Studied by 33 PeopleTags & Description
Manifest Destiny
American (European distended migrants) felt that it was their right and responsibility to move/expand to spread ideals (religious ideals and infrastructure, American culture). The goal was the get all the land from the pacific to the Atlantic.
Webster-Ashburton Treaty 1842
Established current boundary between Maine and New Brunswick and the US gained rights on the St. John river. (we will give you more water access, but be more strict about the slave trade off the African coast.)
Free soil Party
were not opposed to the spread of slavery because of morals, but economics. The slaves and large plantations were taking away from the business of the smaller white farmers in the north.
bisectional political parties
The type of politcal parties that were present during the lead up to the civil war. It marked the end of the 2nd party system as different parties such as the republican party emerged. The whigs broke off into multiple different parties.
The Oregon trail
a rough 2,000 mile passage that took 5 months to cross that would take settlers from the east to Oregon and in certain cases California. Many people died of disease. 34k died on the long difficult journey, only 500 being from natives the other thousands died from conditions and disease.
The Oregon dispute
Oregon fever was spurred by the promise of free land. The navy had given the land glowing reviews which was a huge full factor(like Albert Bierstadt's painting). Land-hungry farmers were pulled by the fur trade west. The British still had some land claims there and they demanded the territory between 54-40 or they would fight for it.
Thomas Oliver Larkin
A man who went to California who hoped to promote American ideals and traditions rather than just continuing with the systems that were already formed there. He hoped to eventually colonize and annex California.
John Sutter
An indebted Swiss immigrant and cattle farmer who found gold on his land and prompted the California gold rush.
Gold Rush
After the discovery by John Sutter, 80k settlers arrived in California(mostly young men). The mining towns were filled with young men, which prompted saloons, prostitution, and gambling. Caused many Chinese migrants, Mexicans, and natives to be pushed from the land. Early miners became rich, but many did not. Some returned home. Large businesses and corporations began to be established in California.
Mexican Independence
A very unorganized bloody trail for independence. At the end of their independence movement, they were very unstable both politically and economically. People were declaring themselves as rulers and forming new governments constantly.
The republic of texas
On march 2nd 1836, american rebels declare independence from mexico. They drafted a constitution which legalized slavery. Santa Anna led an army to Almano and Goliad (in texas/northern mexico) and executed 350 prisoners of war in hopes to crush the rebellion(how he saw it). Americans flocked to texas in order to defend it's independence and the american's eventually won. They soon applied for statehood (1845) which prompted more conflict.
Santa Anna
The current ruler of Mexico during the Mexican American war. He was a dictator ruler and believed that he could make examples of the american's by killing them to stop at rebellions. This didn't work and America started a war.
Martin Van Buren
President during the start of the conflict with Mexico. He was hesitant to start a war and after the nullification crisis and the fact that Texas was a slave state he was hesitant to do anything. He served for one term and his actions with Texas cost him his presidency.
James Polk
Wins the election of 44 with his main goal being to annex Texas. His plan was to quickly move to gain as much territory north of the Rio Grande as possible(where the current border is). He negotiates with Mexico and after they refuses he moved troops into Mexico. When Mexico makes a move, Polk asks congress for a declaration of war (which he gets) and the war begins. The stress of dealing with this war caused his eventual death.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio grande river. Mexico gave the U.S. California and New Mexico. U.S gave Mexico 15 million and agreed to settle all land claims of American citizens against Mexico.
The Wilmot Proviso 1846
A provision to Texas’s application for statehood that said that slavery or indentured servitude could not exist and if it does exist there, the people who are doing it will be charged. Passes in the house twice, but not the senate.
American Plan to remove natives
American ranchers began to hunt buffalo in order to remove the native’s main source of resources (food, clothing, shelter etc.). Also, murder and epidemics were also vital to their removal and death.
Election of 1848
Polk declines to run for a second term(and eventually dies). The democrat was Lewis Cass (avid expansionist who wanted to get more Latin american countries, promoted squatter sovereignty). The Whig was General Zachary Taylor (defended slavery in the south but does not wish to expand). Martin Van Buren ran in the free soil party. Zachary Taylor won.
Squatter/popular Sovereignty
Settlers determine whether a state is slave or free based on votes. It is up to the squatter/settlers there. (the popular vote)
Calhoun/Southern Democrats
proposes amendment to create a dual presidency, arguing slavery was property and the federal government had no right to limit it.
Buchanan/Northern Democrats
Extend the Missouri compromise line (make California two states)
New Idea
Stephen Douglas, turns squatter sovereignty into popular sovereignty (let people decide)
Anti-slavery
condemned slavery and argued slavery should be contained and eventually extinguished.
the compromise of 1850
Led by president Millard Fillmore in a desperate attempt to save the union. Passage of 5 new laws-New fugative slave law, allowed popular soverignty in Utah and New Mexico, abolished slave trade in Washington D.C, California enters as a free state, settled land disputes.
The fugitive slave act
Federal marshals HAD to capture anyone suspected of being a runaway. Marshalls were given a bonus or promotion based on how many people they captured. Owners only needed a testimonial from a slave owner which can be easily faked to get people into slavery. 6 months in prison an 1000 dollar fine to anyone who helps a runaway.
Uncle Toms Cabin
An in depth portrayal of slavery written by Harriet Beecher Stowe. It sold around 300,000 copies in a year and 2 million in a decade. Very influential to people’s views on slavery.
Election of 1852 and splinter parties
Whigs and democrats began to get less support and splinter parties are begin to form. Franklin Pierce=Democrat, Winfeild Scott=Whig and John Parker Hale=free soil
The know nothing party
born of anti-catholic and anti-immigrant groups. Formed in 1849, and was first known as the secret order of the star spangled banner and was created in NYC. Wanted to mobilize members against alien menace of immigration and institute literacy tests for voting. Believed the real issue wasn’t slavery but immigration.
Republican party
Formed in Ripon Wisconsin, an exclusively northern party. Was made up of Northern Whigs, Northern Democrats, Free-soilers, and Know-nothings. Others who opposed the kansas-nebraska act also joined the party. Was a crusade against slave power not just slave morality.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Nebraska and Kansas will be chosen slave or free based on popular sovereignty. The bill barely passes. The comprmise line of 1820 no longer exists. It took the sectionalization issue out of the hands of congress.
Territorial Legislature
Antislavery _________ ________ is formed. They create a free state capital in Lawrence. The slave government is nationally recognized. There are two opposing governments in Kansas.
border ruffians
pro slavery raiders who crossed the slave state of Missouri into Texas to sway to popular sovereignty vote. They were a key part of bleeding Kansas.
Bleeding Kansas
Thousands of settlers came to Kansas in an attempt to make it a slave state. In the process, people began to arm themselves against the pro-slavery people who are coming. Two governments were formed and violent battles broke out. This lead to John Browns actions, the canning of Charles Sumner, etc.
John Brown
He took hostages at Harpers ferry. He seized the armory and killed 18 people. He did this with the attempt to gain equality between whites and blacks. The goal was to get blacks weapons in order to free themselves. The raid was unsuccessful and he eventually was tried for murder and treason.
Charles Sumner
He gave a 5 hour speech verbally attacking the south and criticizing Andrew Butler. Preston Brooks, Butler's second cousin, beat him with a cane 50+ times to the point where he was unconscious and had brain damage. The south saw him as their hero and sent him canes. It was the no turning back point on the road to the civil war.
Election of 1856
James Buchanan was the democrat in the race(he wins and people HATE him), John C. Fremont was the republican, Millard Fillmore was the Whig/American party. Regional tensions are very present with north+south being different political parties.
James Buchanan
people did not like him as a president and his poor choices did not help this public support. His response to secession was declaring that it was illegal but also that the federal government could not really stop them from leaving as they could not force them to stay in the union.
Abraham Lincoln
a man who was born poor but eventually worked his way up by educating himself and moved into the political scene. He had bouts of depression that characterized certain parts of his life. He was ambitious in politics and would be the leading president during the civil war.
Lincoln Douglas Debates
Lincoln, now a republican ran for senate in 1858 with the concern that states could have more power over choosing slavery(fearing that slavery would be everywhere). Lincoln and Douglas had 7 debates (Lincoln wanted even more) and eventually Douglass’s ideas would win him the seat. In the debates, douglas who was a white supremacists believed that lincoln had evolved views on equality and that the society in America was created to support white men.
A house divided speech
In this speech, Lincoln predicted american society. He quoted a biblical adage that said that “a house divided against itself cannot stand” He said that either way, slavery would either have to exist everywhere or nowhere. People interpreting this speech as an attempt to remove slavery, but it was really a attempt to keep the union stable.
Freeport Doctrine
said that a terretory was allowed to exclude slavery if they did not adopt laws to protect it. Northerns agreed with the bill and southerners did not. Created by douglas and even though it upset democrats, he was still elected into congress.
Republican party platform 1860
Called for a non-extension of slavery (for the free-soilers), protective tariffs for the northern economy, no abridgment for rights of immigrants (upset the know-nothings) government aid to protect the pacific railroad and internal improvements moving west to gain industry and farmers. These view points helped them in the election of Lincoln and gain northern support.
The crittenden compromise
One of the first attempts to save the union. Created by senator John J. Crittenden on December 18th 1860. It would extend the 36’30 line to california and would protect slavery. But, it proved to be too little too late as southern states already started to secede.
Corwin Amendment
proposed amendment to the consitution passed by congress on march 2nd 1861. Prohibited any amendment to end slavery. It was too little too late once again. It was not ratified by the states (stopped by the civil war) and the confederate states of america were already established by this point.
Unionists
southerners who remained loyal to the union(boarder states) (Missouri, Kentucky, west Virginia (later), Delaware, Maryland)
cooperationists
southerners who did not see Lincolns election as a direct threat. Secede only IF outwardly attacked by the north. (Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia)
Immediatists
Lincolns election proved that republicanism was dead..SECEDE NOW. South Carolina was the first state to secede.
The confederate states of America
established February 4th 1861. Started at 7 states and eventually would become 11. The capital was in Virginia(even though at first they had not seceded). The president was Jefferson Davis(who was unanimously elected) and he served a 6 year term. Constitution was very similar to that of the united states but slavery was protected and legalized and the states had more individual rights.
Lincoln Inaugural address
In his address, he promised to safegaurd slavery where it already existed, but vowed to stop its expansion. He declared that the union was perpetual (the union is fixed) and that secession was illegal. He asserted that he would hold occupy and possess all federal property that was in the seceding states(trying to stop South Carolina from seizing the military base). His final messages was either to return to the union or face war.
Fort Sumter
Before this, Lincoln had not done anything to take the fort or take action against the confederacy. Lincoln said that by april 12th if the confederacy did not surrender, he would take it by force. In the early morning after the ultimatum, CSA bombed FS for 34 hours before the union surrendered. There was only 1 casualty (a horse) as the attack was planned and people could get out. WAS THE POINT OF THE WAR THAT RALLIED SUPPORT ON BOTH SIDES.
Strengths of the union
they had a population of 22 million (4mil of fighting age) in comparison to the South’s 9 million (1.5 mil of fighitng age with 4mil slaves). They north had 70% of the railroads, 80% of industry, 67% of edible agriculture, and 75% of financial institutions.
northern strategy
Union needs to conquer the south to win. The answer was Winfeild Scott’s Anaconda plan. 1) blockade southern ports 2)split in Confederacy with Mississippi river (so take the Mississippi) 3) capture Richmond the capital.
Southern strengths
the cause was independence which was a leading factor in getting soldiers. They had rich military history, trained soldiers and strong leadership. They also had short supply lines so they could get good quickly which was a short term advantage.
Southern Strategy
JUST DO NOT LOSE!!! 2)cotton diplomacy: force Britain to support their cause as they supply the cotton fro thier textile industry (this would not work and Britain would refuse).
The battle of Bull run
The first battle occuring in July 1861 in Virginia, 25 miles from Washington D.C. It was a confederate victory. The significance was that the war would not end quickly or easily and the casualties were very high.
Monitor v. Merrimack
CSS Merrimack was a confederate ship (a union ship that was captured and then fitted with iron siding renamed the virginia) which had the goal to break the union blockade. The USS Monitor was a union ship that was built to battle the CSS Merrimack. The two ships battled off the coast of Virginia at the battle of Hampton roads. March 1862. The battle changed the face of naval warfare forever as the ships became more defensible and naval warfare could be more intricate.
Antietam
On September 17th 1862. General Lee moved into Maryland. The plans were found by the union and in response, the union attacked Antietam. It was the bloodiest single day in American history with 23,000 dead or injured. Was the turning point for the union. Shows how war could happen anywhere as Antietam was farmland.
total war
Lincoln mobilized all the union’s resources toward the war effort. (economic, political and cultural) The confederacy on the other hand was always in total war.
conscription
confederacy instituted the first legally binding draft; all existing soldiers MUST serve for the duration, all men between ages 18-35 MUST serve.
Habeas Corpus
suspending on both dies, allowed governments to arrest for any reason. Arrest without consideration to rights
20 Negro law
If you have 20 slaves you can excuse yourself from service. For every consecutive 20 slaves you own you can pardon someone else. Was a way to get out of southern conscription.
Draft riots in NY
northern conscription was also not popular. Mostly the poor were being drafted (so mostly immigrants) In July of 1863 mostly poor Irish rioted in New York against conscription as they felt like they shouldn’t have to fight in the war.
Emancipation Proclamation
Lincoln in his proclamation, declared that all slaves in states that are currently in rebellion were emancipated. It was an incentive to the slaves states to get them to stay in the union so they could keep slavery. Also tried to get the slaves to rebel against the confederacy. Also an attempt to get states to come back to the union.
Gettysburg
Robert E. Lee leads the confederate troops into North Pennsylvania with the intent of attacking Washington D.C to gain the capital. 70,000 confederate troops meet 90,000 union troops at Gettysburg. After 3 days of violent war, Lee’s army retreats back to Virginia. It was his last attempt to take DC. On July fourth, after the retreat, the union victory at Vicksburg secured control over the mississippi.
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln addresses the many losses in the confederacy. He gives the speech as an attempt to move things forward. The main message was that ideals are worth dying for and that it is up to the living to carry on the work of those who died to protect thier ideals. The ideals of equality and freedom are the bedrock of the U.S nation.
Factor 1 of victory-Morale in the South
motivation was not enough as most people in the south didn’t have slaves so why should they fight for something that they don’t even have. There are low supplies as the south didn’t have strong trade or finances. No one worked on farms and all of these factors led to desertion. Also, peace movements began in the south in an effort to reunite the country.
Factor 2-Total War and U.S Grant
grant was appointed commander of the army in March 1864. He was the hero at Vicksburg which gained them the Mississippi. This victory led to the next goal of capturing Richmond and created the new goal of devastating the south through Sherman’s march to sea.
factor 3-general Sherman in the south
battle of atlanta july 1864. Despite taking heavy casualties Shermans moved into atlanta which was the major industrial center of the south. At this same time, Lincoln was reelected and atlanta was destroyed.
Factor 4-sherman’s march to sea
After burning Atlanta, Sherman took the 300 mile long 60 mile wide oath of destruction where he slautered cattle, destroyed crops, tore up railroad tracks and looted homes and businesses that showed how the union victory was inevitable.
factor 5-fall of richmond
1864, Luincoln wins and choses a southern democrat as his vice president to get the south to come back. By march 1865 the union marches toward Richmond, Lee is overcome by Grant ad they meet at Appomattox court house. Lincoln was generous with out two conditions. The war is over and that the south rejoin the country.
Lincoln’s plan for reconstruction
10% plan which was a proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction. Lincoln believed that the states NEVER seceded from the union. He pardoned all but the highest ranking military and civilian confederate officers. When 10% of the population in the 1860 election had taken oath of loyalty and reestablished a government, the state would be recognized. Pushed for the passage of the 13th amendment. His plan was lenient. Lincoln also formed Lincoln governments in different confederate states which were weak and depended on the the north for survival. White southerners did not see them as legitimate.
Ironclad oath
created by radical republicans. States had to swear that they had: ‘never voluntarily borne arms against the united states, had voluntarily given no aid, continuance, counsel or encouragement to the rebellion.
Wade-Davis Bill (1864)
the radical republican reaction to Lincoln’s plan. Required 50% of the 1860 voters to take the ironclad oath of allegiance. New state constitutions and to be developed, including a ban on slavery. Civilian and military leaders had their right to vote revoked. Lincoln does not sign the bill as it is coming up to an election year.
Lincolns Assassination
April 14th 1865 Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth at fords theater in Washington D.C 5 days after lee surrendered at Appomattox.
Freedman Bureau 1865
began under Lincoln and continued under Johnson. Helped transform former slaves into freedom. Former abolitionists traveled to the south to assist in the transition.
Freedman Schools
The greatest success of the Freedman bureau as now young freed children were able to obtain an education.
13th amendment
ratified december 6th 1865. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude EXCEPT WHEN BEING USED AS PUNISHMENT should not happen in the united states. Congress was given the power to enforce the article onto state legislatures. Mississippi was the last state to ratify the consitution in 2013.
Andrew Johnson
the 17th president. An old-fashioned southern Jacksonian democrat with HEAVY states rights view point. Only senator to stay loyal to the union. Appointed military governor of TN by Lincoln. Chosen as the VP is 64’. He hated slave power but was sympathetic to the south. His actions caused him to be the first president to be impeached.
Johnson’s plan
offered amnesty upon simple oath to all accept confederate civil and military officers with property over $20,000. He pardoned 13,500 southerners. In the new constitution states had to ratify the 13th amendment (while many still didn’t). Supported the establishment of black codes.
Black codes
Purpose?-to attempt to continue slavery after the 13th amendment. Varied per state; labor contracts, could not rent or buy land, could not testify in court. Forced many blacks into sharecropping or to become tenant farmers.
Congressional Plan
congress bars the newly elected southern congressional candidates. Joint committee on reconstruction was created. Feburary 1866, president vetoed the freedman’s bureau bill and in 1866 he also vetoed the civil rights acts (which would become the 14th amendment). Congress as a part of their plan passed both bills and over ruled the president.
Radical Republicans
Republicans led by Thaddeus Stevens and Charles Sumner. Believed that the southern states DID secede from the union and has to be readmitted. Believed that the southern states needed to be punished for the civil was. Freed slave should be citizens and universal male suffrage
Military Reconstruction act
requiered new state consitutions to include black sufferage (15th amendment) and ratification of the 13th and 14th amendments. Restart reconstruction in the 10 southern states that refused to ratify the 14th amendment. Divide the 10 ‘reconstructed states into 5 military districts.
14th amendment
Ratified by the states on July 9th 1868. Defined citizenship (birthright citizenship). Due process (5th amendment) was protected by the states. Equal protection clause. Provides a constitutional guarantee of equal protection under state and federal law. Kentucky was the last to ratify the amendment in 1976.