Chapter 18-19: Sectional Struggles & Disunion

The system of labor on Southern farms where enslaved African Americans worked without pay, often under harsh conditions, to produce crops like cotton.

People who fought against slavery and sought its abolition.

A newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison that vehemently opposed slavery and called for its immediate end.

A network of secret routes and safe houses used to help enslaved people escape to freedom in the North.

A series of agreements reached in 1850 to address tensions over slavery and the expansion of the United States.

A law passed in 1850 that required citizens to assist in capturing runaway slaves and denied them a right to trial by jury, further fueling tensions between North and South.

A bill proposed in 1854 that allowed for popular sovereignty in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska, effectively opening the door to the expansion of slavery.

A novel written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicted the horrors of slavery and its impact on families, sparking widespread outrage and contributing to the anti-slavery movement.

A political movement that arose in the late 19th century to improve the lives of farmers and working-class Americans. They advocated for policies that would benefit the common people and protect democracy.

The Union held significant advantages, including a larger population, a stronger industrial base, control of the navy, and a more established government. They also had better resources, a larger army, and stronger economic infrastructure.

The Confederacy had several advantages, including a strong officer corps, abundant resources, and the ability to fight defensively. They also had potential support from foreign powers like Britain and France.

A strategy implemented by the Union to blockade Southern ports and suffocate their economy. It was designed to cut off the Confederacy's access to supplies and resources.

A military strategy used in the Civil War where troops engage in close-range combat, firing at the enemy from a short distance.

The period of time following the Civil War (1865-1877) aimed at rebuilding the South and integrating former slaves into society. It was marked by political and social disputes, including debates over the best methods of reconstruction.

The influx of immigrants from various countries, including China, Eastern and Southern Europe, and Jewish communities, to the United States during the Gilded Age. They sought new opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families.

Laws enforced in Southern states after Reconstruction that aimed to discriminate against and segregate Black people. They encompassed practices like voter suppression, segregation in public spaces, and limitations on social and economic opportunities.

A legal doctrine established by the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision in 1896 that ruled separate but equal facilities for Black and White people were constitutional. It upheld the principle of segregation.

The process by which Black people were denied the right to vote through tactics like poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices. It was a key element of Jim Crow segregation in the South.

Charles Sumner, a senator, delivered a speech criticizing the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Preston Brooks, a Congressman, attacked Sumner with a cane on the Senate floor in response. This event highlighted the growing tensions between the North and South, showing how political differences could erupt into violence.

The 1860 election was a pivotal moment in American history. Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, won with a platform opposing the expansion of slavery. Southern states, fearing the end of their way of life, began to secede from the Union, leading to the Civil War.

The secession of South Carolina following Lincoln's election marked the beginning of the Confederacy, a group of states that separated from the Union to preserve slavery. Their secession led to the outbreak of the Civil War.

The capture of Fort Sumter by Confederate forces marked the beginning of the Civil War. It was the first battle of the war, solidifying the tension between North and South into a violent conflict.

The Union's (North's) strengths during the Civil War included a larger population, a more industrialized economy, and a larger army. This gave them an advantage in resources and manpower.

The Confederacy's (South's) strengths during the Civil War included a strong military tradition, skilled officers, and a strong defensive advantage on their home territory.

The Battle of Antietam was a major battle of the Civil War, one of the bloodiest days in American history. It marked a turning point in the war, preventing a Confederate victory and allowing President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, declared that slaves in Confederate-held states were free. It transformed the Civil War into a moral struggle against slavery, strengthening the Union's cause.

The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal battle in the Civil War where the Confederacy was decisively defeated. Union forces, under the command of General Meade, stopped Confederate General Lee's invasion of the North, marking a turning point in the war.

After Lincoln's assassination, the Freedmen's Bureau was established to provide assistance to formerly enslaved people. It aimed to help them adjust to freedom and access basic needs like food, clothing, and education.

Lincoln's 10% Reconstruction Plan aimed to reconcile the South with the Union after the Civil War. It offered pardons to Confederate soldiers and officials who pledged loyalty, and allowed states to rejoin the Union once 10% of their voters swore allegiance.

The Civil War was a pivotal event in American history, leading to significant social and political changes. It ended slavery, solidified the power of the federal government, and led to a new understanding of citizenship.

The concept of popular sovereignty, which allowed residents of territories to decide whether or not to allow slavery, proved ineffective in resolving the issue of slavery's expansion leading to increased tensions and conflict.

Reconstruction plan focused on forgiving the South and allowing them back into the Union with minimal requirements.

Reconstruction plan advocated by Radical Republicans in Congress that aimed to punish the South for their actions during the Civil War. It involved establishing military districts in the South and protecting the rights of freed slaves.

A constitutional amendment that abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States.

A constitutional amendment that granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and guaranteed equal protection under the law. It also included due process protections.

A constitutional amendment that prohibited the denial of voting rights based on race or previous condition of servitude, guaranteeing voting rights for African American men.

The removal of President Andrew Johnson from office for his opposition to the Congressional Reconstruction plan.

President during Reconstruction who gained popularity due to his Civil War experience. However, his administration was marked by corruption and political scandals.

A system of racial segregation enforced by southern states following Reconstruction. This system aimed to control African Americans and restrict their rights.

A discriminatory voting test used to disenfranchise African Americans during Jim Crow. This test was often rigged to make it difficult for African Americans to pass.

A discriminatory tax imposed on voters during Jim Crow. This tax targeted African Americans, making it difficult for them to vote.

Acts of violence committed by white mobs against African Americans, often involving lynching. These acts were fueled by racism and aimed to intimidate African Americans and maintain white supremacy.

A Supreme Court case in 1896 that upheld racial segregation laws in the United States, arguing that separate but equal facilities for blacks and whites did not violate the Constitution.

A philosophy that promotes limited government intervention in the economy, allowing free markets and private businesses to flourish.

A term that describes the period of rapid economic growth and industrialization in the late 19th century, characterized by a facade of prosperity that masked underlying social and economic problems.

A processing center for immigrants arriving from Europe to the East Coast, opened in 1892. It played a significant role in the growth of immigration to the United States.

A massacre of Native Americans by the U.S. Army in South Dakota in 1890. The massacre was sparked by a Ghost Dance movement and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of unarmed Native Americans.

A battle between the U.S. Army and Lakota Sioux warriors in 1876, known for the defeat of the U.S. Army. This battle occurred after gold was discovered in the Black Hills, leading to conflict over land.

A policy implemented in 1887 that aimed to break up Native American reservations and force assimilation of Native Americans into American society.

A law passed in 1862 that offered 160 acres of free land to anyone who would settle and cultivate it for a certain amount of time.

A political party formed in the late 19th century that represented the interests of farmers and other working-class people. They advocated for policies to benefit these groups, such as government intervention in the economy.

An African American educator who believed in economic self-sufficiency and gradual progress for African Americans. He founded the Tuskegee Institute to provide vocational education for African American students.

An African American sociologist, activist, and writer who advocated for full civil rights for African Americans. He was a founding member of the NAACP and believed in immediate equality.

A social movement advocating for an end to racial segregation and discrimination. It sought to secure equal rights for all citizens.

A political ideology promoting limited government involvement in the economy and emphasizing individual liberty and free markets.

A political ideology emphasizing the role of government in promoting social welfare and economic equality.