APUSH: Unit 5, Chapter 13

Key Terms and Names

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that the expansion of the United States across the American continents was both justified and inevitable, often used to rationalize territorial acquisitions; seen as a God given right Johnto spread democracy and civilization.

John L. O’Sullivan

Journalist who coined the term "Manifest Destiny" in the 1840s, advocating for westward expansion of the United States.

“Young Americans”

A political and cultural movement in the mid-19th century, emphasizing nationalism, territorial expansion, and modernization within the United States.

Stephen Austin

American empresario known as the "Father of Texas," who led the first successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families to settle.

Santa Anna

Mexican dictator and president known for his role in the Texas Revolution, particularly in the Battle of the Alamo.

Goliad

A site of a significant battle and massacre during the Texas Revolution, where Texian captives were executed by Mexican forces under Santa Anna.

Alamo

A famous mission and battle site in San Antonio, Texas, where a small group of Texian defenders held out against Santa Anna's forces in 1836.

San Jacinto

The decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, fought on April 21, 1836, where Texian forces led by Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna's troops, resulting in Texan independence.

Sam Houston

A military leader and politician who played a key role in the Texas Revolution and served as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Davey Crockett

An American frontiersman and folk hero who fought at the Alamo and is remembered for his bravery and leadership during the Texas Revolution.

Lone Star Republic

The nickname for the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845, symbolizing its independence and struggle against Mexico, characterized by the single star on its flag.

Marcus and Narcissa Whitman

American missionaries who traveled to Oregon in the 1830s, establishing a mission and contributing to the westward expansion through their work with Native Americans. They played a significant role in promoting settlement in the Oregon Territory, but their later conflicts with local tribes led to their tragic deaths in 1847.

Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails

Key overland routes that facilitated westward expansion in the 19th century, connecting the eastern United States to the western territories, promoting migration and commerce. These trails were critical for settlers moving westward, enabling journeys to Oregon, California, and New Mexico for farming, gold mining, and trade.

James K. Polk

The 11th President of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849, who was a strong proponent of westward expansion, known for his role in the Mexican-American War and the acquisition of territories including California and New Mexico.

“Fifty-Four Forty or Fight”

A slogan used by expansionists in the 1840s advocating for U.S. control over the entire Oregon Territory up to the latitude line of 54°40′, emphasizing the willingness to go to war with Britain if necessary to achieve this goal.

Nueces and Rio Grande River

Rivers that marked the disputed border between Texas and Mexico, significant in the lead-up to the Mexican-American War, with the Rio Grande being claimed by the U.S. as the southern boundary of Texas. The Nueces River served as the boundary claimed by Mexico, while the Rio Grande was asserted by the United States, leading to territorial disputes and conflict.

General Zachary Taylor

A career officer in the United States Army who became a national hero during the Mexican-American War, later serving as the 12th President of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850.

Mexican War

A conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848, primarily over territorial disputes following the U.S. annexation of Texas. The war resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada.

John Slidell

An American diplomat dispatched by President Polk to Mexico in 1845 to negotiate the purchase of California and New Mexico, and to settle the Texas-Mexico boundary dispute. His failure to secure these territories contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

Bear Flag Republic

A short-lived California state declared in 1846 by American settlers in revolt against Mexican rule, shortly before the Mexican-American War.

Stephen W. Kearney

An American military officer who played a pivotal role in the Mexican-American War by leading U.S. forces in the conquest of New Mexico and California. He is known for his successful capture of Santa Fe and his march to California, which helped secure American control over the region.

Winfield Scott

A senior U.S. Army officer during the Mexican-American War, Winfield Scott is best known for his successful campaign to seize Mexico City, which was instrumental in securing American victory in the war.

Treaty of Guadelupe Hidalgo

The treaty signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War, resulting in the U.S. gaining large territories including California and New Mexico, and recognizing the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas.

Wilmot Proviso

A proposed amendment in 1846 suggesting that any territory acquired from Mexico should be free from slavery. It sparked significant debate over the expansion of slavery in the United States.

Lewis Cass

An American politician and military officer who served as a U.S. Senator and was a key proponent of popular sovereignty regarding the issue of slavery in the territories. He was the Democratic presidential candidate in 1848 and later served as Secretary of War.

Free Soil Movement

A political movement in the mid-19th century that sought to prevent the expansion of slavery into the western territories of the United States. It advocated for free land and free men, emphasizing that new states should not permit slavery.

Sutter’s Mill

The site in California where gold was discovered in 1848, leading to the California Gold Rush. It significantly contributed to westward expansion and increased migration to the western United States.

Forty-Niners

The 95% of men that arrived in the California territory during the California Gold Rush. Many left families, homes, and jobs to find gold in 1849.

Sectional Crisis

The division between the North and South over the issue of slavery.

Compromise of 1850

A series of legislative measures aimed at resolving disputes over slavery, including the admission of California as a free state, the Fugitive Slave Act, and the organization of Utah and New Mexico territories.

Stephan Douglas

A prominent American politician and leader in the Democratic Party who played a significant role in the debates over slavery and was known for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and his rivalry with Abraham Lincoln.

Fugitive Slave Act

Legislation requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners, intensifying sectional tensions.

Ostend Manifesto

A document written in 1854 that urged the United States to acquire Cuba from Spain, justifying the expansionist policy and fueling anti-slavery sentiments.

Transcontinental Railroad

A railroad that would span the continent, facilitating the movement of people and goods across the United States, completed in 1869.

Gadsden Purchase

A 1853 agreement in which the United States acquired land from Mexico (present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico) to facilitate a southern transcontinental railroad.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

A 1854 law that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing settlers to decide on the legality of slavery in those territories through popular sovereignty.

Republican Party

Anti-Slavery Northerners

“Bleeding Kansas”

A slew of violence that had emerged after the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Under popular sovereignty, politicians began to rush to settle the territory and rig the vote to be pro-slavery. Kansas = slave state now. Free states held a convention to adopt a constitution that excluded slavery; President Polk saw these people as traitors

John Brown

Host of the Pottawatomie Massacre; believed he was an instrument of God’s will to destroy slavery.

Potawatomie Massacre

John Brown moved to Kansas to fight for free states, murdered five pro-slavery settlers. Led to more sectional controversy

Preston Brooks/Charles Sumner

Created more sectional conflict, Charles Sumner seen as a hero in the North, Preston Brooks seen as a hero in the South

Dred Scott Case

Dred Scott’s Argument:

• Was a slave in a free territory

• returned to Missouri to challenge slavery

Sanford’s Argument:

• Declared Scott as a slave

• He was not a citizen (property) and could therefore not sure in court

Ruling:

• Ruled in Sanford’s favor

• Dred Scott = not a citizen

• Moving to a free territory does not make a slave free (property rights under the 4th amendment)

Impact:

• Sectional Crisis deepens

• Missouri Compromise was un-constitutional

Lecompton Controversy

President Buchanen admits Kansas as a slave state

• called for constitutional convention

  • Pro-slavery forces won over the convention and framed a constitution legalizing slavery; refused to give voters a chance to reject it

  • rejected by over 10,000 votes; pressured to be applied anyway

  • Congress didn’t give voters a chance to make Kansas a free state, despite their votes

Lincoln Douglas Debates

Lincoln - anti-slavery (didn’t want it to spread, was not an abolitionist)

Douglas - popular sovereignty

Outcome: Douglas wins, Lincoln gains a name for the election

Harper’s Ferry

• John Brown plans to attack the U.S. arsenal at Harper’s Ferry; slave rebellion

• 10 of Brown’s men were killed, Brown surrendered and was tried for treason

  • found guilty + hanged

Deepened sectional tensions. Enraged the South, convinced the South that the North was dangerous and didn’t want them in the Union

the Election of 1860

Candidates:

• Steven Douglas - popular sovereignty

• John C. Breackinridge (South) - pro slavery

• Abraham Lincoln (North) - anti slavery (ish, moderate)

Take a fat guess who won