APUSH Unit 5 Review Flashcards

John Tyler, the 10th President of the United States, served from 1841 to 1845, succeeding William Henry Harrison after his untimely death. He oversaw the annexation of Texas, a key expansionist move, and faced opposition within the Whig Party for his policies.

James K. Polk, the 11th President, passionately believed in Manifest Destiny, a philosophy that promoted U.S. expansion westward. During his term, Texas was admitted as the 28th state, solidifying his pro-expansionist agenda. He was nicknamed "Young Hickory" due to his association with Andrew Jackson, a prominent figure known for his strong leadership.

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President, led the nation through the tumultuous Civil War. He is renowned for issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared freedom for slaves in Confederate states. His tragic assassination by John Wilkes Booth on April 15, 1865, marked a pivotal moment in American history.

Franklin Pierce became the 14th President of the United States. His support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed residents to decide whether to permit slavery in their territories, significantly diminished his popularity in the North. This controversial act sparked fierce debate surrounding slavery and escalated tensions between the North and the South.

Millard Fillmore succeeded Zachary Taylor as the 13th President after Taylor's death. He played a crucial role in enacting the Compromise of 1850, a set of laws aimed at resolving disputes between the North and South regarding slavery in new territories. Notably, he opposed the Fugitive Slave Act, a controversial component of the compromise.

The Caroline incident, which involved the raid of a ship by Canadian militia, and the Creole slave ship incident, where enslaved people successfully rebelled and reached British territory, exemplified the rising tensions between the United States and Britain. These events highlighted the contentious issue of slavery and its impact on international relations during the 19th century.

The Aroostook War, also known as the "Lumber Jack War," was a border dispute between Maine and Canada over control of the timber-rich Aroostook region. The conflict, though brief and non-violent, brought about the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, effectively settling the border dispute and alleviating tensions.

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty, signed in 1842, resolved several outstanding territorial disputes between the U.S. and Britain. Notably, it established the final border between Maine and Canada, effectively ending the "Lumber Jack War," and addressed other boundary issues in the North American region.

The Compromise of 1850 aimed to quell tensions between the North and South over slavery. It admitted California as a free state, strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act, and allowed territories to decide their slavery status through popular sovereignty. However, it failed to completely resolve the contentious issue of slavery, which continued to divide the nation.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 sought to address the growing tension over slavery by allowing settlers in Kansas and Nebraska to determine whether to permit slavery through popular sovereignty. However, this approach fueled further conflict, as pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions clashed violently in "Bleeding Kansas," highlighting the deep divisions over slavery.

The Wilmot Proviso, proposed by David Wilmot in 1846, aimed to prohibit slavery in any territory acquired from Mexico after the Mexican-American War. Although it never became law, the Wilmot Proviso became a symbol of the growing divide between the North and the South over the expansion of slavery.

Harriet Tubman, a prominent abolitionist, played a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses aiding enslaved people escape to freedom in the North. Her bravery and dedication made her a symbol of hope and resistance in the struggle against slavery.

John Brown, a radical abolitionist, was known for his violent acts against slavery. He was involved in the Pottawatomie Massacre, where five pro-slavery settlers were killed, and the raid on Harpers Ferry, where he attempted to seize the federal arsenal. His actions, although controversial, fueled the debate over slavery and its consequences.

The Republican Party emerged in 1854 as a significant political force opposing the spread of slavery. It gained considerable momentum, rapidly becoming a powerful force in national politics. Characterized as the first truly sectional party, the Republican Party challenged the Democratic Party's dominance and played a critical role in the lead-up to the Civil War.

The Panic of 1857 was a severe economic downturn triggered by overspeculation in the economy. The economic crisis disproportionately affected the North, leading to unemployment, bankruptcies, and a widespread sense of economic instability. It further heightened tensions between the North and the South.

The Southern economy was heavily reliant on cotton, playing a central role in the region's wealth and international trade. Cotton constituted about three-quarters of U.S. exports during this period, making the South a major player in the global cotton market. However, this reliance also contributed to the South's economic vulnerability and dependence on slavery.

The Morrill Act of 1862 played a significant role in promoting education by awarding federal land grants to states for the establishment of agricultural and mechanical colleges. This act paved the way for the development of land-grant colleges, institutions that continue to play a vital role in education and research.

The attack on Fort Sumter, a federal fort in Charleston, South Carolina, by Confederate forces on April 12, 1861, marked the beginning of the Civil War. This event served as a pivotal moment that pushed the United States into a devastating conflict that divided the nation and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate states would be free. This pivotal document was a turning point in the Civil War, transforming the conflict from a fight to preserve the Union to a war to end slavery.

The Freedman's Bureau, established in 1865, was a federal agency tasked with helping newly freed slaves transition to freedom. The Bureau provided assistance in education, employment, healthcare, and legal matters, offering crucial support to emancipated individuals.

Black Codes were laws enacted in Southern states after the Civil War that aimed to restrict the rights of Black people. These codes severely curtailed their freedom and mobility, posing significant challenges to their ability to exercise their newly acquired civil rights.

The Ku Klux Klan emerged as a violent white supremacist group in the post-Civil War South, specifically targeting Black people and their allies. Its members carried out acts of terror and intimidation, ultimately aiming to suppress Black people's rights and maintain white supremacy.

The Dred Scott decision, issued by the Supreme Court in 1857, declared that enslaved people were property, not citizens, and had no standing to sue in federal court. It also nullified the Missouri Compromise, a prior law that prohibited slavery in certain territories. This decision significantly fueled sectional conflict and propelled the country closer to the Civil War.

Antietam, a battle fought in Maryland in 1862, was the single bloodiest day in American history, with approximately 23,000 casualties. The Union's victory at Antietam halted General Lee's invasion of the North and provided Lincoln with the opportunity to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Ulysses S. Grant, a skilled Union general, played a decisive role in the Union's victory in the Civil War. He was known for his strategic brilliance, particularly in the capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the war, Grant served as the 18th President of the United States, working to rebuild the nation during a pivotal period of Reconstruction.

Robert E. Lee, a renowned Confederate general, led the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He earned respect for his military prowess and tactical brilliance, making him a revered figure in Southern history. His surrender at Appomattox Court House in 1865 formally ended the Civil War.

The Tenure of Office Act, enacted in 1866, aimed to restrict the President's power to remove federal officials without Senate approval. This legislation became a point of contention between President Andrew Johnson and Congress, directly leading to his impeachment. Although he was acquitted, the Tenure of Office Act remained controversial, raising questions about the balance of power.

The Lecompton Constitution was proposed by pro-slavery forces to establish slavery in Kansas. However, it faced significant opposition from anti-slavery advocates. Ultimately, it was rejected in a referendum by Kansas residents, reinforcing the division over slavery and highlighting the complexities of the issue.

Harriet Beecher Stowe's influential novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion against slavery. Its vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of slavery resonated deeply with readers in America and abroad, fueling the abolitionist movement and contributing to the growing tensions between North and South.

Hinton Helper's book, The Impending Crisis, offered a scathing critique of slavery, arguing that it hindered the South's economic progress. Helper's work challenged the dominant Southern ideology and contributed to the rising tensions between the North and the South, sparking debate over the economic and social consequences of slavery.