Manifest Destiny and Territorial Expansion
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Questions and Answers

What does the term Manifest Destiny mean?

Manifest Destiny was a term coined by John O’ Sullivan and it is the right of America to territorial expansion.

What role did the debate over slavery play in discussions about westward expansion in the United States?

The debate over slavery was a main concern in the discussions about westward expansion in the United States.

Why did Mexico invite American settlers to Texas in 1824, and what requirements did these settlers have to follow?

Americans were invited to Texas in 1824 by Mexico in order for Mexico to gain increased security against Native American tribes through a larger Mexican population.

What were the causes of tensions between American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government in the 1830s?

<p>The causes of tensions between American settlers in Texas and the Mexican government in the 1830s were the rejection of Mexican rules, bringing in slavery, and illegal immigration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did U.S. presidents, including Andrew Jackson, initially avoid annexing Texas into the United States (why did they “kick the can down the road”)?

<p>U.S. presidents, including Andrew Jackson initially avoided annexing Texas into the United States because of regional rivalries based on slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was President James K. Polk’s campaign slogan regarding the Oregon Territory, and how was the dispute with Britain ultimately settled?

<p>President James K. Polk’s campaign slogan regarding the Oregon Territory was “Fifty-Four Forty or fight!”, which meant that the U.S was willing to go to war to annex the Oregon territory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main causes of the Mexican-American War?

<p>The main causes of the Mexican-American War were the annexation of Texas, the attempt by the U.S to purchase more Mexican Territory, and border disputes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the disagreement over the location of Texas’s southern border contribute to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War? What happened?

<p>The disagreement over the location of Texas’s southern border contributed to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War when president Polk sent Zachary Taylor to the disputed territory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Lincoln opposed the Mexican-American War as a “land grab” - what facts support his position?

<p>Abraham Lincoln opposed the Mexican-American War, believing it was a “land grab” driven by the desire to expand U.S. territory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What groups opposed the Mexican-American War and why?

<p>Whigs, Abolitionists, and Transcendentalists opposed the Mexican-American War because of the expansion of slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the key terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and how did it reshape U.S. territory?

<p>The key terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo were the Mexican Cession and new southern boundary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Wilmot Proviso, and why is it significant despite never becoming law?

<p>The Wilmot Proviso was a document made by David Wilmot that would ban slavery in all territories acquired from the Mexican Cession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the political position of the Free Soil Party on slavery and westward expansion?

<p>The free soil party was a political party that was strongly against slavery for the reason that free soil would benefit the economy of the U.S. more.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did California become a state so much faster than other territories?

<p>California became a state much faster than the other territories gained by the Mexican Cession because of the California Gold Rush.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the main provisions of the Compromise of 1850?

<p>The Compromise of 1850 was an agreement made by Henry Clay to settle national disputes that were a product of the Mexican Cession.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 increase tensions between the Northern and Southern states?

<p>The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 was an act that states that northerners must actively assist in the capture of slaves that escaped to the north.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the primary differences between the Northern industrial economy and the Southern agricultural economy in the mid-19th century?

<p>The primary differences between the northern industrial economy and the southern agricultural economy in the mid-19th century were their economic foundations and labor systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did immigration from Ireland and Germany shape urban politics in Northern cities in the mid-1800s?

<p>The mid 1800s experienced a massive influx of immigrants from Ireland and Germany into the U.S. which shaped urban politics in northern cities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the key goals and strategies of the abolitionist movement in the 19th century?

<p>The key goals of the abolitionist movement in the 19th century were to immediately end slavery for moral and economic reasons and stop slavery in westward expansion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Were abolitionists a monolithic group? Explain.

<p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 intensify Southern fears about Northern attitudes toward slavery?

<p>John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry was a significant demonstration of abolitionist sentiment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

As former slaves, what roles did Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman play in the abolitionist movement?

<p>Former slaves Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman played a significant role in the abolitionist movement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe so effective in contributing to the abolitionist movement? What arguments did Southerners make to discredit it?

<p>The book, Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe was a book written inspired by the fugitive slave act that helped readers understand the morally intolerable impact of slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why would one argue that Popular Sovereignty when it comes to the issue of slavery is unrealistic and perhaps ‘too much democracy’?

<p>Popular Sovereignty when it came to slavery was unrealistic and &quot;too much democracy&quot; because there was a misuse in power and democracy in letting the people decide on whether or not slavery should be allowed in their state, which led to violent conflicts like &quot;Bleeding Kansas.&quot;</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Supreme Court's decision in the Dred Scott case, and why was it significant?

<p>Dred Scott was a former slave who sued for his freedom, as his former owner moved with him to a free state and died.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 bring national attention to the issue of slavery's expansion into the territories?

<p>The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1848 brought national attention to the issue of the expansion of slavery into the territories by making it the central focus of their debates, with Lincoln against the spread and Douglas defending popular sovereignty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Democratic Party split during the Election of 1860, and what were the differing platforms of Northern and Southern Democrats?

<p>The election of 1860 put the Democratic Party to the test and split it into two factions based on region.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Abraham Lincoln’s position on slavery during the Election of 1860, and how did this influence the outcome?

<p>Abraham Lincoln held the position during the election of 1860 that slavery should not be expanded into the western territories, however, he protected the right to slavery in the southern states where it already existed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Crittenden Compromise and why did Lincoln reject it?

<p>The Crittenden Compromise was proposed by Senator Crittenden of Kentucky and would extend the Missouri Compromise line to the west.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What events at Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War, and how did it lead to further secession?

<p>Fort Sumter was a U.S. military fort in Charleston Harbor where Union soldiers were trapped.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why were the “Border States” so critical to Lincoln’s plan of winning the war?

<p>The Border States were so critical to Lincoln’s plan of winning the war because they were slaveholding states that remained in the union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the advantages and disadvantages of the Union during the Civil War?

<p>The Union had social, geographical, and political advantages and disadvantages during the Civil War.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the advantages and disadvantages of the Confederacy during the Civil War?

<p>The Confederacy had social, geographical, and political advantages and disadvantages during the Civil War.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the Anaconda Plan, and how did it serve as the Union’s military strategy during the Civil War?

<p>The Anaconda Plan was a three-part Union strategy devised by Winfield Scott at the defeat of the first Bull Run.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was the Battle of Antietam considered a turning point in the Civil War, both militarily and politically?

<p>The Battle of Antietam was considered a turning point in the Civil War both militarily and politically because it was the single most bloody day in American history and it was the first and only battle fought on Union soil.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What wartime actions did President Lincoln take without Congressional approval, and how did he justify these actions?

<p>President Lincoln took several wartime actions without Congressional approval, including suspending the right of habeas corpus, which allowed for the arrest of suspected Confederate sympathizers without trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 impact the Union’s war aims and international diplomacy?

<p>The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 was issued by President Lincoln and it freed all the slaves, even in the border states and the Confederacy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the key provisions of the Homestead Act, and how did it shape the U.S. economy during the Civil War?

<p>The Homestead Act of 1862 gave settlers 160 acres of free public land if they built a house, lived on the land for five years, and made improvements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the key provisions of the Pacific Railway Act, and how did it shape the U.S. economy during the Civil War?

<p>The Pacific Railway Act of 1862 gave land and funding to companies to build a transcontinental railroad, connecting the East and West coasts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was Abraham Lincoln’s Ten Percent Plan for Reconstruction, and how did it aim to reintegrate Southern states into the Union?

<p>During Reconstruction, Lincoln was faced with the key issues of southern resentment, restoration of the union, and the meaning of black freedom.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did President Andrew Johnson’s approach to Reconstruction differ from the Radical Republican approach in Congress?

<p>President Andrew Johnson's approach to Reconstruction was more lenient, offering pardons to most Confederates who swore loyalty to the Union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the “Civil War Amendments”?

<p>The Civil War Amendments were the three amendments that were passed during the period of Reconstruction after the Civil War.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the overall position of the Radical Republicans in Congress and how is this illustrated in the Wade-Davis Bill in 1864?

<p>The overall position of the radical republicans in Congress was to give harsh punishments to southerners and make it difficult for them to rejoin the union.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Was Johnson’s impeachment a political act? What evidence would you offer to support that argument?

<p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why was President Andrew Johnson impeached, and what was the outcome of his impeachment trial?

<p>President Johnson was impeached for excessive vetoes, high crimes and misdemeanors in office, including violating the tenure of office act.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Ku Klux Klan use violence and intimidation to undermine Reconstruction efforts in the South?

<p>The Ku Klux Klan was a violent nativist group who sought to maintain white supremacy by aiding the revival of the democratic party and the overthrowing of radical reconstruction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Black Codes and what are some examples of it?

<p>The purpose of the black codes was to undermine the civil rights act of 1866, which granted freedmen the full benefits of U.S. citizenship.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What economic challenges did freed African Americans face under the system of sharecropping after the Civil War?

<p>Freed African Americans were faced with serious economic issues, as they'd never been economically independent before.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the 14th Amendment and what were the details of it?

<p>The purpose of the 14th amendment was to secure the rights granted in the civil rights act of 1866.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Compromise of 1877 bring an official end to Reconstruction, and what were its political consequences?

<p>The Compromise of 1877 was brought about when there was a debate over whether Democratic candidate Tilden would win the presidency or candidate Republican Hayes would.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did Northern support for Reconstruction policies wane during the 1870s?

<p>Northern support for Reconstruction policies waned during the 1870s because northerners became tired of Reconstruction and shifted their focus to other political and economic issues like western expansion, Indian wars, and tariffs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did territorial expansion exacerbate sectional tensions in the United States during the 19th century?

<p>Territorial expansion exacerbated sectional tensions in the U.S. during the 19th century through the expansion of slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did debates over slavery influence political realignments during the 1850s?

<p>Debates over slavery in the 1850s led to the collapse of the Whig Party, as divisions over the issue split its members, contributing to the rise of the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the economic impacts of the Civil War on both the Northern and Southern regions of the United States?

<p>The Civil War had a devastating economic impact on the South, where much of the infrastructure was destroyed and the agricultural economy was severely disrupted.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Reconstruction policies attempt to address the social and political legacy of slavery in the United States?

<p>Reconstruction policies aimed to integrate formerly enslaved people into society by passing the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and secured voting rights for African Americans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what ways did the Reconstruction era fail to achieve its goals of racial equality and lasting social change?

<p>Despite legal advancements like the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Reconstruction failed to achieve lasting racial equality as Southern states attempted to limit and restrict voting rights for the African Americans.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Manifest Destiny and Territorial Expansion

  • Manifest Destiny: A 19th-century American ideology asserting the right and duty of the U.S. to expand its territory. Coined by John O’Sullivan, it was justified by perceived American cultural, linguistic, technological, and democratic superiority.

  • Debate over Slavery: Westward expansion ignited fears of an imbalance in slave and free states, influencing presidential decisions regarding annexation.

  • Texas Settlement: Mexico invited American settlers to Texas in 1824 to bolster security against Native Americans. Settler requirements included Catholicism, adherence to Mexican law, and payment of fees. Many settlers ignored these.

  • Texas-Mexico Tensions: Increasing tensions stemmed from Texan rejection of Mexican rules, introduction of slavery (illegal in Mexico), and illegal immigration, which outnumbered the Mexican population.

  • Avoiding Texas Annexation: U.S. presidents, like Andrew Jackson, initially avoided annexing Texas due to the debate over whether new territories would be slave or free states. Fear of political imbalance prevailed.

  • Oregon Treaty: Polk's campaign slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!" reflected the U.S.'s willingness to engage in war to annex the Oregon Territory. Ultimately, the Oregon Treaty (1846) divided the territory along the 49th parallel.

The Mexican-American War

  • Main Causes: The annexation of Texas, attempts to purchase more Mexican territory, and border disputes.

  • Texas Border Dispute: President Polk's deployment of Zachary Taylor to the disputed border territory, followed by the Mexican army's ambush of American troops, sparked the war. Congress declared war with a claim of Mexican shedding American blood on American soil.

  • Lincoln's Opposition: Lincoln opposed the war, deeming it a land grab motivated by territorial expansion. He argued the legitimacy of the cause from the Mexican side.

  • Opposition to the War: Whigs, abolitionists, and transcendentalists opposed the war due to concerns about slavery expansion.

  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Ended the war and established the Rio Grande as Texas' southern border. The treaty resulted in the Mexican Cession, which added vast territory including California and New Mexico.

  • Wilmot Proviso: David Wilmot's proposal to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico. Although never passed, it signified an growing sectional conflict over slavery.

  • Free Soil Party: This political party vehemently opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories, viewing free soil as economically advantageous.

The Compromise of 1850

  • California's Rapid Admission: The California Gold Rush spurred its rapid admission as a free state.

  • Compromise of 1850 Provisions: Included admitting California as a free state, popular sovereignty for slavery in remaining territories, settling a border dispute with Mexico, abolishing the slave trade in Washington D.C., and a new Fugitive Slave Act.

  • Fugitive Slave Act: Increased tensions as Northerners were required to assist in capturing runaway slaves.

Sectional Conflict and Regional Differences

  • Northern vs. Southern Economies: The North's industrial economy depended on free labor and manufacturing, while the South's agricultural economy relied heavily on the enslaved labor system.

  • Immigration Impact: Irish and German immigration influenced urban politics, creating a voting bloc and generating nativist responses.

  • Abolitionist Movement: The movement's aims were to swiftly abolish slavery, advocating for immediate emancipation and for moral and economic reasons and for the protection of free labor. 

  • John Brown's Raid: John Brown's raid heightened Southern anxieties about Northern anti-slavery sentiment.

  • Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman: Their contributions to the abolitionist movement as former slaves helped publicize the horrors of slavery.

Failure of Compromise

  • Popular Sovereignty and Unrealistic Democracy: The system of popular sovereignty regarding slavery proved unrealistic, leading to conflicts like "Bleeding Kansas."

  • Dred Scott Decision: The Supreme Court declared that slaves were not citizens, invalidated the Missouri Compromise, and intensified tensions.

  • Lincoln-Douglas Debates: The 1858 debates highlighted the national importance of slavery's expansion into the territories.

Election of 1860 and Secession

  • Democratic Party Split: The Democrats split into Northern and Southern factions, reflecting differing views on slavery's expansion.

  • Lincoln's Position on Slavery: Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery but didn't advocate immediate abolition of existing slavery in the South, impacting the election outcome.

  • Crittenden Compromise: Proposed to extend the Missouri Compromise line to the west and was rejected by Lincoln.

  • Fort Sumter: The Confederate firing on Fort Sumter marked the beginning of the Civil War.

Civil War Military Conflict

  • Union Advantages: Larger population, superior industrial capacity, and leadership.

  • Union Disadvantages: Inferior initial military leadership and divided public opinion about the war's objective.

  • Confederate Advantages: Home field advantage, defensive strategy, and superior initial military leadership.

  • Confederate Disadvantages: Smaller population and industrial capacity.

  • Anaconda Plan: Union strategy of blockading ports, dividing the Confederacy through the Mississippi River, and capturing Richmond.

  • Battle of Antietam: A major turning point, the bloodiest one-day battle, ended in a Union victory.

Government Policies During the Civil War

  • Lincoln's Wartime Actions: Lincoln suspended habeas corpus, expanded the army, and imposed a naval blockade, justifying these actions to ensure national security and preserve the Union.

  • Emancipation Proclamation: Strengthened Union war aims and prevented potential European support for the Confederacy.

  • Homestead Act: Provided free land to settlers to encourage westward expansion and boost agriculture.

  • Pacific Railway Act: Funded railroad construction, boosting trade and supporting westward expansion, facilitating westward migration and the growth of industry.

Reconstruction

  • Lincoln's Ten Percent Plan: Pardoned Southerners who pledged loyalty and supported abolition, aiming to restore Southern states quickly.

  • Johnson vs. Radical Republican Approaches: Johnson favored a lenient approach, while Radical Republicans sought harsher penalties and ensured African American rights.

  • Civil War Amendments: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments abolished slavery, granted citizenship, and secured voting rights.

  • Radical Republicans and the Wade Davis Bill: The Radical Republicans sought harsh measures to shape Reconstruction's course and prevent white Southerners from regaining power in the South. The Wade Davis Bill exemplified this approach.

  • Johnson's Impeachment: Impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act and for using excessive vetoes.

Failure of Reconstruction

  • Ku Klux Klan: Used violence and intimidation to restrict Black rights and undermine Reconstruction.

  • Black Codes: Southern laws that limited the freedoms of formerly enslaved people, perpetuating racial inequality.

  • Sharecropping: Crippled the economic advancement of freed African Americans causing a cycle of poverty.

  • 14th Amendment: Defined citizenship, protected civil liberties, and penalized states that did not uphold these rights, and tried to guarantee federal protection.

  • Compromise of 1877: Withdrawing federal troops from the South effectively ended Reconstruction, leading to political consequences including increased racism and white supremacist sentiment.

  • Waning Northern Support: Decreasing interest in enforcing civil rights led to the decline of Northern support for Reconstruction in the 1870s.

General Themes

  • Territorial Expansion and Section Conflict: The expansion of slavery into new territories strained the Union's foundations.

  • Slavery and Political Realignments: The debate over slavery led to the division of existing parties (Whigs) and the creation of new ones (Republicans).

  • Civil War Economic Impacts: The Civil War devastated the Southern economy, and the North saw industrial growths and governmental contracts leading to inflation and large debt.

  • Reconstruction Policies and Race: The era attempted to address slavery's legacy, but significant racial inequalities persisted.

  • Reconstruction Goals and Failure: The policies failed to ensure lasting racial equality or create a peaceful, truly integrated southern region despite the passage of amendments.

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Description

Explore the concept of Manifest Destiny and its impact on American territorial expansion in the 19th century. This quiz covers key events such as the Texas settlement, the debate over slavery, and the tensions between Texas and Mexico. Test your knowledge on the cultural and political factors that shaped this pivotal era.

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