Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

• Ended the Mexican-American War in 1848

• Resulted in significant territorial gains for the United States, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Colorado and New Mexico.

• Importance: This treaty expanded the U.S. territory substantially, facilitating westward expansion and contributing to the ideology of Manifest Destiny, but also intensified sectional tensions over the issue of slavery in these new territories.

Popular Sovereignty

• Political doctrine that the legitimacy of the state is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

• Key issue during the debates over whether new territories should permit slavery, particularly in the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

• Importance: It attempted to provide a democratic solution to the contentious issue of slavery, yet it often led to violent conflict, showcasing the failure of political processes to address societal divisions over slavery.

Wilmot Proviso

• Proposed in 1846 by David Wilmot, aimed to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

• Reflects the growing sectional tensions and opposition to the expansion of slavery into the West.

• Importance: Although it was never passed, the Wilmot Proviso highlighted the intense conflict over slavery, marking a pivotal moment in the rising sectionalism that would lead to the Civil War.

Zachary Taylor

• 12th President of the United States (1849-1850).

• A Mexican War hero, he advocated for the admission of California as a free state, which intensified the debate over slavery.

• Importance: Taylor’s presidency illustrated the impact of military heroes transitioning into politics, and his firm stance against the expansion of slavery set a precedent for future political discourse.

Free Soil Party

• A political party active in the pre-Civil War period that opposed the extension of slavery into the western territories.

• Its slogan was "Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor, and Free Men."

• Importance: The Free Soil Party played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape by combining various anti-slavery factions, thus laying the groundwork for the formation of the Republican Party.

Martin Van Buren

• 8th President of the United States and a key figure in the formation of the Free Soil Party.

• Importance: His involvement signified a shift in American politics where former leaders aligned with anti-slavery sentiments, emphasizing the growing urgency around the issue of slavery.

Lewis Cass

• A prominent Michigan politician who supported popular sovereignty as a solution to the slavery issue.

• Importance: Cass’s advocacy for popular sovereignty underscored the complexities of American democracy in this era, attempting to address slavery without providing a clear resolution, leading to greater conflict.

Harriet Tubman

• An escaped slave and prominent abolitionist known for her role as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, leading countless slaves to freedom.

• Importance: Tubman's heroic efforts showcased grassroots resistance to slavery and inspired the abolitionist movement, demonstrating the critical role of individual agency in the fight against slavery.

Fugitive Slave Law

• Part of the Compromise of 1850, it mandated that escaped slaves be returned to their owners, which angered many in the North and played a role in the rise of abolitionist sentiment.

• Importance: This law intensified Northern opposition to slavery by forcing ordinary citizens to confront the realities of the system, galvanizing activism against it.

Compromise of 1850

• A set of laws aiming to resolve the territorial and slavery controversies arising from the Mexican-American War. Included:

  • California admitted as a free state

  • Slave trade abolished in Washington D.C.

  • Stricter Fugitive Slave Law

  • New Mexico and Utah territories organized with popular sovereignty.

• Importance: While it temporarily alleviated tensions, the Compromise ultimately failed to provide a lasting solution to slavery, foreshadowing the violent conflicts that followed.

Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster

• Key political figures involved in crafting and promoting the Compromise of 1850, representing different sectional interests in Congress.

• Importance: Their varied perspectives highlighted the deep sectional divides in America, illustrating the challenges of achieving consensus in a fractured political landscape.

William Seward

• Strong opponent of the expansion of slavery; known for his "higher law" speech and later became Secretary of State.

• Importance: Seward's philosophy and public advocacy set the moral framework for the Republican Party's anti-slavery stance, influencing future policy decisions.

Millard Fillmore

• 13th President of the United States who supported the Compromise of 1850, thus helping to temporarily ease sectional tensions.

• Importance: Fillmore's presidency demonstrates the struggles of leaders attempting to maintain unity in a divided nation, but ultimately suggests the limits of compromise in preventing conflict.

Franklin Pierce

• 14th President of the United States, his administration passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, leading to increased conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions.

• Importance: Pierce’s support for this act is seen as largely responsible for revitalizing the divisive debates over slavery, inciting "Bleeding Kansas" and showcasing the failures of popular sovereignty.

Winfield Scott

• U.S. Army general and presidential candidate; played a key role in the Mexican-American War.

• Importance: Scott's military leadership during the war contributed to shaping the U.S. territorial landscape and highlighted the role of military leaders in national politics.

John Hale

• An anti-slavery advocate who was a prominent figure during the election of 1852 and represented New Hampshire.

• Importance: Hale’s campaign further illustrated the growing momentum of anti-slavery sentiment and the fragmentation of traditional political parties over the slavery issue.

Clayton Bulwer Treaty

• An 1850 agreement between the U.S. and Britain to develop a canal in Central America, asserting that neither would gain exclusive control over the canal.

• Importance: This treaty reflects early U.S. imperial ambitions while also highlighting the importance of international diplomacy in the context of expanding trade interests.

Filibustering

• The practice of engaging in unauthorized military expeditions in foreign countries, often for the purpose of promoting slaveholding or other interests, particularly in Latin America.

• Importance: Filibustering exemplified the lengths to which pro-slavery factions were willing to go to expand their influence, complicating U.S. relations abroad and raising ethical questions about military intervention.

Ostend Manifesto

• A document that outlined the rationale for the United States to annex Cuba; it advocated for the expansion of slavery and incited outrage in the North.

• Importance: The manifesto underscored the desperation of pro-slavery advocates to expand slavery's reach, further alienating Northern opinion and deepening the sectional crisis.

Matthew Perry and Treaty of Kanagawa

• U.S. naval officer who opened Japan to the West in 1853 through diplomatic negotiations, which marked the end of Japan's isolationist policy.

• Importance: Perry's mission not only transformed U.S.-Japan relations but also represented the broader theme of American expansionism during this period, influencing global trade dynamics.

Gadsden Purchase

• 1853 agreement in which the U.S. acquired land from Mexico, facilitating a southern route for a transcontinental railroad.

• Importance: The purchase further exemplified the U.S. commitment to westward expansion and the increasing focus on transportation infrastructure, posing additional challenges regarding the expansion of slavery into these acquired lands.

Kansas-Nebraska Bill

• A 1854 act that created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, allowing for popular sovereignty to decide on the issue of slavery, leading to violent confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas."

• Importance: This act directly led to violent clashes and revealed the failures of the government to mediate disputes over slavery, setting the stage for the violent civil conflicts that characterized this era.

Bleeding Kansas

• A series of violent political confrontations between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in Kansas in the mid-1850s, highlighting the deep divisions over slavery in America.

• Importance: The violence illustrated the escalating tensions and paved the way for the Civil War, making Kansas a battleground for ideologies and demonstrating the dire consequences of ineffective governance.

Stephen Douglas

• Key proponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Act; believed in popular sovereignty but faced significant opposition from abolitionists.

• Importance: Douglas' insistence on popular sovereignty further entrenched sectional divisions, making it clear that compromise would be increasingly elusive in the face of competing moral convictions.

Know-Nothings

• A nativist political movement that sought to restrict immigration and promote American interests, often opposing Catholic immigrants.

• Importance: The rise of the Know-Nothings illustrates the broader trends of nativism in U.S. politics, demonstrating the intersection of immigration issues with the nation’s internal struggles over identity and values.

Republican Party

• Formed in the 1850s as a response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, it opposed the extension of slavery into the territories.

• Importance: The Republican Party emerged as a significant political force, proving instrumental in shaping anti-slavery policies and reflecting the shifting political landscape in America.

Harriet Beecher Stowe

• Author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a novel that depicted the harsh realities of slavery and galvanized public opinion against it.

• Importance: Stowe’s work was a cultural phenomenon that helped humanize the plight of enslaved people and significantly influenced public perception of slavery, bolstering the abolitionist movement.

Topeka versus Shawnee Mission

• Refers to the opposing factions in Kansas during "Bleeding Kansas," where pro-slavery forces clashed with anti-slavery settlers.

• Importance: These conflicts epitomize the violent struggle for control over slavery's future in the territories, mirroring the broader national conflict that would lead to the Civil War.

Hinton Rowan Helper

• Southern critic of slavery; authored "Impending Crisis of the South," which argued that slavery was an impediment to the South's economy.

• Importance: Helper’s criticisms provided an economic argument against slavery from within the South, adding another layer to the complex debate over slavery’s future in America.

Border Ruffians

• Pro-slavery activists from Missouri who crossed into Kansas to influence the vote on the legality of slavery, committing acts of violence and intimidation.

• Importance: Their actions exemplified the lengths to which pro-slavery advocates would go to ensure their agenda, contributing to the breakdown of civil order and fostering resentment that would fuel conflict.

Pottawatomie Creek

• Site of a violent incident led by John Brown against pro-slavery settlers, exemplifying the violent conflict over slavery in Kansas.

• Importance: This event underscored the extremism on both sides of the slavery debate and marked John Brown as a notable figure in the abolitionist struggle, foreshadowing future violent confrontations.

LeCompton Constitution

• Pro-slavery constitution drafted for Kansas territory; highly controversial and rejected by Congress, highlighting sectional tensions.

• Importance: The constitution’s rejection illustrated the intense battle over Kansas’ status, symbolizing the challenges of balancing competing interests and the failure of legislative solutions to resolve the issue of slavery.

James Buchanan

• 15th President of the United States, his presidency was marked by increasing tensions over slavery and attempts to maintain peace between North and South.

• Importance: Buchanan’s inability to effectively address the mounting crisis foreshadowed the imminent sectional conflict, emphasizing the limitations of his presidency in the face of robust ideological divides.

Sumner-Brooks Encounter

• A violent clash on the Senate floor in 1856, highlighting the intensity of the conflict over slavery; Senator Charles Sumner was beaten by Congressman Preston Brooks.

• Importance: This incident exemplified the physical embodiment of sectional conflict, revealing the extent to which political disagreements over slavery polarized the nation.

John Fremont

• First Republican presidential candidate in 1856; known for his exploration in the West and anti-slavery stance.

• Importance: Fremont’s candidacy represented a significant moment in American politics, as it indicated the emergence of a cohesive anti-slavery coalition opposing the expansion of slavery.

Roger B. Taney

• Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who delivered the infamous Dred Scott decision, ruling that African Americans could not be citizens and that Congress had no authority to regulate slavery in the territories.

• Importance: The Dred Scott decision inflamed public sentiment against the courts, reinforced the sectional divide, and effectively nullified the hopes of political compromise regarding slavery.

Panic of 1857

• A financial crisis that resulted in widespread economic distress; its impact was felt more strongly in the North, adding to sectional tensions.

• Importance: The economic turmoil exacerbated existing divides and illustrated how economic factors intertwined with the slavery debate, further complicating national unity.

Homestead Act

• Legislation passed in 1862 that provided 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee, promoting westward expansion.

• Importance: This act encouraged settlement of the West, shaping American demographics and economic structures but also intensified debates over slavery's expansion into new territories.

Public Domain

• Lands owned by the government that may be available for settlement, key for accessing resources and land for new states.

• Importance: The management and allocation of public domain highlighted the strategic importance of land in shaping policy and the attendant struggles over its use concerning slavery.

Tariff of 1857

• A reduction of tariffs aimed to ease economic pressure, but it also led to greater economic problems in the North.

• Importance: The tariff's implications during pre-Civil War America exemplified the tensions between economic interests and sectional differences, contributing to regional animosities.

Freeport Doctrine

• Proposed by Stephen Douglas during the Lincoln-Douglas debates, stating that territories could effectively exclude slavery despite the Dred Scott decision.

• Importance: This doctrine attempted to navigate the complexities of slavery within the bounds of popular sovereignty, but ultimately revealed the limitations and challenges of resolving the issue democratically.

Harper's Ferry

• Site of John Brown’s raid in 1859, an attempt to start an armed slave revolt; it resulted in his capture and was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the Civil War.

• Importance: Brown's raid exemplified radical abolitionist sentiment and escalated fears of slave insurrections, further polarizing Northern and Southern attitudes regarding slavery.

Election of 1860

• Marked by four major candidates: Abraham Lincoln (Republican), Stephen Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union). The election caused deep divisions, leading to the secession of Southern states after Lincoln's victory.

• Importance: This election underscored the fractures in American politics and set the stage for the Civil War by crystallizing the divide over slavery.

Crittenden Compromise

• A last-ditch effort to prevent the secession of Southern states; proposed constitutional amendments to extend the Missouri Compromise line but ultimately failed.

• Importance: The failure of this compromise signaled the irrevocable divisions within the country, marking the diminishing prospects for peaceful resolution to the slavery issue.

Secession of States

• Following Lincoln's election, many Southern states seceded from the Union, forming the Confederate States of America, igniting the Civil War.

• Importance: This act of secession was a direct challenge to the Union and embodied the culmination of sectional disagreements, heralding the outbreak of the Civil War.

Fort Sumter

• The first battle of the Civil War, fought in April 1861; it marked the official start of hostilities between the North and South.

• Importance: Fort Sumter symbolizes the irreversible split between North and South and marked the beginning of an era of unprecedented conflict in American history.

Border States

• Slave states that remained in the Union during the Civil War: Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware; their loyalty was crucial to the Union’s strategy.

• Importance: The loyalty of these states was critical for both sides, as their resources, geography, and populations shaped military strategies and influenced public sentiments.

Advantages and Disadvantages: North vs South

• The North had more industrial capabilities, a larger population, and a better railroad system, while the South had strong military leadership and motivation fighting for their way of life.

• Importance: The differing advantages outlined the fundamental disparities between the warring factions, highlighting the central role of industrialization in the North’s eventual victory.

Trent Affair

• A diplomatic incident during the Civil War involving the interception of a British mail ship by the Union Navy, leading to tensions with Britain.

• Importance: The Trent Affair illuminated the fragile nature of international relations amid the Civil War and underscored the importance of diplomacy in maintaining support or neutrality from foreign powers.

The Alabama

• A Confederate warship that captured numerous Union merchant vessels, complicating international relations during the war.

• Importance: The Alabama illustrated the complexities of international law and warfare, revealing how foreign involvement influenced domestic conflicts.

Maximilian Affair

• A controversial attempt by French Emperor Napoleon III to establish a monarchy in Mexico, involving the installation of Archduke Maximilian as emperor.

• Importance: This affair showcased the conflicts of imperialism and intervention during the Civil War, complicating the U.S. position in international politics.

William Seward

• A leading advocate for the Union during the Civil War; served as Secretary of State and worked to prevent foreign intervention on behalf of the Confederacy.

• Importance: Seward’s strategic diplomacy was vital for maintaining international relations and preventing foreign support for the Confederacy, thus influencing the war's outcome.

Jefferson Davis

• President of the Confederate States of America; led the South during the Civil War and faced numerous challenges in governance and military strategy.

• Importance: Davis’ leadership decisions and governance reflected the complexities of managing a wartime government and the struggles of a nascent nation facing a determined adversary.

Draft Quota

• Refers to the system of conscription established during the Civil War to enlist soldiers; it was met with resistance, particularly in the North.

• Importance: The draft highlighted the political tensions and public discontent surrounding the war effort, indicating the fractures within Northern society itself.

NYC Draft Riots

• Violent disturbances in New York City in 1863 in response to the draft, highlighting class and racial tensions.

• Importance: These riots underscore the deep divisions and anger within the North concerning the draft, revealing the intersections of class, race, and war.

Morrill Tariff Act

• Increased tariff rates in 1861 to protect Northern industries and generate revenue for the Civil War effort.

• Importance: This act reflected the economic strategies employed by the North to sustain its war efforts and demonstrated the interrelation of economics and governance during the war.

National Banking System

• Established in 1863 to create a uniform currency and stabilize the financial system during the war.

• Importance: This system was pivotal for ensuring financial stability and promoting the nation's economic growth, crucial for the Union's war efforts.

Greenbacks

• Paper currency issued by the U.S. Treasury during the Civil War to help finance the conflict; faced issues of inflation.

• Importance: Greenbacks exemplified the economic complexities faced during wartime and raised critical questions concerning monetary policy and its implications for society.

Bonds

• Used to finance the war, citizens were encouraged to purchase government bonds as a patriotic duty to support the Union effort.

• Importance: The bond system was a significant mechanism for war financing, reflecting the intertwining of national identity and financial participation in the Union's cause.

Inflation

• A significant economic issue during the Civil War as the printing of greenbacks and bonds resulted in rising prices.

• Importance: The inflationary pressures served to create economic hardships for many, complicating the war efforts and impacting public morale.

Homestead Act of 1862

• Legislation promoting westward expansion by granting land to settlers, instrumental in shaping American frontier policies.

• Importance: This act played a substantial role in shaping the American landscape post-Civil War while also intensifying the debate over slavery's expansion into these new territories.

49ers

• Gold seekers who flocked to California during the Gold Rush in 1849, significantly impacting westward migration and economic development.

• Importance: The Gold Rush exemplified the rush for resources that characterized this era, influencing the demographic shifts and economic realities of the American West.

Elizabeth Blackwell

• First woman to receive a medical degree in the United States; known for her contributions to nursing during the Civil War.

• Importance: Blackwell's achievements in the medical field highlighted the expanding roles of women during the Civil War, signaling shifts in societal norms and increasing opportunities for women.

Clara Barton

• Founder of the American Red Cross, instrumental in providing nursing care during the Civil War.

• Importance: Barton’s humanitarian efforts during the war laid the groundwork for modern nursing and exemplified the critical role of women in wartime, reshaping public perceptions of gender roles.

Sally Tompkins

• Notable Civil War nurse who operated a hospital for Confederate soldiers, recognized for her contributions to wartime medicine.

• Importance: Tompkins' efforts demonstrated the indispensable role women played in providing care during the Civil War, challenging traditional gender norms and expectations.

First Manassas/Bull Run

• The first major battle of the Civil War, fought in July 1861; it demonstrated the need for better preparation on both sides and provided a shock to Northern expectations of a quick victory.

• Importance: This battle illustrated the gruesome realities of war and served as a wake-up call to the North, reshaping perceptions and strategies moving forward.

George McClellan

• Union general noted for his organization of the Army of the Potomac, but criticized for his cautiousness in engaging Confederate forces.

• Importance: McClellan’s leadership style and strategies significantly influenced early Union efforts, reflecting broader themes of command and responsibility in wartime.

Robert E. Lee

• Commander of the Confederate Army, highly regarded for his military leadership and strategy despite ultimately losing the war.

• Importance: Lee’s tactics and leadership galvanized Confederate forces and left lasting legacies that influenced military strategies in subsequent conflicts.

Monitor vs. Merrimack

• The first meeting in combat of ironclad warships during the Civil War; marked a pivotal moment in naval warfare.

• Importance: This battle signified a technological shift in naval warfare, influencing future military strategies and the evolution of naval capabilities globally.

Shiloh/Pittsburgh Landing

• A significant early battle in April 1862 that resulted in heavy casualties and demonstrated the brutal nature of the conflict.

• Importance: Shiloh revealed the deadly seriousness of the conflict and foreshadowed the immense human cost that would be associated with the Civil War.

Sharpsburg Antietam

• The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, fought in September 1862; led to a strategic Union victory and provided President Lincoln the momentum to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

• Importance: Antietam marked a turning point in the Civil War, confirming the North's resolve and dramatically altering the moral and political landscape of the conflict.

Emancipation Proclamation

• Issued by Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory, reshaping the purpose of the war.

• Importance: This proclamation redefined the Civil War as a struggle for freedom, galvanizing abolitionist sentiment and changing the war's international perception.

Gettysburg/Gettysburg Address

• A pivotal battle in July 1863, often considered the turning point of the Civil War; Lincoln’s address redefined the war’s purpose, emphasizing equality and national unity.

• Importance: The Gettysburg Address remains a cornerstone of American values, reinforcing the principles of democracy and human rights while highlighting the sacrifices made during the war.

Vicksburg

• The siege during May-July 1863 that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River, a significant turning point in the war.

• Importance: Vicksburg marked the Union's strategic advantage in controlling supply routes and fundamentally altered the course of the war in favor of the North.

Grant, Lee, Jackson, Sherman, Sheridan

• Key military figures of the Civil War; Ulysses S. Grant led the Union army to victory, while Confederate generals like Lee and Jackson were noted for their tactical brilliance.

• Importance: The strategies and leadership of these figures shaped the conflict’s trajectory and are studied for their military significance and impact on modern warfare.

1864 Election

• Reflected the ongoing divisions over the war; Abraham Lincoln’s reelection signaled a commitment to continuing the fight against the Confederacy.

• Importance: Lincoln’s victory confirmed the Union’s resolve to continue the war effort, indicating a broader public support for the war policies and their implications.

Copperheads

• Northern Democrats who opposed the war and advocated for peace with the Confederacy, sometimes accused of disloyalty.

• Importance: The Copperheads highlighted the internal divisions and dissent within the North, reflecting the struggles over public opinion amidst wartime pressures.

Andrew Johnson

• Succeeded Lincoln as President; his lenient approach to Reconstruction created tensions with Congress and led to his impeachment.

• Importance: Johnson's presidency underscores the difficulties in post-war governance and the contentious debates over the direction of Reconstruction, marking a significant moment in American political history.

March to the Sea

• A military campaign led by Sherman, involving destructive tactics aimed at crippling the Southern economy and morale.

• Importance: This campaign exemplified total war strategies and had lasting effects on the South’s recovery and attitudes towards both the war and Reconstruction.

Clara Barton, Elizabeth Blackwell, Dorothea Dix

• Notable women who made significant contributions during the war through nursing and advocacy for soldiers' care.

• Importance: Their roles during the Civil War laid the groundwork for the professionalization of nursing and exemplified women's expanded roles in public life during and after the conflict.

Appomattox

• The site of Robert E. Lee's surrender to Ulysses S. Grant in April 1865, marking the effective end of the Civil War.

• Importance: Lee’s surrender signaled the collapse of the Confederacy, paving the way for Reconstruction and the long-term implications for American society.

John Wilkes Booth

• Assassin of President Lincoln; his actions and motivations reflected the intense divisions in the country following the war's conclusion.

• Importance: Booth's assassination of Lincoln underscored the unresolved tensions and deep divisions within the nation, impacting the trajectory of Reconstruction and political leadership.

Lenient Reconstruction

• A perspective that aimed for rapid restoration of the Southern states to the Union with minimal penalties for those who had seceded.

• Importance: This approach underscored the struggles between reconciliation and accountability during the post-war period and shaped the future course of civil rights issues.

Radical Reconstruction

• A more punitive approach to Reconstruction with stricter requirements for rejoining the Union, aimed at guaranteeing rights for freed slaves.

• Importance: This phase sought to ensure civil rights for freedmen and marked a significant intervention by the federal government, representative of the ongoing struggles for equality.

AME Churches & Mutual Aid Societies

• African Methodist Episcopal churches that played crucial roles in supporting freed slaves during Reconstruction.

• Importance: These organizations were instrumental in fostering community and support for newly freed individuals, highlighting the roles of faith and mutual aid in overcoming systemic injustices.

Freedmen's Bureau

• Established to aid freed slaves during the transition from slavery to freedom; provided education, healthcare, and employment assistance.

• Importance: The Bureau’s initiatives represented the federal government’s commitment to addressing the immediate needs of the formerly enslaved, although its achievements were often limited by resistance.

Black Codes

• Laws passed in Southern states that restricted the rights of freed African Americans, reinstating oppressive elements of pre-Civil War society.

• Importance: These codes highlighted the persistent struggles for civil rights and equity, demonstrating the resistance to the fundamental changes wrought by emancipation.

Carpetbaggers, Freedmen, Scalawags

• Terms used to describe Northern opportunists moving to the South during Reconstruction, local whites who cooperated with them, and freed slaves seeking rights and opportunities.

• Importance: These groups exemplified the complexities of post-war identity and politics, reflecting both the opportunities and challenges faced in efforts to reshape Southern society.

Impeachment

• Refers to the 1868 impeachment of Andrew Johnson by the House of Representatives, showcasing the political struggles during Reconstruction.

• Importance: The impeachment highlighted the conflicts between the presidency and Congress over the direction of Reconstruction, displaying the factional divisions that characterized this tumultuous period.

Alaska

• Acquired by the United States from Russia in 1867; symbolizing the national expansion policy and strategic considerations following the Civil War.

• Importance: The acquisition reflects America’s imperial ambitions and resources-driven expansion, indicating shifts in foreign relations post-Civil War.