Early American History: Key Terms and Events

Dorr War

• A political struggle in Rhode Island during the 1840s focused on electoral reforms and access to voting.

• Key Figures: Thomas Dorr, who advocated for expanding suffrage to all white males.

Minstrels

• A form of entertainment that stereotyped African American culture, often featuring white performers in blackface.

• Significant in reflecting and shaping societal views on race in America.

American System

• An economic plan proposed by Henry Clay aimed at strengthening the national economy through protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements.

• Key components include:

  • Tariffs to protect American industry.

  • Investment in infrastructure like roads and canals.

  • Rechartering the Second Bank of the United States.

Specie

• Refers to coin currency, particularly gold and silver, as opposed to paper money.

• Important during the economic upheaval in the 19th century, including the Panic of 1819.

Panic of 1819

• The first major economic crisis in the United States occurring post-War of 1812.

• Triggered by a collapse in the cotton market and rampant land speculation.

• Resulted in widespread foreclosures, bank failures, and unemployment.

Era of Good Feelings

• The period during James Monroe's presidency (1817-1825) characterized by nationalism and political unity following the War of 1812.

• Marked by the decline of the Federalist Party and the dominance of the Democratic-Republican Party.

Adams-Onis Treaty

• A treaty between the United States and Spain in 1819, where Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. in exchange for the U.S. relinquishing claims to Texas.

• Helped define U.S. boundaries and assert territorial expansion.

Missouri Compromise

• An agreement passed in 1820 admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state to maintain the balance in Congress.

• Established the 36°30' parallel as the dividing line for future states regarding slavery.

Monroe Doctrine

• A principle articulated by President Monroe in 1823 declaring opposition to European colonialism in the Americas.

• Stated that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas would be viewed as a hostile act against the U.S.

Corrupt Bargain

• Refers to the alleged deal made between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay during the 1824 presidential election.

• Adams named Clay Secretary of State after winning the presidency, leading to accusations of political favoritism.

Spoils System

• A practice initiated by Andrew Jackson allowing the president to appoint supporters to government positions as a reward for their loyalty.

• Raised concerns about the ethics and efficiency of government by placing political loyalty over qualifications.

Indian Removal Act

• A law signed in 1830 by President Andrew Jackson that authorized the forced removal of Native American tribes from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States.

• Led to the establishment of Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma.

Five Civilized Tribes

• Refers to five Native American nations: Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole, known for adopting some aspects of European American culture.

• Their forced removal epitomized the conflicts between American expansion and Native American rights.

Cherokee Nation v. Georgia

• A U.S. Supreme Court case in 1831 where the Cherokee Nation sought to prevent Georgia from enforcing state laws on their lands.

• The Court ruled that the Cherokee were a dependent nation and did not have standing to sue.

Worcester v. Georgia

• A landmark 1832 Supreme Court case ruling that Georgia's laws had no authority over Cherokee territories.

• Established the principle of federal versus state jurisdiction over Native American affairs.

Trail of Tears

• The forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation and other tribes in the 1830s, leading to significant suffering and death.

• Approximately 4,000 Cherokee died from disease, starvation, and exposure during the march.

Nullification

• The theory that states have the right to invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional within their boundaries.

• Most famously connected to the Nullification Crisis during Jackson's presidency regarding tariffs.

Bank War of 1832

• A political struggle between President Andrew Jackson and the Second Bank of the United States.

• Jackson viewed the Bank as a corrupt institution and campaigned for its destruction, leading to the Bank's charter expiry in 1836.

Pro-Slavery Argument

• Justifications made by proponents of slavery in the 19th century that included economic benefits, racial superiority, and Biblical endorsements.

• Utilized to defend the practice in both moral and legal contexts.

Slaveholding Statistics

• Data illustrating the demographics and economics of slavery in the U.S., emphasizing the scale of slave ownership and its economic impact.

• Essential for understanding societal structure and economic benefits derived from slave labor.

Paternalism

• The ideology that justified slavery as a benevolent institution, with slaveholders acting as guardians of enslaved people, purporting to provide care and guidance.

• Often ignored the harsh realities of slavery and the agency of enslaved individuals.

Gang Labor

• A system of labor where enslaved people worked in groups under the supervision of a driver. Commonly used in cotton and tobacco plantations.

• Allowed for increased productivity but often involved harsh conditions and strict discipline.

Task Labor

• A labor system where enslaved individuals were assigned specific tasks to complete within a day, after which they could have free time.

• Offered a degree of autonomy compared to gang labor.

Slave Spirituals

• Religious songs sung by enslaved African Americans that express their faith, resilience, and longing for freedom.

• Played a crucial role in maintaining cultural identity and fostering community among enslaved people.

Harriet Tubman

• An abolitionist and political activist who escaped slavery and helped others to freedom via the Underground Railroad.

• Known for her courage and strategic planning, she was called "Moses" for leading her people out of bondage.

Dred Scott Decision

• An 1857 Supreme Court case affirming that African Americans could not be American citizens and that Congress lacked authority to regulate slavery in the territories.

• Intensified national tensions over slavery.

Nat Turner's Rebellion

• A violent slave uprising in 1831 led by Nat Turner in Virginia, resulting in the deaths of about 60 white people.

• Following the rebellion, harsher laws against enslaved people were enacted and discussions around slave rebellion escalated.

Sabotage/Day to Day Resistance

• Enslaved people's subtle and everyday forms of resistance, such as work slowdowns, sabotage, and covert expressions of agency.

• Included acts of defiance that undermined the institution of slavery without overt rebellion.

Causes of Mexican War

• Key factors leading to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) include:

  • The U.S. annexation of Texas.

  • Disputes over Texas' southern border.

  • Manifest Destiny, the belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Horace Mann

• An advocate for public education reform in the early 19th century.

• Known for promoting common schools and creating a more equitable education system in the U.S.

Dorothea Dix

• A social reformer who advocated for the mentally ill and worked to improve conditions in prisons and asylums during the mid-19th century.

• Instrumental in establishing mental health reform across America.

American Colonization Society

• Founded in 1816, the society aimed to promote the migration of free African Americans to Africa, notably Liberia.

• A controversial response to the issue of slavery and civil rights.

William Lloyd Garrison

• An abolitionist and journalist known for founding "The Liberator," a prominent anti-slavery newspaper.

• Advocated for immediate emancipation and equal rights for African Americans.

The Liberator

• An influential abolitionist newspaper founded by William Lloyd Garrison, beginning publication in 1831.

• Instrumental in spreading anti-slavery sentiment and promoting civil rights for African Americans.

Declaration of Sentiments

• A document signed at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 outlining the rights women should be entitled to as citizens.

• Included demands for equal social, civil, and religious rights for women.

Stephen Austin

• Known as the "Father of Texas," he played a key role in the early settlement of Texas by bringing American settlers into the region.

• His efforts contributed to the eventual independence of Texas from Mexico.

Tejanos

• Texans of Mexican heritage, who played significant roles in early Texas history, including the fight for independence from Mexico.

• Experienced cultural tensions during and after the revolution.

Andersonville

• A Confederate prisoner-of-war camp during the Civil War known for its poor conditions and high mortality rate.

• Became a symbol of the horrors faced by Union soldiers.

The Alamo

• A pivotal battle during the Texas Revolution (1836) where Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces led by Santa Anna.

• Significantly inspired Texan independence and American views on heroism and sacrifice.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

• The Mexican general and political leader who led the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution.

• Known for his ruthless tactics and handling of the rebellion.

Battle of San Jacinto

• The decisive battle of the Texas Revolution (1836) in which Texas forces led by Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna’s army, leading to Texas independence.

• Texas captured Santa Anna, forcing him to recognize Texan independence.

Sam Houston

• A key political and military leader in Texas history, known for leading the Texan army to victory at San Jacinto and serving as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Mexican War

• A conflict between the United States and Mexico (1846-1848) resulting from territorial disputes following U.S. annexation of Texas.

• Ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, significantly expanding U.S. territory.

Whig Party

• A political party formed in the 1830s opposing President Jackson and the Democratic Party. Advocated for modernization and economic protectionism.

• Eventually dissolved over internal divisions related to slavery.

Spot Resolution

• A series of resolutions introduced by Congressman Abraham Lincoln in 1847 questioning President Polk's justification for the Mexican War.

• Sought to identify the exact location where American blood was said to have been shed on American soil.

Henry David Thoreau

• An American transcendentalist author and philosopher, known for his work "Civil Disobedience," promoting individual conscience.

• Advocated for resistance to unjust laws, influencing future civil rights movements.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

• Treaty that ended the Mexican-American War in 1848, resulting in Mexico ceding a large portion of its northern territory to the U.S.

• Included present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.

Manifest Destiny

• The 19th-century doctrine that the expansion of the U.S. throughout the American continents was both justified and inevitable.

• Became a driving force behind territorial expansion in the 1840s and 1850s.

Wilmot Proviso

• Proposed legislation aimed at banning slavery in territories acquired from Mexico during the Mexican-American War.

• Highlighted the growing sectional tensions over the issue of slavery.

Compromise of 1850

• A series of laws passed aimed at settling disputes over slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico. Key provisions included:

  • California admitted as a free state.

  • Strengthening of the Fugitive Slave Law.

  • Popular sovereignty to decide slavery in New Mexico and Utah.

Kansas-Nebraska Act

• An 1854 law that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing for popular sovereignty to determine slavery's legality in these territories.

• Resulted in violent conflict known as Bleeding Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers.

Runaway Slaves

• Enslaved individuals who escaped from bondage, often risking their lives for freedom.

• Their stories and networks contributed to the abolitionist movement and highlighted the moral crisis of slavery.

Popular Sovereignty

• The principle that the settlers of a territory have the right to decide whether to allow slavery within their borders.

• A key concept during the debates over the extension of slavery into new territories.

Phases of the Civil War

• Refers to the major stages throughout the Civil War, including initial conflict, stalemate, shifts in strategies, and eventual Union victory.

• Notable phases include:

  • Early Battles: Bull Run, Antietam

  • Mid-War: Gettysburg, Vicksburg

  • Late War: Sherman's March, surrender at Appomattox.

John Brown's Raid

• An 1859 attempt by abolitionist John Brown to initiate an armed slave revolt by capturing the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

• His actions polarized the nation and intensified the debate over slavery.

Fugitive Slave Law and Irony

• A law passed as part of the Compromise of 1850 that mandated the return of runaway slaves to their owners.

• The irony lies in that it fueled abolitionist sentiment in the North, leading to more active resistance against slavery.

Jefferson Davis

• President of the Confederate States during the Civil War, overseeing its military strategy and diplomatic efforts.

• Sought international recognition for the Confederacy but faced challenges due to blockading efforts by the Union.

First Battle of Bull Run

• The first major battle of the Civil War, fought on July 21, 1861, resulting in a Confederate victory.

• Demonstrated the war would be longer and bloodier than initially expected.

Lyman Beecher

• A 19th-century preacher and social reformer advocating for abolition and temperance.

• Key figure in the Second Great Awakening and influenced educational and moral reforms.

Antietam

• The Battle of Antietam (September 17, 1862) marked the bloodiest single-day battle in American history.

• Seen as a strategic victory for the Union, leading to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Emancipation Proclamation

• An executive order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, freeing all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory.

• Shifted the Union's war aims toward abolition of slavery alongside preservation of the Union.

Impact of the EP

• The Emancipation Proclamation allowed African Americans to enlist in the Union Army, fundamentally altering the social and political landscape of the war.

• Sparked debates over the implications for the status of freed slaves post-war.

Clara Barton

• Founder of the American Red Cross, nurse during the Civil War, and a notable humanitarian.

• Advocated for better healthcare and recognized the importance of organization in disaster response.

Vicksburg

• A pivotal battle in 1863 that granted control of the Mississippi River to the Union, splitting the Confederacy in half.

• The siege lasted for several months, leading to severe deprivation in Vicksburg.

Gettysburg

• A turning point battle in July 1863, seen as the climax of the Civil War; led to significant Confederate losses.

• The Union victory bolstered Northern morale and was followed by Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Copperheads

• A faction of Northern Democrats who opposed the Civil War and advocated for peace with the Confederacy.

• Criticized Lincoln's wartime policies and were seen as traitors by some.

Sherman's March to the Sea

• General William Tecumseh Sherman's military campaign through Georgia aimed at destroying Confederate supplies and morale.

• Represented total war tactics and aimed to hasten the end of the conflict.

Thirteenth Amendment

• Ratified in 1865, it abolished slavery throughout the United States.

• Created a legal foundation for future civil rights improvements.

Robert E. Lee

• General of the Confederate Army, known for his tactical prowess but ultimately surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant in 1865.

• Symbolized the Southern cause and faced significant moral and strategic dilemmas during the war.

Lincoln's Assassination

• Occurred on April 14, 1865, when President Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre.

• Marked a tragic turning point in American history, impacting post-war reconstruction efforts.

Charles Leale

• The Army surgeon who attended to Lincoln after he was shot, noted for his efforts in trying to save his life.

• Later testified during the investigations into Lincoln's assassination.

Fourteenth Amendment

• Ratified in 1868, it granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and prohibited states from denying any person equal protection under the law.

• Integral to the legal foundation for civil rights.

Fifteenth Amendment

• Ratified in 1870, it prohibited federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on color, race, or previous condition of servitude.

• A significant achievement for racial equality in voting rights.

1863 NYC Draft Riots

• A series of violent disturbances in New York City in response to the Civil War draft.

• Demonstrated deep-seated class and racial tensions, as predominantly Irish mobs rioted against being compelled to fight a war perceived as benefiting African Americans.

Ft. Pillow Massacre

• An event during the Civil War where Confederate troops killed a large number of African American Union soldiers who surrendered at Fort Pillow in 1864.

• Highlighted the brutal treatment of black soldiers and the issue of war crimes.

Mason-Dixon Line

• The boundary line drawn between Pennsylvania and Maryland that came to symbolize the division between free and slave states before the Civil War.

• Often referenced in discussions about the sectional conflict and slavery in the U.S.

Fire Eaters

• A term used to describe extreme pro-slavery advocates in the South during the mid-19th century.

• Supported the secession of southern states as a response to perceived threats against slavery.

Shakers

• A religious sect known for their communal lifestyle and celibacy, who believed they were establishing the Kingdom of God on earth.

• Contributed to American society through crafts and agricultural innovations.

Joseph Smith

• The founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in the early 19th century.

• His teachings and leadership promoted the establishment of a unique religious community in America.

Mormons

• Members of the church founded by Joseph Smith, known for their strong sense of community and commitment to their faith, especially during their migration to Utah.

• Engaged in agriculture and developed a prosperous society despite facing persecution.

Oneida Community

• An intentional community founded by John Humphrey Noyes in the 1840s, advocating for communal living, free love, and non-traditional family structures.

• Represented a radical experiment in social organization during the period.

Secession (1 and 2)

• The act of withdrawing from the Union; notably, Southern states seceded in two waves:

  • First wave post-Lincoln's election in 1860 (notably South Carolina).

  • Second wave following the beginning of the Civil War, leading to the formation of the Confederacy.

Crittenden Compromise

• A failed proposal by Senator John Crittenden in 1860 aimed at preventing the Civil War through constitutional amendments to protect slavery in the South.

• Highlighted the deep divisions and inability to find political compromise.

Anaconda Plan

• The Union's strategic plan during the Civil War aimed at suffocating the Southern economy through blockades and controlled territory, focusing on capturing key points like New Orleans and Vicksburg.

Carpetbagger/Scalawag/Redeemer

• Terms used during Reconstruction:

  • Carpetbagger: Northern transplants to the South seeking economic or political opportunities post-Civil War.

  • Scalawag: Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and aligned with the Republican Party.

  • Redeemer: Southern Democrats aiming to reclaim power and reverse Reconstruction advancements, often through violence and intimidation.