Expansion and Sectional Crisis Study Guide

Compromise of 1850

A series of resolutions introduced by Henry Clay to seek a compromise between the North and South The compromise of 1850 meant that California would come as a free state. The south was upset about this. Slave trade is outlawed in D.C (not slavery) There was a new strict fugirive slave law imposed Utah and Next MExico seperated - popular sovereignty

John Brown

Abolitionist involved in underground railroad moved to kansas to support the antislavery cause responded to violence by pro slavery potowatomie creek massacre. He also led Harpers Ferry whihc was a planned raid on federal arsenal. He wanted to distirubute weapons to slaves. As a result Brown was hanged. The North and Souths reactions were very different. The North glorified his actions while the South were horried by them.

Democrats

Agrarian views Viewed society as a continuing conflict between "the people", farmers, planters, and workers Democrats believed in limited government Appealed to lower status baptists + Methodists Opposed tarriffs, national bank, technology, Felt that church and state should be seperate appealed to wage workers supported slavery

Bleeding Kansas

Bleeding Kansas was a mini civil war that in the United States between 1854-1861 which emerged from the debate about slavery in Kansas. The end result was that Kansas admitted to the Union as a free state. Its significance in U.S History is that it had a huge impact on the issue of slavery.

Panic of 1857

Financial crisis.

Harper's Ferry

Harper's ferry was a planned raid in 1859 on federal arsenal. It was planned by John Brown and a band of abolitionists. They formed in an attempt to start an armed slave revolt and destroy the institution of slavery. He wanted to distribute weapons to slaves. As a resulted of his failed plan he was hanged. The North and the Souths reaction differed tremendously. The North glorified Browns actions while the South was horrified by him and the Norths reaction.

Oregon Trail

In the 1840's and 1850's The Oregon trail was a trail traveled by pioneers who were in search of fertile land, that went all the way from Missouri to Oregon. It was a path to the Western areas of the United States. It could only be traveled by foots, wagon, or horseback. There were many deaths, diseases, violence, and accidents on the trail. The trip was about 2,000 miles.

Dred Scott Decision

It was a supreme court case in 1857 between Dred Scott and V. Sanford. There were nine seperate opinions on the case. Slaves were not citized they were properrt It inflamed sectional tenisons

Election of 1856

Last national election before the civil war James buchanan, John Fremont and Millard Fillmore (Democrats, Republicans, American party)

Manifest Destiny

Manifest destiny was a term coined by the some Americans believe that the country had a special mission to extend democracy, their social and economic system, economic power, and racial superiority around the globe. It was a term coined in the

How did the railroads affect sectional tensions?

Railroads were a physical manefestation of social/economic divisions. It provided many positive opportunites for the North. Railroads increased sectional tensions between the two halfs of the country. Cotton remained the nations major, export but it was no longer the nations driving economic force for American economic growth. This role was taken over by the railroads. Rail companies raised construction capital and stimulated settlements increasing business and profits Farmers along the tracks began to specialize in cash crops and market them in distant locations Once the railroad came farmers sold their crops a dollar a bushel vs less than 50 cents a bushel It stimulated the mining and iron industries 4 The North had growing wealth North surged in population The South didn't control its own shipping The South was paying more so they were becoming more resentful

Kansas Nebraska Act

The Kansas Nebraska Act was proposed by Stephen Douglas in 1854. This act repealed the Missouri Compromise, which prohibited slavery north of latitude 36-30. The Act also split Kansas and Nebraska into two separate territories. They were able to decide on whether or not to let slavery into their borders. This is an example of popular sovereignty. The results of the Kansas Nebraska Act were that both sides raced to Kansas armed and ready to fight. Northerners and Southerners were sending groups to settle the area leading to bleeding Kansas. It also upset anti-slavery forces, because many Free state and pro slavery forces flooded into Kansas to influence the decision.

Whigs

The Whigs were a political party founded by Henry Clay in 1833. They opposed the Democrats and Andrew Jackson. Some things they believed in were industry and the market. They also believed the government should protect individual rights. They viewed government power positively. Whigs also advocated a protective tariff, a national bank, and federal aid for internal improvements. They appealed to women for support and attracted high-status church born groups.

How did the Mexican American War reignite sectional tension between the North and South?

Thesis: The Mexican American War started because of the dispute between Mexican/u.s boundary . It was a brief war that had lasting consequences. The U.S was able to complete its Manifest destiny, but couldn't dodge reigniting the sectional tensions between the North and the South. Polk sends u.s troops to u.s/mexico border to promote all attack 2 fronts to the war -California -Mexican/Texas boundary California declares independence in 1847 Treaty of Guadalupe -peace treaty signed between the u.s and the Mexican republic -Texas independence confirmed -boundary between u.s and mexico -Rio grande -U.s gained territory like Texas, Colorado, Arizona etc. + California Lasting effects on Mexico loss of life, economic ruin, and huge damage to property 1848 manifest destiny achieved. New territory won The U.S gained huge pieces of land -how do you organize it? -territory should be slave or free? -how do you treat people within the new territory -Native Americans, Mexican Americans, African Americans Debate over territory causes political division Wilmot proviso- ban slavery -extend Missouri compromise line to pacific ocean - splits up California -popular sovereignty

Election of 1848

This election was toward the end of the Mexican American war. It included the candidates Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Lewis Cass, William Butler, Martin Van Buren, and Charles Adams. -Slavery issue -People went to the electoral system to decide the matter

Uncle Tom's Cabin

Uncle Tom's Cabin was an anti-slavery novel, published in 1852 by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Some people say it helped lead to the Civil War. Harriet Beecher Stowe was from Maine and never had been exposed to slavery. It was banned in the South. The book help Northerners see how unjust slavery was.

Popular Sovereignty

popular sovereignty is ruled by the people. People living in a state can determine if they want that state to be slave or free

Secession

the withdrawal of eleven southern states from the Union in 1860, leading to the Civil War.