Unit 5 1844 - 1877 Flashcards
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What was the Manifest Destiny?
The belief was that the United States had the mission and responsibility to extend its power and civilization across North America.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
Why was expansion desired during the 1840s?
Some forces that drove expansion were…
* Nationalism
* Population increase
* Rapid economic development
* Technological advances
* Reform ideals
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What led to tension between the Mexicans and Americans in Texas?
Stephen Austin had led families into Texas which led to the migration of American settlers into this new territory. Thus, not only did Americans outnumber Mexicans, but when slavery was outlawed and conversion into Roman Catholicism became mandatory, it was a no-no for Americans.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What was the Santa Anna vs Sam Houston Revolt and what was the consequence?
When General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna made himself dictator of Mexico (1834) and attempted to enforce Mexico’s laws into Texas, Sam Houston and a group of American settlers revolted and declared Texas an independent republic.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What happened at the Alamo?
When a Mexican army led by Santa Anna captured the Alamo in San Antonio, Sam Houston caught the army by surprise, captured Santa Anna, and forced the Mexicans to sign a treaty that recognized Texas as an independent republic and gave Texas all territory north of the Rio Grande. However, this treaty was REJECTED. Therefore, Texas attempted to be annexed (added) to the U.S. as a new state.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What was the Webster-Ashburton Treaty?
Open fighting had erupted on the Maine-Canadian border between rival lumbar workers best known as the Aroostook War. This was resolved by this treaty as this territory was consequently split between Maine and Canada. This treaty also settled the boundary of the Minnesota territory.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What were the two things the expansionists believed were the U.S.’s Manifest Destiny by the 1844 election?
Possessing all of Oregon and annexing Texas.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What effect did the split of the Democratic Party have on the Election of 1844? Who won this election?
The party’s Northern wing opposed annexation and wanted Martin Van Buren as president while the South favored slavery and expansion and wanted John Calhoun as president. However, James Polk, who favored Texas annexation, California acquisition, and Oregon reoccupation, was ultimately chosen as president.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
Who did the “Fifty-Four Forty or Fight” slogan appeal to?
American Westerners and Southern expansionists.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What was the result of Texas Annexation and Oregon reoccupation?
Texas was annexed and an agreement was signed with the British to divide Oregon territory at the 49th parallel.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
Who were the types of people that migrated to Oregon and California?
Fur traders, pioneers, miners, farmers, and several professionals such as business owners.
5.2 Manifest Destiny
What factors played a role in the expansion of U.S. trade?
Shipping firms established a consistent schedule for departures, the whale oil demand, improvements in ship design, the development of steamboats, and expansion of trade to Asia.
5.3 Mexican American War
What were the immediate causes of the Mexican-American War?
Initially, Mexico was not happy with the annexation of Texas. While Slidell was ordered by Polk to persuade Mexico to sell California and settle the disputed border, Polk had simultaneously sent Zachary Taylor to move his army toward the Rio Grande where Mexican armies eventually captured the army patrol. This justified Polk’s intentions of going into war.
5.3 Mexican American War
What were the consequences of the Mexican-American War?
California became an independent republic and Texas, the Mexicans were driven away from Texas, and Mexico City was captured.
5.3 Mexican American War
What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)?
Mexico recognized the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas and the U.S. took full possession of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico - the Mexican Cession, paying $15 million.
5.3 Mexican American War
What was the Wilmot Proviso?
Since the power of slavery was still an issue in the U.S. this bill was proposed to forbid slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico in an attempt to reduce Southern power. However, it was defeated in the Senate (more Southern power) twice.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What was the Ostend Manifesto?
An attempt by President Franklin Pierce to secretly buy Cuba from Spain from the Germans. Anti-slavery members of Congress were furious and forced President Pierce to drop the scheme.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What was done to prevent the British and America from building a canal in that region as a way to gain power?
Great Britain and America agreed to the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What was President Pierce still able to do even when he wasn’t allowed to buy Cuba?
He bought some land from Mexico through the Gadsden Purchase.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What were the three positions held by most people on whether to allow slavery in the Western territories?
1: The Free Soil Party, Northerners opposed allowing slavery in the Mexican Cession as well as all territory in general. #2: Southerners, viewed attempts to abolish slavery as a violation of constitutional rights to their property. #3: Popular Sovereignty: the decision to allow slavery in a territory should be decided by the vote of the people in that territory.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
Who were the candidates in the Election of 1848? Who won?
Democrats nominated Senator Cass, Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor, and the Free-Soil Party nominated Martin Van Buren. Zachary Taylor won,
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What led to the Compromise of 1850 and what did it lead to?
The Gold Rush that had led settlers into California initiated the drafting of a California Constitution that banned slavery. Because the Southerners felt that this was giving power to the North, they planned on seceding from the Union. Therefore this Compromise was made by Clay to resolve this issue. This compromise also deepened the commitment of the Northerners to save the Union.
5.4 The Compromise of 1850
What were the things that the Compromise of 1850 consisted of?
- Annex California as a free state
- Mexican Cession divided into Utah & New Mexico and popular sovereignty of slavery will take place in these territories.
- Give the land in dispute between Texas & the New Mexico territory to the new territories
- Ban slave trade in Columbia
- Adopt a new Fugitive Slave Law
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
What were the causes of migration to the U.S. by the Irish and Germans?
The Irish needed a new territory with fertile land/soil to continue their potato farming. However, the Irish faced discrimination b/c of their belief in Roman Catholicism. The Germans were going through political fragmentation in their nation and were in need of a new beginning free from the corruption of their nation.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
What was Nativism and what did it lead to?
Native-born Americans formed a hatred towards these immigrants since they were closely tied to Roman Catholicism. The Know-Nothing Party, which gained strength in the New England and Mid Atlantic states, consequently sprung from this and enforced policies that increased the time required for immigrants to attain citizenship. However Nativism faded as tensions increased between the North and South.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
How did territorial expansion lead to economic growth from the 1840s to 1857?
Factories started producting sewing machines, shoes, ready-to-wear clothes, etc… Furthermore, the inventions of the sewing machine and the telegraph helped with the production of clothes and communicatiom, respectiviely. Railroads, which emerged as America’s largest industry, promoted Western agriculture and united commerce between the Northwest and Midwest.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
Who was affected and unaffected by the Panic of 1857?
This Panic caused a decrease in prices for Midwestern agricultural products and emplyemnt in Northern cities. However, cotton prices remained high in the South, leading to the notion that their plantation economy proved that they didn’t need the North.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
What was enforced by the Fugitive Slave Law and who opposed it?
This law helped slave owners track runaway enslaved people who had escaped from the South. States in the North were forced to capture and return slaves who claimed they were free back to the South. The North hated this act and tried to protect African Americans from being returned, risking heavy penalties from the South.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
What was the Underground Railroad and what was its effect?
It was a loose network of activists that helped enslaved people escape to freedom in the North or Canada. The most famous and influential conductor of Underground Railroad was Harriet Tubman.
5.5 Sectionalism: Regional Differences
What was Uncle Tom’s Cabin?
A book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that portrayed the realities of slavery in the South as well as portryaed slave owners as evil, cruel and inhuman. It introduced many Northerners and Europeans to the horrors that slaves had to go through in the South.
