 1st found in CA and how did most people “strike it rich”?

Gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill on the Sacramento River.

Merchants were becoming wealthy by selling supplies to miners

What did Northerners support (2) in the Comp of 1850? Southerners (2)?

North:

• CA-free

• UT + NM- popular sovereignty

• no slave trade in DC

South:

• Fugitive Slave Law- illegal to help runaways

• Congress won’t interfere where it exists

• UT + NW- popular sovereignty

What is popular sovereignty, and where was this allowed after 1850?

Popular sovereignty: left the people free to form and regulate their own rules about slavery

Where: UT + NM

Who led Southern opposition to the Compromise? Concern?

Who: John C. Calhoun

Concern: disrupt balance b/w free/slave states

What was the Fugitive Slave Law, and why did many Northerners object to it?

What: required runaways to return to their owners and illegal to help runaways

How did Manifest Destiny/ the addition of new states help cause the Civil War?

• unbalance b/w free/slave states

• expanding slavery

According to the KS-NE Act, how would the slavery issue be settled in those territories?