Contextualizing Period 5 (1844-1877)
UNITED STATES HISTORY: AP® EDITION UNIT 5 — Period 5: 1844–1877
Topic 5.1 Contextualizing Period 5
Learning Objective
Explain the context in which sectional conflict emerged from 1844 to 1877.
Key Developments
Between 1844 and 1877, the U.S. expanded its territory to the Pacific Ocean, exacerbating sectionalism, particularly over slavery
The eruption of the Civil War (1861) marked a significant escalation in tensions, culminating in major federal government expansion and the end of slavery.
Despite the progress post-Civil War, racial issues persisted.
Social and Cultural Changes
Advances in political participation, education reforms, and cultural expressions through art and literature.
Challenges remained, especially in foreign affairs and slavery.
Growth in Land and Population
Westward expansion driven by a belief in Manifest Destiny, with significant acquisitions from negotiations, purchases, and war.
Major acquisition: Mexican War led to establishing the southern border and gaining Pacific ports.
Immigration from Europe (Ireland, China) increased due to famine and poverty; this sparked nativist sentiments.
Political Conflicts over Slavery
Escalating tensions between slave owners and abolitionists; growth of anti-slavery movements like the Underground Railroad.
Various compromises by Congress to resolve slavery-related conflicts, with notable political factions emerging.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
Election of Lincoln (1860) led to immediate fears amongst slaveholders, triggering secession from the Union by 11 states.
Lincoln’s opposition to the expansion of slavery was significant, although he promised to preserve it where it already existed.
The war resulted in 750,000 deaths and significant legal and constitutional changes, particularly in terms of federal power and civil rights.
Post-war Reconstruction brought conflict and systemic racism, with legislation such as Black Codes emerging to undermine newly gained rights for African Americans.
Landmark Events: 1844–1877
Outlined Events:
1844: Texas annexed, increasing tensions over slavery.
1846: Start of the Mexican-American War.
1850: Compromise passed regarding slavery in new territories.
1852: Publication of "Uncle Tom’s Cabin" highlights anti-slavery sentiments.
1863: Emancipation Proclamation issued; pivotal to the Civil War narrative.
1865: 13th Amendment ratified, officially ending slavery.
1869-1870: Ratification of the 14th and 15th Amendments, enfranchising African American male citizens.
Topic 5.2 The Idea of Manifest Destiny
Learning Objective
Explain the causes and effects of westward expansion from 1844 to 1877.
Manifest Destiny Defined
The belief that the U.S. was destined by Providence to expand its territory across North America.
Supported by nationalism, population rise, economic development, and technology advancements, though also met with criticism.
Key Territorial Disputes
1. Texas
American settlers in Texas led to tensions with the Mexican government.
Texas declared independence in 1836, legalized slavery, and was later annexed by the U.S. despite previous presidents’ hesitations over the issue of slavery.
2. Foster Expansionism
Conflicts occurred over Maine and Oregon leading to agreements that defined U.S.-Canada borders via the Webster-Ashburton Treaty.
Political Developments
The election of 1844 highlighted the division within the Democratic Party regarding annexation, leading to the candidacy of James K. Polk, a pro-Manifest Destiny candidate.
International Relations and War
The U.S. sought to acquire California, resulting in the Mexican-American War, spurred by the annexation of Texas and disputes over boarders.
Pragmatic use of Manifest Destiny as a justification for expanding slavery and tensions that arose from this.
Topic 5.3 Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War
Learning Objective
Explain the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War.
Pre-War Tensions
The annexation of Texas created disputes with Mexico, which refused to acknowledge the annexation.
Polk's desire for expansion led to failing diplomatic negotiations with Mexico, escalating tensions.
War Developments
Hostilities initiated after American and Mexican troops engaged at the Rio Grande, following Polk’s controversial assertion of “American blood on American soil.”
Key battles included Buena Vista and the capture of Mexico City, leading to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ceded California and New Mexico to the U.S.
Political Ramifications
The debates over whether new territories should allow slavery intensified sectional conflict.
The Wilmot Proviso proposed to ban slavery in the new territories but faced fierce opposition, illustrating the escalation of sectional tensions.
Topic 5.4 The Compromise of 1850
Learning Objective
Explain sectional attitudes and their effects on federal policies after the Mexican-American War.
The Compromise Initiated
A reaction to growing tensions between the North and South regarding new territories gained from Mexico.
Southern demand for new slave territories clashed with Northern calls for free soil, particularly following the Gold Rush leading to California's admission as a free state.
Legislative Measures
Key provisions of the Compromise:
Admission of California as a free state.
Creation of new territories (Utah and New Mexico) with the status of slavery determined by popular sovereignty.
Focus on enforcing stricter Fugitive Slave Laws.
Impact of the Compromise
While it temporarily alleviated conflicts, it created further divisions and discontent, particularly with the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act and its rise in Northern resistance.
Topic 5.5 Sectional Conflict: Regional Differences
Learning Objectives
Discuss the effects of immigration and regional attitudes on American culture between 1844-1877.
Immigration Dynamics
Significant immigration waves spurred by the Irish Potato Famine and German revolutions, leading to growth in urban centers.
Nativism emerged as a reaction against immigrants, promoting racial Catholic prejudices, especially against the Irish.
Reactions to Immigration
Forming of political parties like the Know-Nothing Party revealing the depth of nativism.
The competition for low-wage jobs emphasized broader anxieties regarding job security among native White populations.
Final Thoughts
Immigrants faced systemic discrimination but also contributed substantially to labor movements and industries during America's Industrial Revolution.
Topic 5.6 Failure of Compromise
Learning Objective
Analyze the causes of the Civil War from a political lens.
Overview of Compromise Failures
Attempts at compromise ultimately failed due to rising sectional tensions with issues regarding slavery’s expansion.
Figures such as Lincoln and Douglas represented competing visions leading to national discord and the Missouri Compromise, which presented long-standing issues surrounding American federalism and sectionalism.
Political Collapse
By 1860, failed political deals, divisive election outcomes, and ideological extremism cultivated the ground for a civil war. The formation of the Republican Party indicated distinct shifts away from moderative politics towards more radical stances on abolition.
Topic 5.7 Election of 1860 and Secession
Learning Objective
Assess the significance of Lincoln’s election and the sequence of secession events.
Lincoln's Election Impact
Lincoln's victory in 1860 created immediate panic in Southern states, triggering the secession of several states.
The split of the Democratic Party into Northern and Southern factions highlighted the sectional division.
The Immediate Aftermath
Secession led to the formation of the Confederacy, further pushing the nation towards war.
Topic 5.8 Military Conflict in the Civil War
Learning Objective
Evaluate the various factors leading to Union victory.
Key Factors
Industrial strength, effective military strategy, and significant naval powers gave the Union various advantages.
Civil War battles, such as Antietam and Vicksburg, marked turning points in the war.
Strategies transitioned into total war perspectives, illustrated by Sherman's March through the South.
Topic 5.9 Government Policies During the Civil War
Learning Objective
Describe the impact of Lincoln’s actions on American governance.
Political Innovation
Introduced legislative measures that expanded the scope of federal government powers, especially regarding civil liberties and war powers.
Significant shifts in the understanding of federal-state relations were precipitated by war needs.
Emancipation Developments
The issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation reshaped the intentions of the war, framing it not only as a conflict over national unity but also as a moral battle against slavery.
Topic 5.10 Reconstruction
Learning Objective
Explain the effects of government policy during Reconstruction.
Key Policies and Amendments
Highlighted the successive iterations of attempts to reset Southern governance and safeguard the rights of newly freed individuals, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments.
Legislative Challenges
Faced significant opposition from White supremacy proponents, which limited effective implementation; however, it laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements.
Topic 5.11 Failure of Reconstruction
Learning Objective
Assess the continuity and change in American values post-Reconstruction.
Challenges and Responses
The dynamics of racial oppression persisted post-Reconstruction, despite legislative attempts at ensuring rights for African Americans.
The Economic, Political, Cultural Landscape
The decade after Reconstruction posed immense challenges that polarized society over issues of race and governance, underscoring long-standing tensions in American history.
Topic 5.12 Comparison in Period 5
Learning Objective
Evaluate changes in American values highlighted through historical developments from 1844 to 1877.
Comparative Analysis
Manifest Destiny shaped differing attitudes towards territory and slavery, while, the political landscape after the Civil War transformed the characterization of American rights.
Conclusion
The processes of sectionalism, conflict, and social justice movements are foundationally rooted in events from 1844 to 1877, ultimately shaping modern American values and governance.
Here are the key terms from Topic 5.1, "Contextualizing Period 5," with their definitions:
Sectionalism: Exacerbated divisions between different regions of the U.S., particularly over the issue of slavery, as the U.S. expanded its territory.
Civil War (1861-1865): A significant escalation in tensions that began in 1861, culminating in major federal government expansion and the end of slavery.
Manifest Destiny: The belief that the U.S. was destined by Providence to expand its territory across North America, driving westward expansion.
Mexican War: A major acquisition effort that led to the establishment of the southern border and the gaining of Pacific ports for the U.S.
Westward Expansion: The movement of American settlers and territory towards the Pacific Ocean, driven by Manifest Destiny.
Nativist sentiments (Nativism): A reaction against increased immigration, promoting racial and Catholic prejudices.
Immigration (from Europe, Ireland, China): Increased population movement into the U.S. from these regions, often due to famine and poverty, which sparked nativist sentiments.
Abolitionists: Individuals or groups engaged in anti-slavery movements, advocating for the end of slavery.
Underground Railroad: A network that facilitated the escape of enslaved people, reflecting the growth of anti-slavery movements.
Compromises by Congress: Legislative efforts made by Congress to resolve conflicts predominantly related to slavery, such as the Compromise of 1850.
Election of Lincoln (1860): Abraham Lincoln's victory in the presidential election, which immediately triggered fears among slaveholders and led to secession.
Secession: The withdrawal of 11 Southern states from the Union following Lincoln's election.
Federal government expansion: The significant increase in the scope and power of the federal government, particularly observed during and after the Civil War.
Reconstruction: The period and policies post-Civil War aimed at resetting Southern governance and safeguarding the rights of newly freed individuals.
Black Codes: Legislation that emerged post-Civil War to undermine newly gained rights for African Americans, reflecting persisting systemic racism.
Civil rights: Fundamental rights emphasized and reshaped, especially after the Civil War, leading to amendments (13th, 14th, 15th) to protect African Americans.