Untitled Flashcards Set

Second Semester Study Guide (Honors)

Part I Cause and Effect Completion

The Age of Jackson, 1824-1840

1. The failure of any candidate to win an electoral majority in the four-way election of 1824 was caused by the number of candidates splitting the vote, making it difficult for any one candidate to get a majority. This sent the vote to the house of representatives, where it is alleged that the “corrupt bargain” between Clay and Adams occurred (Adams became president)

2. The alleged "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay for the presidency in 1824 was caused by the lack of majority for the electors in the election of 1824. Clay(came in 4th) was a speaker of the house, and told his supporters to vote for Adams, winning him the election. Adams later made Clay his secretary of state, leading Jackson’s supporters to vow revenge, as this election was stolen from them in a “corrupt bargain”

3. Andrew Jackson’s appeal to the common people arose partly because he grew up on the frontier and wasn’t part of the rich upper class. He had a reputation as a fighter and a hero(Battle of New Orleans, War of 1812), and he promised to represent ordinary farmers, workers, and poor people instead of the wealthy elite. Because of this, many common people liked Jackson and supported him, which helped him win the presidency in 1828(as voting rights had changed and the “common man” could now vote). His election also helped start the idea of Jacksonian Democracy, where the common people had more control over the government.

4. Jackson’s belief that any ordinary American could hold government office was caused by him believing that any ordinary American man (not just the wealthy or well-educated) was capable of serving in government(public office shouldn’t be controlled by a small group of elites). He came up with the “spoils system” where political supporters were rewarded with government positions(gave government jobs to his supporters and friends, even if they didn’t have much experience). 

5. The high New England-backed Tariff 1828 was started when the New England colonies had many new factories, and needed them to make money. Higher tariffs meant higher prices for imported factory goods, which would allow American manufacturers to outsell their foreign competitors(meant to protect American-made goods by making foreign goods more expensive). The tariff hurt the South, which relied on imported goods and trade with other countries. Southerners called it the “Tariff of Abominations” and became angry, especially in South Carolina, where it led to the Nullification Crisis

6. Under the surface of the South's strong opposition to the "Tariff of Abomination" was fear that the federal government might also try to interfere with slavery, which was very important to the Southern economy(plantations) and way of life. This fear made Southern states(especially South Carolina) more defensive about their rights. It helped lead to the Nullification Crisis, where they argued that states could ignore(nullify) federal laws they didn’t like.

7. President Jackson’s “war” against Nicholas Biddle and his policies was caused by his distrust with the man. Biddle was the Bank of the United States(national bank) president and was everything that Jackson was not: wealthy, upper class, well educated, and widely traveled. He believed the bank had too much power and only helped the rich (the bank was partly owned by the federal government, and it had a monopoly on federal deposits). Jackson thought it was unfair to ordinary Americans. Jackson vetoed the renewal of the bank’s charter and took government money out of the national bank, putting it into state banks (nicknamed “pet banks”) instead. This weakened the Bank of the United States and eventually led to its shutdown.

8. The demand of many whites to acquire Indian land in Georgia and other states was caused by the growing tension between the two. Many white settlers wanted to take over Native American land in Georgia and other southern states, especially as cotton farming grew. They pressured the government to remove Native Americans from these lands. This led to the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forced many Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, to leave their homelands and move west. This caused the Trail of Tears, where thousands of Native Americans died during the forced journey.

Westward Expansion, 1803-1849

9 France's acquisition of Louisiana from Spain happened because Napoleon Bonaparte convinced Spain to return the territory in 1800. He wanted to use Louisiana to supply food for enslaved people working on French sugar plantations in the Caribbean (Haiti). Napoleon's plans alarmed frontier farmers. New Orleans was part of Louisiana, and if Napoleon closed the port to American goods, farmers would have no way to get their crops to market. President Thomas Jefferson understood the concerns of American farmers. In 1803, he sent James Monroe to France with an offer to buy New Orleans for $7.5 million, setting the stage for the Louisiana Purchase.

10 Napoleon's foreign troubles with Britain and Santo Domingo rose because an enslaved man named Toussaint L'Ouverture had led a revolt against enslavement in the French Caribbean colony known today as Haiti. The formerly enslaved people defeated the French troops who tried to take back the colony, and as a result, Napoleon no longer needed Louisiana. In addition, France and Great Britain were on the brink of war. Napoleon knew that he might lose Louisiana to the British, so rather than lose Louisiana, it made sense to sell it to the United States.. This led him to abandon his plans for an American empire and sell the Louisiana Territory to the United States, fearing he might lose it to the British anyway.

11. The Louisiana Purchase provoked Federalists to oppose the deal because they feared it would make the country too large to govern effectively and shift political power away from the eastern states. They also believed spending $15 million on land was wasteful and argued the Constitution did not authorize the purchase of foreign territory. Their opposition sparked debates over constitutional interpretation and the limits of presidential power, but despite these concerns, the Senate ratified the treaty. The deal was celebrated by many Americans, especially western farmers, and it paved the way for exploration and westward expansion.

12 In the immediate aftermath of the successful Texas Revolution, many Americans believed Texas was valuable land for growing cotton and expanding slavery. In addition, many southerners hoped that Texas would one day be annexed into the United States. This led to Texas becoming an independent nation, with many of its citizens pushing for U.S. statehood. This led to debates over slavery and the possibility of war with Mexico, which eventually resulted in the annexation of Texas in 1845.

13 Rapidly growing American settlement in Oregon Country raised tensions with Great Britain over ownership of the region and increased demands for the United States to claim the land. Settlers were drawn by reports of fertile farmland, abundant forests, and the promise of a better life. As pressure mounted, President Polk pushed for U.S. control of Oregon, but to avoid war with Britain, he agreed to a treaty dividing the land at the 49th parallel. This compromise allowed the U.S. to peacefully gain the southern portion of Oregon Country while avoiding conflict.

14. The upsurge of Manifest Destiny in the 1840s 

15 Polk’s frustration at Mexico’s refusal to sell California increased tensions between the two nations. This anger grew even more after the annexation of Texas and the dispute over its southern border. This sparked the Mexican-American War, which ended with the U.S. defeating Mexico. As a result, the United States gained vast territories in the Mexican Cession, fulfilling much of its goal of manifest destiny.

16. The overwhelming American victory over Mexico came after U.S. forces captured Mexico City during the Mexican-American War. This success followed Polk’s determination to gain California and New Mexico—even if it meant war. The United States gained a huge amount of land through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, fulfilling much of its manifest destiny. However, it also sparked debate over expansion and revealed a darker side of U.S. ambition.

17. The major domestic consequence of the Mexican War was tied to the vast new territory the U.S. gained from Mexico, including California and New Mexico. While this fulfilled Polk’s expansion goals, it quickly raised questions about whether slavery would spread into the new lands. This reignited national debates over slavery and increased tensions between the North and South. The issue would eventually push the country closer to civil war.

18. The California Gold Rush began after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1848, shortly after the U.S. gained California from Mexico. News of the discovery spread quickly, drawing thousands of people from across the country and the world. This sudden population boom helped California qualify for statehood within just two years. However, it also intensified debates over whether California would enter the Union as a free or slave state.

The Era of Reform, 1790-1848

19. The Second Great Awakening was caused by a growing desire in the early 1800s for people to improve society and reconnect with religion. This inspired many reform movements, including efforts to end slavery, improve education, and help the poor and mentally ill.

20. The transcendentalist ideas of Emerson and Thoreau were caused by the belief that every human being has unlimited potential, but in order to realize their godlike nature, people have to transcend(go beyond) purely logical thinking(people should trust their inner selves, be independent, and live in harmony with nature). Their ideas encouraged people to think for themselves, stand up for what they believed in, and live simply. Thoreau’s writings, like Civil Disobedience, influenced later social reformers. 

21 Henry David Thoreau's theory of "civil disobedience" was based on his belief that people should not obey laws they believe are unjust. He believed that people should stand for what they think is right and not to blindly follow laws(especially those about war/slavery). Thoreau’s idea of peaceful, nonviolent protest inspired future leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi, who used civil disobedience to fight injustice and bring about social change.

22 Unrealistic expectations and conflict within perfectionist communities were caused by the belief that if people could work the same amount everybody would get the benefits of this work(socialism). However, these “ideal communities” backfired as most people couldn’t work together in harmony(due to human nature), preventing these utopian societies from lasting for long times. 

23. Reformer Dorothea Dix worked for the cause of better treatment of the mentally ill as well as prisoners. When she worked for a prison, she saw the horrible environments they were living in. Her efforts led to improved conditions for both groups, as by the time she passed in 1887, most state governments no longer put debtors in prison, had outlawed cruel punishments like branding people with hot irons, and had created special justice systems for children in trouble. Dix had shown that reformers could lead society to make significant changes.

24 Horace Mann's support of a tax-supported system of public education was caused by his belief that education was the key to a better society. He supported a tax-supported system of public education so that all children, no matter their background, could go to school and become informed, responsible citizens. His efforts led to the growth of free public schools, better teacher training, and more equal access to education across the country. Mann’s ideas helped lay the foundation for the American public school system we have today.

25 The constant abolitionist agitation in the North was caused by the growing belief that slavery was morally wrong and went against American ideals of freedom and equality. This led to increased tension between the North and South, as Southerners felt attacked and feared that slavery would be abolished. It also helped grow the abolitionist movement, with more people speaking out, publishing newspapers, and organizing to end slavery.

26. Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth's accounts of life as a slave were caused by their experiences as slaves and the need to speak out about the conditions they were forced to endure. Their powerful speeches and writings helped expose the cruelty of slavery, inspire others to join the abolitionist movement, and push the country closer to ending slavery.

27 Women abolitionists' anger at being ignored by male reformers was caused by their anger when they were ignored or pushed aside by male reformers, even though they were active in the fight to end slavery. They were not allowed to speak at meetings or fully participate, which made them realize that they were also being denied equal rights. This led to women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott to shift their focus toward fighting for women’s rights. Their frustration helped spark the women’s rights movement, starting with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, where they demanded equal rights, including the right to vote (suffrage)

28. The Seneca Falls Convention launched the women's rights movement with its call for

The Worlds of North and South, 1790-1860

29. The poverty and Roman Catholic faith of most Irish immigrants set them apart from the largely Protestant, native-born population. Many Irish were willing to work for very low wages due to their limited options. This led to widespread resentment from Americans who feared job competition and distrusted their religion, causing Irish immigrants to face significant discrimination in cities where they settled.

30. Improved western transportation and the invention of the McCormick reaper allowed farmers to harvest crops more efficiently and move goods to market with greater ease. These innovations reduced labor needs and connected rural areas to growing cities and trade routes. As a result, farming expanded rapidly across the western frontier, boosting the economy, attracting more settlers, and helping turn the Midwest into a major center of agricultural production.

31. The completion of the Erie Canal created the first all-water route between the Central Plains and East Coast, making it much easier and cheaper to transport goods. This boosted trade, helped New York City become a major port, encouraged westward settlement, and inspired other states to build canals, fueling economic growth across the nation.

32. The development of a strong east-west canal network connected inland farms and towns to coastal markets, greatly lowering transportation costs and speeding up the movement of goods. This improved trade and communication, helped unify the growing nation, and encouraged economic expansion across different regions.

33. Whitney’s cotton gin and southern frontier expansionism made cotton farming much faster and more profitable by quickly separating cotton fibers from seeds. This led planters to expand into new lands in the South and West to grow more cotton, which increased the spread of slavery as more workers were needed to plant and harvest the crop. 

34. Belief in white superiority and the hope of owning slaves motivated many white settlers to move into southern frontier areas, thinking they had the right to take land and enslave people. This belief helped spread slavery into new territories, increasing conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups and setting the stage for future divisions in the country.

35. The selling of slaves at auctions was caused by the demand for labor in the South and the view of enslaved people as property. Families were often torn apart as men, women, and children were sold to different owners to make profits. This cruel system caused deep emotional pain and trauma among enslaved people and contributed to their desire to escape or resist slavery in any way they could.

36. The slaves’ love of freedom and hatred of their condition was caused by the brutal realities of slavery(being treated as property, denied education, separated from family, and forced to work without pay). This deep desire for freedom led enslaved people to resist through escape, rebellion, and subtle forms of resistance like working slowly, pretending to be sick, or keeping cultural traditions alive in secret.

37. The religious fervor of the Second Great Awakening was caused by a new movement where people wanted to become better Christians and help others. This made many people want to end slavery because they believed it was morally wrong. It gave people a reason to fight for what was right.

38. Nat Turner’s bloody slave rebellion was caused by his belief that God told him to fight against slavery. He led a violent uprising in Virginia that killed over 50 white people. After that, the South made even stricter laws to control slaves and stop future rebellions.

A Dividing Nation, 1820-1861

39. The Underground Railroad was caused by the need of slaves to escape the south, due to the harsh environment they lived in. Strict laws like the Fugitive Slave Act made it dangerous, but people still believed it was right to help enslaved individuals gain freedom. This caused abolitionists like Harriet Tubman to help people escape. It also increased tensions between the North and South, as Southerners were angry that the North was helping enslaved people escape.

40 The Compromise of 1850 was caused by tensions between the North and South regarding the territories gained after the Mexican-American War. Both sides wanted to protect their interests: the South wanted to keep slavery legal in these areas, while the North wanted to limit its spread. The compromise admitted California into the Union as a free state, while letting the territories decide slavery by popular sovereignty(introduced by Stephen Douglass). It also made stricter Fugitive Slave laws, and enforced them more.  While it temporarily eased tensions, it also made both sides unhappy and set the stage for more conflict leading to the Civil War.

41 The Fugitive Slave Law was a term in the Compromise of 1850 that was added because Southern states demanded stronger laws to recover escaped enslaved people who had fled to free states. They wanted to protect their “property” and make sure escaped slaves were returned quickly. The law required citizens and officials in free states to help capture and return escaped enslaved people, even if they wanted to remain free. This law angered many in the North, leading to increased support for the abolitionist movement and more people helping slaves escape through the Underground Railroad.

42. Stephen Douglas' indifference to slavery and the desire for a northern railroad route caused him to propose the Kansas-Nebraska Act. He wanted to let people in new territories decide about slavery/vote on it under popular sovereignty so he could get Southern support for building a railroad through the North. This led to a small civil war in Kansas called “Bleeding Kansas”, where both anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces fought over whether slavery should be allowed in the territory.

43. The Kansas-Nebraska Act was caused by the push to let new territories decide the issue of slavery using popular sovereignty. It canceled the Missouri Compromise, which had banned slavery in certain areas. This led to violence in Kansas, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers rushed in to influence the vote, resulting in the conflict known as “Bleeding Kansas”(mini civil war). 

44 Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin was caused by her anger toward the cruelty of slavery. She wrote the novel to show the harsh treatment enslaved people faced. It became very popular in the North and made many people turn against slavery, while Southerners were outraged and said the book was unfair. Northerners could also no longer claim ignorance to the subject. 

45. The exercise of "popular sovereignty" was meant to let settlers in each new territory vote on whether or not to allow slavery. In places like Kansas, it led to major violence as both sides tried to control the vote. This showed that popular sovereignty made things worse, not better, when it came to dealing with slavery.

46. The Dred Scott case was caused by an enslaved man who sued for his freedom after living in free states. The Supreme Court ruled that African Americans were not citizens(like a horse, they were property) and that Congress had no power to ban slavery in the territories. This decision made many Northerners angry and increased tensions between the North and South.

47. John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry was caused by his belief that he was chosen by God to end slavery. He tried to start a slave uprising by attacking a federal arsenal in Virginia. The raid failed, and Brown was captured and hanged. The South was shocked and saw it as proof that Northerners wanted to destroy their way of life.

45. The splitting of the Democratic party in 1860 was caused by arguments over slavery. Northern Democrats supported popular sovereignty, while Southern Democrats wanted slavery protected everywhere. They couldn’t agree on a candidate, so they split into two groups. This helped Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, win the election.

49 The election of Lincoln as president was caused by the Democratic Party splitting and the North’s strong support(won with only Northern votes). Lincoln promised to stop the spread of slavery, not end it where it already existed but Southern states felt like they had no voice in the government and began to secede from the Union.

50. South Carolina's assault on Fort Sumter was caused by the election of Lincoln and Southern states seceding from the Union. When U.S. soldiers refused to leave the fort, South Carolina attacked. This marked the start of the Civil War as other Southern states joined the fight.

The Civil War, 1861-1865

51. The Battle of Bull Run was caused by the Union’s belief that the war would be short and easy. Union troops marched into Virginia(to get to Richmond, V.A the capital) to quickly defeat the Confederates. But the Confederates, led by General “Stonewall” Jackson, held their ground and forced the Union to retreat. This first major battle showed that the Civil War would be long and bloody.

52. Grant's Tennessee and Mississippi River Campaign was caused by the Union’s plan to take control of major rivers and split the Confederacy. General Ulysses S. Grant won important battles at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Vicksburg, gaining control of the Mississippi River. This was a turning point that weakened the South’s ability to move troops and supplies.

53. The Battle of Antietam was caused by Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s plan to invade the North and win support from Europe(France/Britain). The battle, fought in Maryland, became the bloodiest single day in American history, with over 22,000 casualties. It ended in a draw(very close Union victory), but gave President Lincoln the chance to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

54. The Emancipation Proclamation was caused by the Union’s need to weaken the South and give the war a moral purpose. After the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln announced that all slaves in the Confederate states would be set free. It didn’t end slavery right away, but it changed the purpose of the war to include ending slavery(moral cause), and kept Britain and France(who didn’t support slavery) from helping the South.

55. The Battle of Gettysburg was caused by another attempt by General Lee to invade the North(he got cocky). The battle lasted three days and ended with a major Union victory. It was the turning point of the Civil War, with Lee’s army forced to retreat and never able to invade the North again.

56. A series of Union victories by General Sherman in late 1864 was caused by the North’s goal to break the South’s will to fight. General William Tecumseh Sherman captured Atlanta and began his famous “March to the Sea,” destroying railroads, crops, and towns. This strategy of total war(war on the enemy's will to fight and its ability to support an army) hurt the South’s economy and helped Lincoln win re-election.

57 General Grant's final brutal campaign in Virginia was caused by his goal to defeat Lee’s army and end the war. From battles like Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor to the long siege of Petersburg, Grant kept pushing forward with heavy losses. Eventually, Lee’s army was surrounded, leading to his surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865

Reconstruction, 1865-1877

58. The South's military defeat in the Civil War was caused by: fewer factories, a smaller population, and Union victories like Gettysburg and Sherman’s March to the Sea. The South also ran out of supplies and soldiers, due to the total war tactics. In 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant, marking the end of the war and the beginning of Reconstruction.

59 The Freedmen's Bureau was created after the Civil War to help freed slaves and poor whites in the South. It gave out food, clothing, education, and medical care. It also helped former slaves find jobs and set up schools. While it made a difference in some areas, it didn’t last long and lacked strong support.

60. The Black Codes of 1865 were laws passed by Southern states to limit the freedom of African Americans after slavery ended. These laws tried to keep Black people in a position similar to slavery by restricting their rights, like where they could work or live. The Black Codes made many Northerners angry and led to more support for Radical Reconstruction(punishment instead of reconciliation).

61. The election of ex-Confederates to Congress in 1865 was caused by President Johnson’s easy plan for Reconstruction, which let Southern states rejoin the Union quickly. Southern voters chose many former Confederate leaders to represent them. This upset many Northerners and Radical Republicans, who didn’t want the same people who caused the war to be back in power.

62. The "radical" Southern state Reconstruction governments were caused by Radical Republicans taking control of Congress. They required Southern states to write new constitutions, accept the 14th Amendment, and let Black men vote. These governments built schools, improved roads, and gave African Americans a voice in politics. Many white Southerners hated them and called them corrupt.

63. The radical Republicans hatred of President Johnson was caused by his efforts to block their plans for strict Reconstruction. Johnson vetoed laws meant to protect African Americans, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Congress overrode his vetoes, and later tried to impeach him. He barely stayed in office but lost most of his power.

64. The Ku Klux Klan was formed in the South after the Civil War to stop African Americans from voting and keep white control. The Klan used violence, threats, and terror against Black people and their allies. Congress passed laws to stop the Klan, but it still had a strong impact, especially in stopping Black political progress during Reconstruction.

65. The Compromise of 1877 was caused by a disputed presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) and Samuel Tilden (Democrat). To settle the argument, Democrats agreed to let Hayes become president if Republicans agreed to remove federal troops from the South. This ended Reconstruction, and Southern states quickly passed new laws to take away Black rights again(Jim Crow laws). 

Part II: Multiple Choice

The Declaration of Independence

66. John Locke's Social Contract is the idea that people agree to follow laws and accept government authority in exchange for protection of their natural rights(live, liberty, property/pursuit of happiness)

67. Purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to explain why the American colonies wanted to break away from British rule and become independent(list Britain’s unfair actions and violations of rights)

68. The three natural rights listed in the Declaration are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

69. The right to rule as stated in the Declaration comes from the consent of the governed (the people).

70. The primary purpose of the government, according to the Declaration, is to protect people’s natural rights.

71. The Declaration states that people have the right to change or abolish a government if it fails to protect their rights.

72. The purpose of the item-by-item list of complaints listed in the Declaration show the reasons why the colonies were unhappy with King George III and British rule.