APUSH SAQ Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Explain the POV presented in the painting 'After the Sale'.

Shaming white slave owners; artist is against slavery; slave owner's refusal to see moral injustice; Eyre Crowe documents a real scene in Richmond, VA.

Explain one historical event or concept that supports the viewpoint in 'After the Sale'.

Compromise of 1850 abolishes the buying and selling of slaves in Washington, D.C., but the South continues to buy and sell slaves, which is a moral wrong.

Explain one historical event or concept that contradicts the viewpoint in 'After the Sale'.

'Positive good' argument that slavery is a benefit to society; believed black people were more civilized under the 'paternal care' of their master; accepted mostly by white slaveholders, e.g., John C. Calhoun.

Explain a specific action taken by Northern Abolitionists during 1820-1860.

Widespread literature such as 'The Liberator' by William Lloyd Garrison (1831) and 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1852). Signup and view all the answers

Explain another specific action taken by Northern Abolitionists.

The 1833 American Anti-Slavery Society advocated for 'personal liberty laws' to protect fugitive slaves in the North. Signup and view all the answers

Explain an action taken by Southern States to counter Northern Abolitionists.

The 1850 Fugitive Slave Act, which allowed for the seizure and return of fugitive slaves in the North. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the difference between moderate and radical abolitionists.

Moderates preferred slow change and political methods, while radicals wanted immediate change and were willing to use violence. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific example of an action taken by a moderate abolitionist.

Frederick Douglass published his newspaper 'The North Star'. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific example of an action taken by a radical abolitionist.

William Lloyd Garrison helped form the American Anti-Slavery Society and criticized the Constitution as a pro-slavery document. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the POV represented in a painting about westward expansion.

Westward expansion was seen as appealing, reflecting 'manifest destiny' and the belief in American exceptionalism. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one historical event or concept that supports the POV of westward expansion.

'American exceptionalism' justified the belief that the U.S. is different and superior, supporting annexation of western states. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one historical event or concept that contradicts the POV of westward expansion.

The Whig Party opposed expansion, believing it too challenging for the U.S. to control and opposed annexing Texas. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the Compromise of 1850 represents a turning point in relations between North and South.

It introduced 'popular sovereignty', allowing states to decide on slavery, heightening Southern fears of abolition. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one piece of specific evidence from the period that supports the turning point represented by the Compromise of 1850.

California was admitted as a free state, upsetting the balance of power in the Senate and unifying slave states against the North. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why the 1846 Wilmot Proviso is not as persuasive as the Compromise of 1850.

The Wilmot Proviso was ignored and quickly repealed, with no significant social, economic, or political change. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the context of Abraham Lincoln's proposed Spot Resolutions.

Lincoln opposed the Mexican-American War and challenged President Polk's justification, questioning the bloodshed involved. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific example of historical evidence that supports Lincoln's viewpoint on the Mexican-American War.

'Civil Disobedience' by Henry David Thoreau, advocating non-violent resistance against the war. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific example of historical evidence that disagrees with Lincoln's Spot Resolutions.

Polk's support for the war was driven by his desire to fulfill 'manifest destiny' and military action was initiated. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific cause of the Mexican-American War.

John Slidell's attempt to purchase land from Mexico was refused, prompting military action by Polk. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the short-term effect of the Mexican-American War.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 resulted in territorial gains and fueled debates over slavery in newly acquired lands. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the long-term effect of the Mexican-American War.

The Compromise of 1850 created a fragile balance between North and South, leading to increased sectional tensions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Missouri requested to join as a slave state, which would upset the balance; Missouri was made a slave state with Maine as a free state. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Compromise of 1850.

California entered as a free state, slave trade ended in D.C., popular sovereignty implemented in the West, and the Fugitive Slave Act was enacted. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 exemplify continuity or change.

Both attempts show efforts to maintain balance between slave and free states amid rising tensions. Signup and view all the answers

Explain a POV about Territorial Expansion.

Concern over the expansion of slavery into new states and areas like Kansas, Cuba, and Central America. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one development from 1844-1856 that led to concerns about Territorial Expansion.

The 1854 Kansas-Nebraska Act enabled territories above the Missouri Compromise line to decide on slavery. Signup and view all the answers

Explain one specific historical example that supports the concerns about Territorial Expansion.

'Bleeding Kansas' reflects the violent conflicts in Kansas Territory over the slavery issue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Abolitionism and Its Context

Abolitionists opposed slavery and sought to end it through various methods, including literature and political activism.
The first visual criticism comes from Eyre Crowe's painting "After the Sale," depicting the moral injustices of slavery.

Perspectives on Slavery

Crowe's painting shows the shame of white slave owners and their refusal to face the reality of their actions.
The Compromise of 1850 attempted to address the issue of slavery but continued the moral issues surrounding slave trade in the South.
Contrarily, some, like John C. Calhoun, believed slavery was a "positive good" beneficial to society and that enslaved people were better under "paternal care."

Actions of Northern Abolitionists

Significant anti-slavery literature such as "The Liberator" (1831) and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1852) spread awareness and catalyzed change.
The 1833 American Anti-Slavery Society worked for personal liberty laws to protect fugitive slaves, counteracting the Fugitive Slave Act.

Southern Responses to Abolition

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 mandated the return of escaped slaves, erasing safe havens in the North.
Solomon Northup's experience underscores the dangers faced by fugitive slaves despite Northern opposition to slavery.

Moderate vs. Radical Abolitionists

Moderates favored gradual change through political means, whereas radicals like Garrison pushed for immediate abolition.
Frederick Douglass, a free black man, published "The North Star" to advocate for abolition, reaching a wide audience.

Historical Events Influencing Expansionism

Westward expansion was often justified by the notion of "manifest destiny," suggesting it was America's divine right to expand.
American exceptionalism promoted the idea that the U.S. was unique, launching efforts to annex territories.

Compromise of 1850 and Sectional Tensions

The Compromise introduced popular sovereignty, allowing states to choose their status as slave or free, heightening fears in the South about slavery's future.
California's admission as a free state disrupted the Senate balance, leading to deeper sectional divisions.

Political Context of the Mexican-American War

The war's backdrop includes John Slidell's failed attempts to purchase land from Mexico, which escalated to military conflict.
Lincoln's Spot Resolutions questioned the war's justification, echoing Thoreau's advocacy of civil disobedience.

The Missouri Compromise and Long-term Impacts of Key Legislation

The Missouri Compromise balanced the admission of Missouri as a slave state with Maine as a free state, maintaining Senate power.
Events like the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 fostered a territorially volatile environment leading to "Bleeding Kansas," highlighting increasing violence over slavery issues.

Thematic Continuities and Changes in U.S. History

Both the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850 are indicative of ongoing attempts to manage the balance between slave and free states.
Political maneuvers frequently revolved around maintaining this balance amid rising tensions and moral debates concerning slavery's expansion into new territories.

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Test your knowledge on key concepts and perspectives from AP U.S. History with these focused flashcards. Each card presents significant historical events and interpretations, particularly surrounding the moral implications of slavery. Perfect for preparing for SAQ responses in your APUSH exams.