AP United States History Study Notes: Unit 5 (1844-1877)
UNIT 5-Period 5: 1844-1877
Topic 5.1 Contextualizing Period 5
Learning Objective: Explain the context for sectional conflict emergence from 1844 to 1877.
Context Overview: Between 1844 and 1877, the U.S. expanded its territory to the Pacific Ocean, witnessing rising sectionalism due to the issue of slavery expansion. This led to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, which resulted in an increase in federal government power following the war's end and the liberation of roughly four million slaves.
Political and Economic Developments: Early to mid-19th century saw significant growth in land, population, political participation, technological advancements, and cultural expressions. However, advancements were not uniform across society, with ongoing challenges in foreign policy and slavery.
Growth in Land and Population
Manifest Destiny: The belief that the U.S. was destined to expand westward to the Pacific.
Expansion motivations included nationalism, economic development, population growth, and technological innovation.
Some viewed expansion as a foremost way to spread slavery.
Westward Movement: American settlers moved into territories like Texas and Oregon, leading to conflicts over land use and governance:
Texas: Mexico's attempts to maintain authority led to friction, notably over slavery laws and cultural assimilation (e.g., Catholicism). The tension escalated into rebellion and led to Texas independence in 1836.
Oregon: Claims from multiple nations ultimately led to the U.S. negotiating division with Britain.
Political Conflicts Over Slavery Expansion
Abolitionism and Resistance: Opponents of slavery intensified their efforts, creating underground networks to assist escaped slaves and advocating for Free-Soil principles – that free soil should not include slavery.
Legislative attempts at compromise (e.g., the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act) highlighted deepening divisions.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Lincoln's Election and Secession: Lincoln’s election in 1860 motivated Southern states to secede, fearing federal policies would threaten slavery.
Following the ensuing Civil War, issues debated included federal vs. state power and racial freedoms. Reconstruction became vital in addressing these.
Racism and New Labor Systems: Freed African Americans faced systemic racism through laws like the Black Codes, and systems like sharecropping reestablished economic subservience.
Topic 5.2 The Idea of Manifest Destiny
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of westward expansion from 1844 to 1877.
Manifest Destiny: A significant movement emphasizing America's perceived divine mission to expand its territory.
Spurred by writers like John O'Sullivan and geopolitical interests, expansion went from North America to other regions in the 1890s.
Conflicts Over Texas, Maine, and Oregon
Texas:
History of settlement by Anglo settlers amid conflicts over slavery laws.
Revolt culminated in Texas declaring independence in 1836.
Mexico’s reluctance to recognize independence hindered U.S. annexation efforts until 1845.
Maine Boundary Dispute: The Aroostook War resolved through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842), leading to U.S. territorial gains.
Oregon Dispute: Originally claimed by multiple countries, the Oregon territory’s American claim was reinforced through exploration and settlement, ultimately negotiated with Britain in 1846.
The Election of 1844
Democratic Nomination Process: Initially split between proslavery and anti-slavery factions, culminating in James K. Polk's nomination and subsequent victory, leading to Texas annexation and the expansionist agenda.
Settlement of Western Territories and Economic Effects
Growth was heavily influenced by Gold Rush migrations and railroad expansion, emphasizing the importance of railroads and communication technologies for economic connectivity.
Topic 5.3 Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War
Learning Objective: Explain the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War.
Conflict Initiation: Tensions sparked by Texas annexation and the expansionist policies of President Polk.
Immediate Causes of War
Diplomatic failures led to military confrontation, with Polk asserting U.S. claims on Texas and its borders.
Military Campaigns and Outcomes
Major battles (e.g., Buena Vista, capture of Mexico City) initiated under military figures like Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty ceded vast territories to the U.S.
Consequences and Legislative Reactions
The Wilmot Proviso symbolized rising sectional tensions regarding slavery expansion into newly acquired territories, creating significant divides.
Topic 5.4 The Compromise of 1850
Learning Objective: Explain regional attitudes affecting federal policy post-Mexican-American War.
Background: Expansionist efforts re-ignited intensity in the slavery debate, manifesting in attempts to reach compromises, especially concerning territories acquired from Mexico.
Jackson’s Era of Division
Southern interests pushed for the expansion of slavery, while Northern opposition solidified through various movements leading to the Free-Soil Party.
Compromise Approach: The Compromise of 1850 initiated a complex interaction of legislative efforts to maintain Union integrity featuring radical changes representing conflicting regional interests.
Topic 5.5 Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences
Learning Objectives: Discuss the effects of immigration on American culture and slavery tensions leading up to the Civil War.
Changing Demographic Landscape: A significant influx of immigrants from Ireland and Germany led to cultural conflicts rooted in prejudice and economic competition.
Ethnic Tensions and Societal Changes
Nativism arose in response to growing immigrant populations, establishing secret societies and political parties to limit their influence.
Topic 5.6 Failure of Compromise
Learning Objective: Analyze political causes of the Civil War.
National Parties in Crisis: Distinct sectional differences became overwhelming, contributing to political instability as demonstrated in the elections of 1852 and 1856.
Intensified Political Climate: The Kansas-Nebraska Act resulted in violent responses and established extreme nationalism among both factions, leading toward war.
Topic 5.7 Election of 1860 and Secession
Learning Objective: Understand the impact of Lincoln's election on southern states leading to the Civil War.
Deep South Reaction to Lincoln: Fear among Southerners regarding Lincoln’s ideological opposition to the spread of slavery led to multiple secession movements.
John Brown & Radical Responses
The raid on Harpers Ferry served to validate concerns about violent abolitionism within the South, increasing hostility.
Topic 5.8 Military Conflict in the Civil War
Learning Objective: Explain factors contributing to Union victory in the Civil War.
Comparative Strengths: Union advantages included industrial capacity, population, and infrastructure, while the Confederate advantage laid in homeland defense.
Key Military Campaigns
Notable battles like Gettysburg and Vicksburg marked critical turning points in favor of the Union efforts.
Topic 5.9 Government Policies During the Civil War
Learning Objective: Analyze Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War.
Civil Liberties vs. National Security: Measures taken by Lincoln reflected complex tensions between preserving Union integrity and protecting citizen rights.
Topic 5.10 Reconstruction
Learning Objective: Assess consequences of government policy during Reconstruction (1865-1877).
Reconstruction Challenges and Outcomes: The approach toward Southern reintegration and freedmen's rights demonstrated both successes and eventual failures in promoting equality and sustaining economic recovery.
Topic 5.11 Failure of Reconstruction
Learning Objective: Explain the continuity and change in national values post-Reconstruction.
Legacy of Racial Inequality and Resistance: The reinstitution of White supremacy and the emergence of organizations like the KKK highlighted the struggle for African Americans in securing rights.