PEDLIGS quarter 1
Fugitive Slave Act
(1850) Basically states that slaves are slaves anywhere they go, has no justice, and could be captured/brought back to their masters. Northerners could also be fined if found harboring and saving slaves.
Compromise of 1850
- Cali joined USA as a free state - New Mexico & Utah has no slave states - Slave trade abolished in Washington, DC - Fugitive Slave Act
36°30'
A circle of latitude; an imaginary line running around the earth, connecting all the places whose position is along that line. Anywhere north of the line a free state.
Formation of the Republican Party
A coalition of anti-slavery Whigs & Free soil Democrats opposes to the Kansas-Nebraska act, submitted to congress in January 1854.
3/5 Clause/Compromise
A compromise between the Northern states not wanting slaves counted, and Southern states wanting all slaves counted, when it came to determining a state's total population.
Tarring and feathering
A form of torture/public humiliation where subject is covered in boiling tar and feathers.
Referendum
A public vote held on a specific issue. States held this to secede from the union.
Constitution of the confederate states
A ratified constitution, much like the US constitution, but it protected rights such as slavery.
Bleeding Kansas
A series of violent political confrontations in the US between 1854 & 1861 involving anti-slavery Free-Staters and pro-slavery Border Ruffians in Kansas.
Free-Soil Party
A short-lived political party in the US that opposed expansion of slavery.
Dred Scott v. Sanford
A slave went to court because he demanded US citizenship and freedom after living in free territories. Supreme Court ruled that black Americans weren't citizens and weren't people. Caused uproar.
Jefferson Davis
A soldier and slave owner, Democrat. Appointed provisional president of the confederacy (states that seceded from the Union.)
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Abolitionist and author of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
John Brown
An abolitionist that led the attack on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry in Virginia.
William Seward
An abolitionist who was appointed secretary of state in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet. Worked closely with Lincoln in war.
Wilmot Proviso
An amendment proposed by David Wilmot to ban slavery in territory acquired from Mexico.
Uncle Tom's Cabin
An anti-slavery book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, centered on the cruel realities of slavery. Brought more awareness to slavery.
Freeport Doctrine
Articulated by Stephen Douglas at second Lincoln-Douglas debate. Stated that people of a state or territory should have the right to vote for its slave or free status. Compromise Douglas came up with Lincoln.
Stephen Douglas
Democratic Party nominee for president in 1860. Supporter of the Union, married to slave owner. Advocate for popular sovereignty.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government is able to veto/amend acts/decisions made by other branches.
Federal government
Government that exists within an established territory & governed through common insitutions with overlapping/shared powers, prescribed by a constitution.
Marital law
In emergency situations, leaders can sometimes impose marital law in designated areas. This means that the military authorities rule over the area in accordance with military law.
Annex
Incorporating a territory into an existing political entity, such as a country, state, etc.
Free trade
International trade that's left to run its course according to market forces rather than being manipulated through tariffs, quotas, or other restrictions.
Abraham Lincoln
Lawyer, president, republican. Preserved union and emancipated slaves.
1860 election
Lincoln won election, which surprised many. Southern citizens were certain he'd outlaw slavery and decided to act immediately by seceding.
Raid on Harper's Ferry
Oct. 16, 1859, 22 m'en attacked US Army munitions depot in hopes to rise against slave owners.
Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
Passed by Congress. Allowed people of Kansas and Nebraska popular sovereignty.
James Polk
President in 1845 - Keen expansionist, believed in "Manifest Destiny", and promised to annex Texas.
Naval blockade (of confederate states)
Preventing ships from entering or leaving a certain area. Lincoln announced a naval blockade of the confederate states, which had begun the Civil War.
John Bell
Senator of Tennessee. Vigorously opposed Mexican war policy, voted against compromise of 1850, voted against admitting Kansas as a slave state.
Separation of Powers
Separate branches of government are given separate powers that other branches have no control over.
Southern States' Secession
Southern states scared of Lincoln's presidency, thought he'd abolish slavery. Southern Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas seceded from US.
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Stephen Douglas & Abraham Lincoln debated on the judgement of Dred Scott case, and whether each individual state should decide to be free/slave.
Tariffs
Taxes/duties paid on certain or imported goods. More expensive to consumers.
Popular Sovereignty
The ability of a state/territory to decide for themselves whether they'd be slave or free state/territory. Voting.
Congress
The legislative branch of the US government. Made of elected members and divided into 2 chambers - senate & House of Representatives.
Fort Sumter
The location in Charleston, SC where the first battle of the Civil War began on April 12, 1861. Historical site.
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Treaty signed Feb. 2, 1848 ended the Mexican-American war. USA gained 2 territories and established Rio Grande as the boundary between Texas and Mexico.
