dcush final
Be familiar with the following terms, events, and people and expect multiple-choice tests to assess your understanding of each item.
Alexander Hamilton’s economic program
National Bank – Think of it like a supercharged savings account for the whole country. It would handle money, regulate the economy, and keep things organized.
Federal Assumption of State Debts – Basically, the federal government would pay off all the states’ debts from the Revolutionary War. This made the whole country financially tied together.
Tariffs – Hamilton wanted to tax imported goods to protect American factories and make some cash. But the South was like “What about us? We don’t have factories!” So, the North got rich, and the South got mad.
"Yo, we need $$$ and a NATIONAL BANK." Plus, debts = no more drama.
“separate spheres of influence” for women vs. men in early 19th century
A social theory that men were suited for the public sphere (politics, work, etc.) while women were confined to the private sphere (home and family). This reinforced gender roles during the 19th century.
Back in the day, society was like “men go out into the world and do politics, work, fight wars” while “women stay home and raise kids.” It was all about gender roles. This created a huge divide and made it hard for women to break out of the traditional roles.
The presidential election of 1840
This was a major campaign glow-up. The Whigs (William Henry Harrison) were like, "We’re gonna make Harrison look like a regular guy who drinks hard cider and lives in a log cabin." They were trying to appeal to the common man, and it worked. Harrison beat Martin Van Buren, but it was a modern campaign – it used rallies, slogans, and even the press to get people hyped. It was the first-time candidates really tried to sell themselves like a product.
Tariff of Abominations of 1828
A protective tariff aimed at shielding northern industries but was hated by southern states because it raised prices on imported goods. It contributed to tensions that led to the Nullification Crisis.
North (where they have factories) says, “Let’s make imported stuff more expensive so we can sell our own products.” But the South (who’s mostly farmers) was like, “What the heck?! That makes everything we buy more expensive!” The South flipped out and said the government couldn’t do that. This led to South Carolina trying to nullify (ignore) the tariff, and it created massive drama. It also led to the Nullification Crisis, where states fought over whether they had the power to ignore federal laws.
North like “protect our factories!!”, South like “what why are things SO EXPENSIVE?!”
The First Great Awakening
A religious revival in the 1730s and 1740s that emphasized emotional experiences and personal salvation, helping to shape religious freedom and diversity in the American colonies.
People started saying, “Forget the rules, I want to have a real connection with God!” It spread through emotional preaching and helped create religious diversity in the colonies. It’s like a huge spiritual revival where people felt they could directly connect with God instead of just following strict church rules.
Revival!!! People were like “feel the spirit” but also “I need religious freedom.”
The Embargo Act of 1807
A law passed by President Thomas Jefferson that prohibited American ships from trading with foreign nations to avoid entanglement in European conflicts. It hurt the U.S. economy.
Thomas Jefferson was like, “Let’s stay out of European wars and avoid drama.” So, he passed the Embargo Act, which said, “No trade with Britain or France!” It wrecked the U.S. economy. Ships couldn’t trade, and businesses went bankrupt.
The National Road
The first major highway built by the federal government, stretching from Maryland to Illinois. It played a significant role in connecting the East to the West and stimulating trade and settlement.
Without this road, you would’ve been stuck trying to get around in a covered wagon. So, the National Road helped spread people and goods across the country.
It’s the first-ever highway, fam! From Maryland to Illinois. Y’all can finally road trip for real.
Manifest Destiny
The belief that the United States was destined by God to expand across the North American continent, justified by the idea of spreading democracy and civilization.
“We are destined to take over the whole continent, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.” And they justified it by saying it was their God-given duty to spread democracy and civilization. So, they moved west, and even though it meant taking land from Native Americans and Mexico, it was just “destiny”.
Louisiana Purchase
The U.S. purchase of a vast territory from France under President Thomas Jefferson. It nearly doubled the size of the United States and opened the door for westward expansion.
Suddenly, the U.S. had access to more land to expand westward. This was a major move, and Jefferson, who was all about small government, had to stretch his interpretation of the Constitution to make it happen.
(1803): America went "GIMME ALL THE LAND" from France. France was like “OK, sure.” DOUBLE the size of the country.
Textile industry in Lowell, Massachusetts
The creation of the Lowell Mills, where young women worked in textile factories. It was one of the first industrialized workforces and marked the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution. It was the start of industrializing America, but it also showed how much harder work could be for women outside the home.
Girls working in factories in Massachusetts. INDUSTRY IS HERE, Y’ALL. #IndustrialRevolution
Differences between North and South at the beginning of the Civil War; strengths of South vs. North
Economic Differences: The North was industrialized and had a diversified economy, while the South was agrarian and dependent on slave labor for cotton production.
Strengths: The North had a larger population, industrial capacity, and a more extensive railroad system. The South had a strong military tradition and home-field advantage.
North: More factories, railroads, and a bigger population. They also had more money and could produce weapons and supplies for war.
South: Depended on agriculture, especially cotton, and used slave labor. They had fewer factories and railroads but a strong military tradition. Their idea was to fight a defensive war, hoping the North would eventually give up.
North: Industry, Railroads, Bigger Pop . South: Slavery, Cotton, military drama
Changes in America between 1815 and 1830
This period saw the rise of nationalism, the expansion of suffrage (white men), the development of the market economy, and the spread of slavery into new territories.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Event (1858): A series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for a Senate seat. They debated issues like slavery, popular sovereignty, and the future of the Union.
Lincoln didn’t win the Senate seat, but these debates made him famous and set him up for the 1860 presidential race.
Lincoln vs. Stephen A. Douglas. Slavery? States' rights? BIG drama.
Preston Brooks/Charles Sumner Confrontation
Event (1856): So, things were super tense between the North and South over slavery. Charles Sumner, a Senator from the North, gave a fiery speech against slavery. Preston Brooks, a Congressman from the South, was so mad that he beat Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor. It was a big moment that showed how violent and emotional the country was getting over slavery.
President Lincoln ‘s Objectives and Actions during Civil War
Preserving the Union, ending slavery, and maintaining national unity. Actions included issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and the suspension of habeas corpus in certain areas.
Lincoln wasn’t just fighting to end slavery (though that became a key part), but his main goal was to preserve the Union. He wanted to keep the country together, and he did whatever it took, including suspending habeas corpus (which allowed the government to arrest people without trial).
"I will END slavery and KEEP the Union together." He dropped the Emancipation Proclamation. BOOM
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the people in a territory should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. It was advocated by Stephen Douglas and used in the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
This worked in theory, but it led to chaos and violence when people from both sides flooded into Kansas to vote, leading to the "Bleeding Kansas" conflict.
"Let the people decide if they want slavery." (Spoiler: It got violent, though. #BleedingKansas)
President James Buchanan (1856-60)
Known for his inability to address the rising tensions over slavery and his failure to prevent Southern secession, which led to the outbreak of the Civil War.
James Buchanan is like that friend who doesn’t know how to solve problems. In the 1850s, the whole country was about to explode over slavery, and Buchanan did NOTHING to stop it. The South was about to secede, and Buchanan was like, "Nah, I’ll just let them do their thing." The dude was super bad at leading during the worst possible time. Thanks to his inaction, the Civil War was pretty much inevitable.
Worst president? Couldn’t stop the country from falling apart.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin (including impact)
Book (1852): Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, this novel exposed the horrors of slavery and galvanized Northern opposition to slavery, contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War.
It turned the North against slavery, and honestly, it played a huge role in pushing the country to the brink of Civil War. The South, obviously, was not happy about it, but it was too late – the damage was done.
Homestead Act of 1862
Gave 160 acres of public land to settlers for a small fee if they improved the land by building a house and farming it for five years. It encouraged westward expansion.
It was basically like a giveaway, but the catch was, you had to work it. A lot of people took the deal and moved west. It helped people settle new lands, but also spread slavery into places that were supposed to be free (hello, drama).
160 acres of FREE LAND if you work it. America was like “Y’all better farm that land now.”
Mexican-American War Military Leaders for U.S.
General Zachary Taylor and General Winfield Scott led U.S. forces during the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the U.S. gaining significant territory, including California.
The war was a huge win for the U.S. because they gained tons of land (including California). But then, of course, the question became: Should slavery be allowed in these new lands?
John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry
Event (1859): Abolitionist John Brown attempted to incite an armed slave revolt by raiding a federal arsenal at Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The raid failed, but it increased tensions between North and South. He was caught and executed, but it freaked out the South. They were like, “The North is coming for us!” Tensions were so high; people were ready to fight.
President Zachary Taylor’s Role in Compromise of 1850
Zachary Taylor was the president who was really against expanding slavery into new territories. But he didn’t get to finish his job because he died in office in 1850 (RIP). After he died, the Compromise of 1850 was passed, trying to balance things by letting California in as a free state, but also enforcing the Fugitive Slave Act, which made it a crime to help runaway slaves. Basically, it was a half-win, half-loser deal that didn’t solve the problem – it just kicked the can down the road.
California = Free State, Fugitive Slave Act = much worse. It’s a mess.
Economic Crisis of 1857
A financial panic that led to a severe economic downturn, affecting Northern industries.
Banks went bankrupt, factories shut down, and everyone was poor for a minute. This made things even worse between the North and South because the North was like, “We’re losing money because of this, and it’s all because the South isn’t paying their share.” The economy was already a huge point of tension, and this just made the divide worse.
Reasons and Order of Southern Secession
In 1860, when Abraham Lincoln won the election, the South lost their minds. They thought, "If we don’t secede now, we’re gonna lose slavery forever." So, South Carolina was first to bounce, and then other Southern states followed. They formed the Confederacy, basically saying, “We’re out, see you later.” It was the final straw before the Civil War. The North and South were officially split, and no one knew how to fix it.
California Gold Rush of 1849
The discovery of gold in California led to a mass migration of people (the "49ers") to California. It helped accelerate California's admission to the Union and increased tensions over slavery in the new territories.
But since this new state could decide if they were pro-slavery or not, it caused major tension between the North and South over whether it should be a free or slave state. Spoiler: it was a big factor in pushing forward the Compromise of 1850.
Gold in California = a ton of people rush to find it. More people = more tension over slavery. Gold fever but with a side of chaos.
Compromise of 1850,
A series of laws aimed at resolving tensions over slavery. It included the admission of California as a free state, the Fugitive Slave Act, and popular sovereignty in the new territories of Utah and New Mexico.
The Compromise was like a desperate attempt to chill everyone out. California’s like, “I wanna be free!” so it gets admitted as a free state. But to balance things, the South gets the Fugitive Slave Act, which means you gotta return runaway slaves. And then there’s popular sovereignty in the new territories of Utah and New Mexico—basically letting people vote if they want slavery. Spoiler: It doesn't go well.
Rise of the Republican Party in the mid-1850s
The Republican Party was founded in the 1850s in response to the expansion of slavery, particularly after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. It was a coalition of anti-slavery Whigs, Free Soilers, and abolitionists.
The party was a mix of people who hated slavery—like ex-Whigs, Free Soilers, and abolitionists. Their main goal? Stop slavery from expanding, and they were READY to fight for it.
Anti-slavery vibes only. Created to stop slavery from spreading. #NoMoreSlavery
Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman was an escaped enslaved woman who became one of the most famous "conductors" on the Underground Railroad, helping hundreds of enslaved people escape to freedom.
Escaped slavery, then came back to help hundreds escape via the Underground Railroad. Literally a hero.
1860 Election – Specifics and Results
Key Event: The 1860 Presidential Election saw Abraham Lincoln (Republican) win, defeating Stephen A. Douglas (Northern Democrat), John C. Breckinridge (Southern Democrat), and John Bell (Constitutional Union).
Results: Lincoln won without carrying a single Southern state, reflecting the deep sectional divide in the country.
And yeah, the South is like, “Okay, time to dip,” and starts seceding. Lincoln’s win basically triggered the Civil War. Oops.
Southern/Northern/Border States in Civil War
Southern States: These states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederacy. Key states included South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and Texas.
Northern States: The Union, led by President Lincoln, included the industrialized, free states like New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Border States: These were slave states that did not secede. They were crucial to the Union cause. Key border states included Maryland, Kentucky, Missouri, and Delaware.
Nativist Party and Nativists in 1850s
Nativist Party: The Know-Nothing Party (or American Party) was a political party in the 1850s that promoted anti-immigrant and anti-Catholic policies, reflecting fears about the increasing number of Irish and German immigrants.
Nativists: People who supported these views, often fearing the cultural and political impact of immigrants, particularly Irish Catholics, on American society.
They thought immigrants would take jobs, change politics, and ruin everything—but it was just the fear talking.
Abolition Movement
The Abolitionist Movement sought to end slavery in the United States.
The people were like, “Nope, slavery has to GO.” But the South was like, “Ugh, we’re not having it.”
Gadsden Purchase
Event (1854): The Gadsden Purchase was an agreement between the United States and Mexico in which the U.S. purchased land in present-day southern Arizona and New Mexico for $10 million. This land was needed for the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad.
#BusinessMoves
Stonewall Jackson
Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was a Confederate general during the Civil War, known for his tactical brilliance and courage. He earned his nickname "Stonewall" for standing firm against Union troops at the First Battle of Bull Run. He played a critical role in the Confederate victories at battles like Chancellorsville, before dying from wounds in 1863.
Confederate general, known for being a beast at war. But RIP, he died from a friendly fire.
Black Codes
Black Codes were laws passed in Southern states after the Civil War during Reconstruction. They were designed to restrict the freedom of African Americans and ensure a labor force for the South. These laws included provisions for forced labor, curfews, and restrictions on property ownership, essentially attempting to preserve the system of white supremacy.
They were basically laws designed to trap freed Black people into a system that kept them working like enslaved people, without actually calling it slavery.
NYC Draft Riots
The New York City Draft Riots were violent protests the Union draft during the Civil War. They were fueled by working-class resentment, particularly among Irish immigrants, who were angry at being drafted to fight in a war they felt didn’t benefit them, and they also opposed emancipation. The riots lasted for several days, resulting in significant destruction and deaths.
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States (1849–1850). A military hero from the Mexican American War, Taylor's presidency was cut short by his death in office. He was a strong advocate for preserving the Union and opposed the extension of slavery into new territories.
His death brought in Millard Fillmore as president, which was like, a new chapter in the drama.
He was like "no more slavery in new territories," but then... died. Taylor’s death = Compromise of 1850 actually happened.
Civil War Strategy – North vs. South
North’s Strategy (Union): The Union was all about the Anaconda Plan. Basically, it was like, "Let’s suffocate the South." They would block Southern ports to cut off trade and control the Mississippi River to split the Confederacy in two. They wanted to slowly weaken the South’s ability to fight back.
South’s Strategy (Confederacy): The South was hoping they could just survive long enough to wear out the North. They thought European powers, like Britain and France, would swoop in because they were obsessed with Southern cotton. But yeah, spoiler alert: that didn’t work out as planned.
The Freedmen’s Bureau
The Freedmen’s Bureau was created by Congress during Reconstruction to assist formerly enslaved people and poor whites in the South. It provided food, housing, education, medical care, and legal assistance, and helped oversee labor contracts between freed people and landowners.
They were trying to fix the mess that Reconstruction left behind.
Dred Scott decision
In Dred Scott v. Sandford, the Supreme Court ruled that Dred Scott, an enslaved African American, could not sue for his freedom because he was not a citizen. The Court also declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, stating that Congress had no power to prohibit slavery in the territories, intensifying sectional tensions.
This was one of the worst Supreme Court decisions ever. On top of that, the court ruled that slavery could spread anywhere, even to places where it was previously banned (thanks to the Missouri Compromise). It was a huge win for pro-slavery forces and made the North furious.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
1854, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed, and it basically gave people in Kansas and Nebraska the power to vote on whether or not to allow slavery (known as popular sovereignty). But here’s the catch: it repealed the Missouri Compromise that had kept slavery out of northern territories, and boom, this led to "Bleeding Kansas"—a brutal, violent mess where pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces literally fought it out for control.
People could vote on slavery. It led to the Bleeding Kansas mess. Blood and chaos.
Trent Affair
Okay, so in 1861, the U.S. Navy grabbed two Confederate diplomats off a British ship, the Trent, which caused a huge international crisis. Britain was about to go full “we might go to war with you”, but Lincoln was like, “chill, just release them” to avoid a fight with Britain. That was a close call. #Diplomacy
U.S. almost fought Britain over a Confederate ship incident. It was like "BRITAIN, CHILL."
President Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson became president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. His approach to Reconstruction was lenient toward the South, offering pardons to many former Confederates.
Congress was NOT having it, and they impeached him, but he barely escaped being removed from office—by just one vote. Drama, right?
Took over after Lincoln. Made peace with the South, but Congress was like "NOPE." Impeached but barely survived.
The Wilmot Proviso
The Wilmot Proviso was a proposal to ban slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico after the Mexican American War.
It never passed, but it was a huge deal because it sparked intense debates between the North and South over where slavery could spread. It was like adding fuel to the fire of tension.
Tried to stop slavery in land from Mexico. Didn’t pass, but the drama got INTENSE.
Sites of Key Civil War Battles & Capitals
Important Battles:
Gettysburg (1863): A turning point battle won by the Union, considered the largest and bloodiest of the war.
Antietam (1862): The bloodiest single-day battle, technically a draw, but considered a Union victory because it halted the Confederate invasion of the North.
Fort Sumter (1861): The site of the first shots of the Civil War.
Capitals:
Union Capital: Washington, D.C.
Confederate Capital: Richmond, Virginia.
Gettysburg (1863): This is THE turning point of the war. The Union won, but it was huge—so many lives lost.
Antietam (1862): The bloodiest single day of the war, and while it was technically a draw, the Union stopped the Confederate push north, so it’s considered a Union win.
Fort Sumter (1861): The first shots of the Civil War were fired here. Boom. War started.
All Political Parties We’ve Covered this Semester.
Key Parties:
Democratic Party: The main political party before the Civil War, often pro-slavery in the South.
Whig Party: A political party that existed before the rise of the Republican Party, generally supporting modernization and internal improvements, but fractured over issues of slavery. This party was big on modernization but split over slavery. They didn’t last long.
Republican Party: Founded in the 1850s in opposition to the expansion of slavery, it became the party of the Union during the Civil War.
Know-Nothing Party (American Party): A nativist, anti-immigrant political party active in the 1850s.
Free Soil Party: Focused on stoppinf the expansion of slavery into new territories.
Constitutional Union Party: Formed in 1860, it was a centrist party that tried to avoid disunion over slavery.
Overall
Democrats: Pro-slavery (South).
Whigs: Gone now but were pro-internal improvements.
Republicans: Anti-slavery, we got this.
Know-Nothings: Anti-immigrant. Big yikes.
Free Soil Party: Stop slavery expansion.
Constitutional Union: “Can we NOT fight about slavery?”
Missouri Compromise of 1820
The Missouri Compromise was an agreement that allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state, maintaining a balance in Congress. It also established the 36°30′ parallel as the dividing line for slavery in future territories (except Missouri).
Missouri = slave state, Maine = free state. Gotta, keep it balanced.
John Marshall’s Supreme Court
John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (1801-1835).
His decisions set up the idea of judicial review, which means the Supreme Court can tell Congress or the President when a law is unconstitutional. This made the federal government way more powerful, especially in cases like McCulloch v. Maryland (states can’t mess with federal banks) and Gibbons v. Ogden (federal government controls interstate commerce). #ThanksJohnMarshall
Established judicial review (courts can strike down laws). Basically, he was the law.
Marbury v. Madison
This landmark case established the principle of judicial review, giving the courts the power to strike down unconstitutional laws. Judiciary Act of 1789 was unconstitutional.
Judicial review was born! The courts got power, baby!
Henry Clay’s American System
Plan: Henry Clay's American System was a plan aimed at strengthening and unifying the nation in the early 19th century. It proposed three main components:
Tariff – Make goods from other countries expensive so Americans buy more stuff made here.
National Bank – Set up a stable currency and make sure money doesn’t go all over the place.
Internal Improvements – Build roads, canals, and other stuff to make sure everything moves smoothly. Basically, infrastructure to boost the economy. #ModernizeAmerica
"Make America richer!" Tariffs, national bank, and roads/canals = economic glow up.
Fourteenth Amendment
The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States (including formerly enslaved people) and guaranteed equal protection under the law.
Gave citizenship and equal protection to EVERYONE born here. Bye-bye, racism. #CivilRights
Any Vocabulary from Quizzes this semester
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was a significant victory for the United States during the War of 1812. Under the command of Andrew Jackson, American forces decisively defeated the British in January 1815. This victory made Jackson a national hero and helped solidify American confidence post-war.
The battle happened after the peace treaty was signed (but the news hadn’t gotten there yet). #JacksonForPresident
Basis of American Constitution
The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1787, is based on the principles of popular sovereignty (government derives its power from the consent of the governed), separation of powers (dividing government responsibilities into branches), and checks and balances (each branch has powers to check the others). It sets forth the structure of the federal government, enumerates its powers, and protects individual liberties.
Popular Sovereignty – The government gets its power from the people.
Separation of Powers – Split the government into three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) to make sure no one gets too powerful.
Checks and Balances – Each branch can mess with the others to keep things fair. #SystemOfBalance
Invention of Telegraph
The telegraph, invented by Samuel Morse in 1837, revolutionized long-distance communication. Using a series of dots and dashes (Morse code), the telegraph allowed messages to be sent rapidly over long distances, laying the groundwork for future technological advancements in communication.
Names and Years in Office of 1st 16 Presidents
Presidents and Years in Office:
George Washington (1789–1797)
John Adams (1797–1801)
Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)
James Madison (1809–1817)
James Monroe (1817–1825)
John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)
Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)
Martin Van Buren (1837–1841)
William Henry Harrison (1841)
John Tyler (1841–1845)
James K. Polk (1845–1849)
Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)
Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)
Franklin Pierce (1853–1857)
James Buchanan (1857–1861)
Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)