APUSH UNIT 5 part 1 (5.1-5.8)
AP U.S. History Unit 5 (1844-1877) covers a pivotal period of expansion, sectional conflict, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, fundamentally reshaping the United States.
5.1 The United States as a Growing World Power
This section introduces the concept of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the U.S. was destined by God to expand its dominion and spread democracy across the North American continent. This ideology fueled territorial expansion and diplomatic efforts.
Louisiana Purchase (1803): Though earlier, it set a precedent for large-scale territorial acquisition.
Monroe Doctrine (1823): Asserted U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere, warning European powers against further colonization or intervention.
Mexican-American War (1846-1848): Triggered by border disputes and U.S. annexation of Texas. Led to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, wherein Mexico ceded vast territories (California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming) to the U.S.
Wilmot Proviso: An unsuccessful proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico, highlighting growing sectional tensions.
5.2 Territorial and Economic Expansion
Expansion brought both economic opportunities and intensified debates over slavery.
Oregon Treaty (1846): Set the U.S.-British boundary at the 49th parallel, solidifying U.S. control of the Oregon Territory.
California Gold Rush (1849): Rapid influx of population to California, leading to its quick statehood and further exacerbating slavery debates.
Gadsden Purchase (1853): Acquired land from Mexico for the construction of a transcontinental railroad.
Economic Impact: Growth of railroads, canals, and telegraph lines connected vast regions, facilitating trade and westward migration. Regional economic differences (industrial North, agricultural South) became more pronounced.
5.3 Attempts to Resolve Sectional Disagreements
As new territories were acquired, the question of whether they would be slave or free states became the central political issue.
Missouri Compromise (1820): Maintained the balance between free and slave states by admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, and prohibiting slavery north of the 36°30′ parallel in the Louisiana Purchase territory.
Compromise of 1850: Addressed the territories gained from Mexico. Key provisions:
California admitted as a free state.
Slave trade abolished in Washington D.C.
New, stricter Fugitive Slave Act.
Popular sovereignty would decide slavery in Utah and New Mexico territories.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854):
Proposed by Stephen Douglas.
Repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing popular sovereignty to determine slavery in Kansas and Nebraska territories.
Led to "Bleeding Kansas," a period of violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers.
5.4 The Failure of Compromise
Escalating tensions and ineffective compromises pushed the nation closer to civil war.
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857):
Supreme Court ruled that African Americans, free or enslaved, were not citizens and could not sue in federal court.
Declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, stating Congress could not prohibit slavery in territories.
Further inflamed anti-slavery sentiment in the North.
John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859): Abolitionist John Brown led a raid on a federal arsenal to incite a slave rebellion. Failed, but terrified the South and intensified fears of abolitionist aggression.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858): Debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas during their Illinois senatorial campaign. Highlighted differing views on slavery, particularly the "Freeport Doctrine" (Douglas's idea that territories could effectively exclude slavery by refusing to pass laws protecting it).
5.5 Sectional Conflict: The Road to Secession
The election of 1860 served as the catalyst for secession.
Republican Party (formed 1854): Emerged from former Whigs, Free-Soilers, and anti-slavery Democrats, dedicated to preventing the expansion of slavery.
Election of 1860: Abraham Lincoln (Republican) won without a single Southern electoral vote. His platform was not to abolish slavery where it existed but to prevent its expansion.
Secession: Following Lincoln's election, South Carolina seceded in December 1860, followed by ten other Southern states, forming the Confederate States of America.
5.6 The Civil War
This section covers the major events, strategies, and impacts of the Civil War (1861-1865).
Causes: Slavery, states' rights, economic and cultural differences.
Key Battles:
Fort Sumter (1861): First shots fired, starting the war.
Antietam (1862): Bloodiest single day, led to the Emancipation Proclamation.
Gettysburg (1863): Turning point for the Union in the East.
Vicksburg (1863): Union gained control of the Mississippi River, dividing the Confederacy.
Sherman's March to the Sea (1864): Example of total war, destroying Southern infrastructure and morale.
Union Advantages: Larger population, industrial capacity, established government and army, strong navy.
Confederate Advantages: Defensive war, strong military leadership (e.g., Robert E. Lee), deeply committed populace.
Emancipation Proclamation (1863): Issued by Lincoln, declared slaves in Confederate states free. Shifted the war's purpose to include ending slavery and allowed African Americans to enlist in the Union army.
5.7 Government Policies During the Civil War
Both sides enacted significant government policies to manage the war effort.
Union Policies:
Conscription Act (1863): Draft. Led to draft riots, particularly in New York City.
Financing: Income tax, war bonds, greenbacks (paper money).
Suspension of Habeas Corpus: Lincoln suspended the writ to suppress dissent, allowing for imprisonment without trial.
Morrill Tariff Act (1861): Raised tariffs to protect Northern industry.
Homestead Act (1862): Encouraged westward settlement.
Pacific Railway Act (1862): Authorized transcontinental railroad construction.
Confederate Policies:
Similar draft laws, often with exemptions for wealthy slaveholders.
Relied on printing money (leading to inflation) and war bonds, but struggled with finances due to Union blockade.
Emphasis on states' rights hampered central government authority.
5.8 Consequences of the Civil War
The war had profound and lasting effects on American society, politics, and economics.
Abolition of Slavery: Confirmed by the 13th Amendment (1865).
Increased Federal Power: The war strengthened the national government over state governments.
Economic Impact:
North: Industrial growth spurred by war production.
South: Devastated economy, destruction of infrastructure, loss of slave labor.
Casualties: Over 600,000 deaths, making it the deadliest conflict in U.S. history.
Women's Roles: Took on new responsibilities in industries, nursing (e.g., Clara Barton and the Red Cross), and on farms.
5.9 Reconstruction (Part I)
Reconstruction (1865-1877) was the era dedicated to rebuilding the South and integrating freed slaves into society.
Presidential Reconstruction (Lincoln & Johnson)
Lincoln's 10% Plan: Lenient plan allowing Southern states to rejoin if 10% of voters took loyalty oath and accepted emancipation.
Andrew Johnson's Plan: Similar to Lincoln's, but also required wealthy planters to personally ask for pardons. Faced opposition from Radical Republicans.
Radical Reconstruction (Congressional Reconstruction)
Freedmen's Bureau (1865): Provided aid, education, and legal assistance to freed slaves and poor whites.
Civil Rights Act of 1866: Granted citizenship to African Americans and affirmed equal rights.
14th Amendment (1868): Defined citizenship, guaranteed due process and equal protection under the law to all citizens, including former slaves.
Reconstruction Acts of 1867: Divided the South into military districts, required new state constitutions guaranteeing black suffrage, and ratified the 14th Amendment.