US test dos

31 Define: 54 40 or Fight!

"54-40 or Fight" was an aggressive slogan adopted in the Oregon boundary dispute, a dispute over where the border between Canada and Oregon should be drawn at 54' 40" latitude. This was between Britain and the US and ultimately the US made a compromise under Polk and conformed rather easily, which made the people unhappy with that and North to Britain & South to America.

8. What made the south unique and less developed from the rest of the country (provide 4 examples)

The south did not experience urban growth or industrialize, with few large cities mostly on the periphery. Also, the presence of slavery meant that there was little room for immigrants to come seeking work. Moreover, there were railroads, but mostly short lines to bring cotton out from the interior of the South to coastal ports. Not for transportation. Also there was a presence of farmers who relied heavily on home production to meet their needs and also becasue of the prevelance of slavery, there was little market for manufactured goods and the market revolution did not have a widespread effect.

What united the South together as a region?

The south was United together by the fear that the federal government would outlaw slavery, a shared culture of white supremacy (even among non slave owners, which was most people), and strong code of honor, and a shared culture of domesticity for women.

Denmark Vesey event

1822 - Charleston, SC, Vesey was a carpenter and bought his freedom from participating in an illegal lottery. He became a preacher at the African Methodist Episcapel Church, a free black church, and started to preach liberation theology and equality. AME was growing, with over 4,000 members. Began to plot a rebellion, seize arsenal and guard house, kill the governor and bad white people and blacks who were working for/with the whites and then go to Haiti. Gullah Jack, a preacher and shaman/conjuror, was enlisted to help and got a lot of people to sign on because they believed he could protect them with his powers. July 14th, 1822 was the set date, Bastille day. In june a slave got nervous and ratted them out. A lot of people were arrested and thought they were tortured to give up more names, they never did. Vesey and 50 others were hanged. Whites used this as an excuse to raze AME, which didn't die, rather went underground. Vesey was sighted as inspiration for Walker, Douglasss, and others who preached liberation theology.

Nat Turner event

1831 - South Hampton County, Virginia, Turner could read and write and was a preacher in his community. Ran away in 1821 and willingly came back 30 days later after supposedly getting a vision from god to return. Had lots of visions which he interpreted as killing his oppressors. Solar eclipse (august 7th, 1831) was his sign to begin. Small group attacked his master's home and killed all white people in the area, at least 55 people. State militia was called. Late august, people were caught, but Turner himself wasn't caught until Oct 30th. White mobs used killings as an excuse to kill free blacks who weren't even connected. Turner was hanged and skinned. Only record of his life was his confession to a physician, Thomas Gray who was a slave owner, in jail, so people question it on the grounds of bias. Laws were passed afterwards, repressive policies on slaves and free blacks, curfew, no black preachers, no congregation, slave patrols, etc. Strong blow to the population.

What percentage of white southerners were non slaveholding?

75 percent were non-slaveholding

What values were respected in the Old South

A paternalistic society where the men had a obligation to protect the slaves, the children, and the wives. People would die over this and to a Southern man the most important thing was honor - really pride and reputation. Violence was greatly present in the South and defending one's name and family and reputation were of great value. They were very barbaric and when fighting, eye gouging often took place. Violence was a fact of life. The murder rate in the South was 10 times in South.

20. What is abolitionism? Describe the early history of the movement.

Abolitionism was the movement to end slavery and started mainly in the 1830s. The abolitionist movement was influenced by the second great awakening as the desire to remove earthly evils and sins was brought to light. When European countries such as Britan(1833), as well as the countries of Latin America, abolished the slave trade, the abolitionist movement was greatly influenced.

2. What impact did the Revolutionary War have on northern states regarding slavery?

After 1776, the American Revolution, the people in the North didnt need slaves for argicultural economy and felt the enslaved Africans were treated unfairly and abolitionists movements arose. Saw similarities between how Britain treated the colonies and how slave owners treated slaves.

21. What was colonization? Why was this idea appealing to some antislavery people?

Colonization was the idea that former slaves would be freed and sent to Africa and this was popular among abolitionists to prevent the repercussion of "holding a wolf by its ears." This was appealing to anti slavery people because it would not only free slaves, but solve the US having to intregrate black people into the economy, which many thought was impossible. This was set up in Liberia, but this was ultimately a failure as there was nothing there for them and they were very oppressive and were cruel by enslaving people there I think.

30-Who were the candidates/issues in the 1844 election?

Democrat dude James K. Polk vs Whig dude Henry Clay were the candidates of the 1844 election. James was a big believer of expansion and had lots of immigrants on his side. One of the most important issues involved in the election was the question of whether America should annex the Republic of Texas. Henry Clay gave mixed signals and was unclear which led to him losing lots of support.

17. What explains the unusual family dynamics of slave life?

Even balance of male/female slaves meant that families were frequent. Also, marriages often lasted for life, save for when separations happened. Threat of separation or being sold away always loomed, horrific, resulting in many more female-headed households than in white society. Gender roles were roughly equal, as there was a shared powerlessness. Often, masters would rape their female slaves and father children born into slavery themselves, which created unusual family dynamics as well.

Gabriel Prosser event

Gabriel Prosser had skills as a blacksmith which mean he was loaned off. He could make some money of his own and saw other people. Could associate with poor whites and other slaves. He heard about the revolutionary war, Haiti, radical working class whites. In Sept 1799, Prosser stole a pig and didn't get executed because he could read, but he went to jail and came out with radical beliefs that if slaves rose up and join forces with the free whites and native americans, they could take richmond and governor hostage. There was a storm the night they were going to do it, August 30th, 1800, and two slaves got nervous and blabbed. State militia rounded them up and Prosser evaded capture for a little while, but was turned in by two slaves who wanted the $300 reward (only got $50). Prosser was hanged with 26 others.

5. Discuss how cotton came to dominate the southern economy (provide percentages)

In the 19th century, cotton became the worlds major crop produced by slave labor in the US cotton production greatly increased, especially with the cotton gin being invented. Since factories and industrialization was rapidly growing, so was cotton as raw materials to be manufactured in factories. 3/4th of the worlds cotton supply came from the southern United States. During the eve of the civil war, cotton represented over half of the value of American exports. By 1860, the economic value of slaves was more than the value of the entire nations factories, railroads, and banks put together. Moreover, its important to note that Cotton production doubles every decade to meet demand.

24. What was the northern view of abolitionism in the 1830s and 1840s? Why was the movement so unpopular in the North?

The northern radicals thought of slavery us horrible and aginast the Bible. However, many were unaware of the brutalities that went on and the inhumane conditions.

1. Discuss the history of slavery in the Americas from 1619 until the 1770s.

It all started in Jamestown when 20 slaves were brought in the British colony from Portuguese ships. In the 17th century, the Eurpeons turned to African slaves for labor as it was cheaper and more labor productive. Then over 600 million people were brought in from Africa as slaves. In the 17th and 18th century enslaved Africans worked mainly on Tobacco, Rice, and Indigo plantations, mostly in Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia. In the north, slaves were mostly working in non-agricultural fields like mining, maritime, and domestic work. By 1660, the concept of chattel slavery (servitude for life; children are also slaves) was established, and slave codes that limited the travel and congregation of slaves - as well as established hard punishments for any accused of crimes - had been established. By 1750, slavery legal in all 13 colonies. By 1770, slaves constituted roughly 20% of the American population. Abolition of slavery in all Northern states by 1800 took place as slavery was viewed as "necessary evil" by many. Slavery propped up the entire economy of the United States.

4. What role did the cotton gin play in the spread of slavery

It greatly spread slavery and increased production of cotton because it greatly cut the amount of time it took to remove seeds from cotton. As demand for cotton increased, plantation owners were thus able to keep up, and cotton plantations became very profitable. As a result, slavery spread.

25-What is Manifest Destiny? What were the motivations?

Manifest Destiny was the goal and duty of expansion westward and how the white man would inevitably expand his dominion and spread democracy and capitalism to the entirety of America. Moreover, Christian values, the desire to transform the West into an agrarian society, and a sense of divine obligation to convert the wicked peoples of the West all came into play with manifest destiny. Isn't that a song also? Maybe that's just me.

12. Why was the South, even the nonslaveholders, united behind slavery?

Nonslaveholders were united behind slavery becasue their way of life was slavery even if they weren't slaveholders themselves, and they wanted to maintain white supremacy. They were united and brought together in their racism. The majority of Southerners were also poor, which meant that the elimination of slavery threatened to leave them at the bottom of the pecking order. An attack on slavery was an attack on Southerners as slavery was their whole lifestyle. Though only roughly 25 percent of people in the South were slave owners, many nonowners thought that they could move up socially by owning slaves if they ever got the chance. Ultimately, most defended a system that didn't help them.

29-What was Oregon Fever?

Oregon Fever was the desire to move westward into the Oregon Territory as a result of the panic of 1837 and the attractiveness of rich farmland that could be cultivated year-round with the awesome soil.

33-Why did Polk want to provoke Mexico into a fight?

President James K. Polk wanted to provoke war with Mexico so that the U.S. could acquire with relative ease the desired western territory of California. He wanted to try and justify all the land he was taking and wanted.

26-How did Texas get settled by Americans? What problems did the Texans have with Mexico?

Texans got settled by Americans because they were invited to come to tame the Indians and benefit the economy. Then rebels broke away from Mexico and requested that America annex them cause they wanted slavery. Texas faced tensions with Mexico as Americans supported slavery in Texas and Mexico contradicted that and were not benfiting economically as well.

23. Describe the divisions that existed within the abolitionist movement.

That should slavery be ended right away or gradually. Also, womens rights in regards to slaves and do they have a place in the abolitionist movement. Another division was over if violence was necessary to end slavery and for this debate unfortunately it was necessary.

27-What was the Battle of the Alamo?

The Battle of the Alamo was an important battle between Texas and Mexico when Mexican soldiers stormed the Alamo. Consequently, Mexican capture of a Texan fort called the Alamo happened. Forces were sent by Mexican leaders and were successful, but not for long as Texas gained its independence after building up resistance.

14. What justifications did the South use to say that slavery was moral?

The South uses White Supremacy as a justification, which means that Black people are inherently inferior to white people. Also, they used Biblical passages that slaves must obey their masters. Some argued that slavery was essential to human progress and looked to the slaves of Rome and Greece as the reason they succeeded. Furthermore, an argument was made that without slaves, no ability to do "civilized" pursuits like arts, sciences, etc. Also, some though of slavery as "modern" and others argued that slavery was necessary to guarantee equality for whites by preventing the growth of a class doomed to a life of unskilled labor. Lastly, some belived slavery "Liberated" whites from "low, menial jobs" like factory labor or domestic service performed by Northern wage laborers That the Bible says a servant must serve their master. (Pg. 403) in the pro slavery argument.

36-What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo? What were the long term implications of the Mexican War?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo gave up California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, most of Arizona and Colorado, and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming to the US for 15 mil. The Mexican War inspired the events leading up to the Civil War. It also represented the increased American resentment of Mexicans

28-Why did the US hesitate to annex Texas after it won its independence?

The US hesitated to annex Texas after it won its independence because Mexico threatened to declare war against America if it did annex Texas. More improtantanly though there was a question and huge debate of slavery and Texas would come in as a slave state, so for the time being Texas annexation was put on hold.

35-Define: Wilmot Proviso. What issues did the Mexican War bring to the surface?

The Wilmot Proviso was that no slavery should be in the gain land. It declared that they would be banned forever in all territories acquired as a result of the Mexican-American War. However, this never passed and the issue of should slavery be in the new states lingered.

34-What were the main events in the Mexican War?

The main events of the Mexican War were sending troops to undisputed land, faking an attack to justify war/expansion, capture of San Francisco and Monterey, California, Blockade of Veracruz, Mexico, Texas borders redefined to the Rio Grande, and American troops besieging Mexico City. Then the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is made.

11. What 4 groups of whites existed in the south. Describe each in detail.

There was 75% "non slave holders" whites: 12.5 % owned 1-4 slaved, 5.5 percent owned 5-9, 4 percent owned 10-19 slaves, 3 % owned 20 plus slaves. This was called the Planter Elite and they made up 5 percent. Power and influence of the Planter class or Aristocracy - they were often the one in government positions and were often connected to their local communities by blood. Bought food from free farmers for their big plantations. Sold their cotton to professionals. Provided jobs, such as an overseer, to poor whites. 0.1% of white people in 1860 owned 100+ slaves. 6.6% owned 10-99 slaves. The Planter class was 20+ slaves and there were about 40,000 families in it. Then you have smaller Farmer slave owners and that made up 20 %. Also, Yeomans, who made up 65 % and had about 100 acres of land. Yeoman were insulted and called white trash. They were by the Appalachian mountains and were called Mountain whites and they were very poor white people in the South. The mountain whites were mainly known for opposing slavery and were the only white group in the South to do so. They argued that the majority was poor and stuck while the ultra rich have 99 percent of the wealth. The counter is that they could eventually rise up with upward mobility.

16. Why did the condition of slaves vary so considerably from place to place?

They varied because the slave owner had the power to do what they wanted. Since they owned the slaves, they could treat them almost however they wanted. They couldn't kill them, but could get pretty close. Some owner were nicer than others, but slavery not matter what extent of cruelty is horrible and incredibly inhumane. Also, where slavery was had an effect: with urban city slaves they had much more leeway and were treated better, whereas slaves on plantations in the Deep South faced horrible working condtions.

32-What were the main issues facing President Polk?

They were territorial expansion, slavery, banking, and the tariff. Mainly thought was the issue of slavery in the new lands that the US got from Mexico.

15. Describe the southern code of honor:

This code of honor was Southern code of Honor: a paternalistic society where the men had a obligation to protect the slaves, the children, and the wives. This code would die over this and to a Southern man the most important thing was honor or really pride and reputation. Violence was greatly present in the South. They were very barbaric and when fighting, eye gouging often took place. Violence was a fact of life. The murder rate in the South was 10 times that of the North. As a result of this code, women were expected to be weak and dependent.

18. Name the 3 main attempted slave rebellions? Why was violent rebellion so rare?

Three of the best known in the United States during the 19th century are the revolts by Gabriel Prosser in Virginia in 1800, Denmark Vesey in Charleston, South Carolina in 1822, and Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1831 and also the Stono Rebellion, 1739. The Stono Rebellion was the largest slave revolt ever staged in the 13 colonies. Forms of slave resistance - culture/language/family (staying human in a institution which was supposed to dehumanize them), escape (assistance was not widespread, but underground railroad did exist to help, this was minority), stealing (food), work slow down/sabatouge, armed resistance (also rare). Whites could only push their slaves so far, it was a dependent relationship, a horrible one, but they each relied on each other in a few ways. Reasons why there were few armed rebellions - people didn't have the resources for it since the whites had the guns, fear, they are isolated and can't congregate to communicate or organize, there was a complex system in place to stamp out conspiracies and people snitched so they wouldn't be killed for knowing about a rebellion and not saying anything about it, they didn't have any allies and the working class couldn't join them. Nat Turner event - 1831 - South Hampton County, Virginia, Turner could read and write and was a preacher in his community. Ran away in 1821 and willingly came back 30 days later after supposedly getting a vision from god to return. Had lots of visions which he interpreted as killing his oppressors. Solar eclipse (august 7th, 1831) was his sign to begin. Small group attacked his master's home and killed all white people in the area, at least 55 people. State militia was called. Late august, people were caught, but Turner himself wasn't caught until Oct 30th. White mobs used killings as an excuse to kill free blacks who weren't even connected. Turner was hanged and skinned. Only record of his life was his confession to a physician, Thomas Gray who was a slave owner, in jail, so people question it on the grounds of bias. Laws were passed afterwards, repressive policies on slaves and free blacks, curfew, no black preachers, no congregation, slave patrols, etc. Strong blow to the population. Denmark Vesey event - 1822 - Charleston, SC, Vesey was a carpenter and bought his freedom from participating in an illegal lottery. He became a preacher at the African Methodist Episcapel Church, a free black church, and started to preach liberation theology and equality. African Methodist Episcapel was growing, with over 4,000 members. Began to plot a rebellion, seize arsenal and guard house, kill the governor and bad white people and blacks who were working for/with the whites and then go to Haiti. Gullah Jack, a preacher and shaman/conjuror, was enlisted to help and got a lot of people to sign on because they believed he could protect them with his powers. July 14th, 1822 was the set date, Bastille day. In june a slave got nervous and ratted them out. A lot of people were arrested and thought they were tortured to give up more names, they never did. Vesey and 50 others were hanged. Whites used this as an excuse to raze African Methodist Episcapel, which didn't die, rather went underground. Vesey was sighted as inspiration for Walker, Douglasss, and others who preached liberation theology. Gabriel Prosser event - Gabriel Prosser had skills as a blacksmith which mean he was loaned off. He could make some money of his own and saw other people. Could associate with poor whites and other slaves. He heard about the revolutionary war, Haiti, radical working class whites. In Sept 1799, Prosser stole a pig and didn't get executed because he could read, but he went to jail and came out with radical beliefs that if slaves rose up and join forces with the free whites and native americans, they could take richmond and governor hostage. There was a storm the night they were going to do it, August 30th, 1800, and two slaves got nervous and blabbed. State militia rounded them up and Prosser evaded capture for a little while, but was turned in by two slaves who wanted the $300 reward (only got $50). Prosser was hanged with 26 others.

What forms of passive slave resistance existed?

To reinforce: forms of slave resistance - culture/language/family (staying human in a institution which was supposed to dehumanize them), escape (assistance was not widespread, but underground railroad did exist to help, this was minority), stealing (food), work slow down/sabatouge, armed resistance (also rare). Whites could only push their slaves so far, it was a dependent relationship, a horrible one, but they each relied on each other in a few ways.

3. What is the distinction between the Upper South and Deep South?

Upper South and Deep South are geographic descriptors for how far into the South a state was. The Deep South had only a few free Black people. The Upper South had the vast majority of free Black people and oftentimes worked for farmers making a wage. More diversified economy in the upper south. Center for Second Middle Passage. Upper South more involved in transporting slaves and deeper South in slavery and cotton production. Deep South were largely slave plantations, eventually majority cotton. Less diverse economy. Lots of slaves worked in the Tabaco industry in the upper south and ironworks as well. Also, work in the Deep South area, like task labor from the colonial era, where slaves would have tasks in malaria swamps and difficult labor. After they did their task at their own pace, they could do what they wanted for the rest of their day, like hunt or fish or garden. Furthermore, another difference was that the Deep South was far more regulated, whereas the upper south was less regulated. Cotton was grown a ton in the South on the Black Belt.

7. What is meant by SLAVERY=SOUTH. Be specific

What is meant it that slavery was the backbone of the entire way of life in the South. Their entire existence, business, livelihood, and way of life revolved around slavery. Even those who did not own slaves felt a link in the South to white supremacy and that way of life. Slavery was part many aspects of the South: the cultural life, laws, lively hood, and a huge chunk of the economy.

22. Who was William Lloyd Garrison? What were his ideas?

William Lloyd Garrison was a very radical abolitionist. Garrison published the first anti-slavery newspaper. He founded The Liberator, which was an abolitionist newspaper in Boston 1831. He believed in immediate emancipation of slaves and civil equality for black people.