US History: Political Movements of the 1850s

Lincoln believed the Constitution should reflect the moral principles of the Declaration of Independence, particularly regarding the abolition of slavery. This showed his belief that the war was not just about preserving the Union, but also about addressing the moral and constitutional issue of slavery.

Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy, argued that the Confederate nation was based on the belief in racial inequality and the permanence of slavery. He explicitly rejected the idea of equality proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, claiming slavery was 'natural.'

These laws passed by Congress allowed the Union to confiscate Confederate property, including enslaved people, who were declared "contraband of war." They aimed to weaken the Confederacy by depriving it of its labor.

Issued by Lincoln after the Battle of Antietam, this declaration declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate-controlled territories. While it didn't free all enslaved people immediately, it shifted the Union's war objective to include the abolition of slavery.

Lincoln's re-election during the Civil War was boosted by Union victories like Sherman's March. His opponent, McClellan, advocated for a negotiated peace.

A political movement in the 1850s that reflected nativist anxieties over immigration, opposing immigrants and Catholics.

This Act repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for popular sovereignty in deciding the legality of slavery in new territories, causing violence in Kansas as pro-slavery and anti-slavery groups clashed.

Founded in 1854, this party opposed the expansion of slavery and emerged from various anti-slavery groups like the Free Soilers and anti-slavery Whigs.

The collapse of this party in the 1850s resulted from the divisive issue of slavery, leading to the rise of the Republican Party.

A period from 1854 to 1859 characterized by violent clashes over slavery in Kansas territory. This conflict arose as a consequence of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

This 1857 Supreme Court decision ruled against the citizenship of enslaved people and their descendants, fueling tensions over slavery and constitutional interpretation.

In this speech delivered in 1857, Lincoln opposed the Dred Scott decision by arguing that it denied basic citizenship rights to Black people.

This speech, delivered in 1854, criticized the Kansas-Nebraska Act and emphasized the moral imperative to restrict slavery.

An abolitionist who led the Harpers Ferry raid and became a martyr for the anti-slavery cause. His execution in 1859 further escalated sectional tensions.

A series of agreements passed in 1850 to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories after the Mexican-American War. Key elements included the Fugitive Slave Act, the admission of California as a free state, and the creation of a stronger Fugitive Slave Act.

A major turning point in American history, fought between the Union (North) and the Confederacy (South) from 1861 to 1865, primarily over the issue of slavery and states' rights.

A significant battle fought in July 1861 at Manassas Junction, Virginia. It marked the first major battle of the Civil War and resulted in a Confederate victory, shattering Northern hopes for a quick and easy victory.

An unsuccessful Union military campaign led by General George McClellan in the spring and summer of 1862, aimed at capturing Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital. It ended in failure, and McClellan was replaced by General John Pope.

An act passed by the United States Congress in July 1862, which authorized President Lincoln to confiscate property, including slaves, belonging to Confederate supporters. This act marked a crucial step towards the Emancipation Proclamation.

A pivotal battle fought in September 1862 near Sharpsburg, Maryland, resulting in a Union victory. This battle led to the issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared the freedom of enslaved people in Confederate-held territories.

A period of significant changes in the Southern United States following the Civil War, aimed at reconstructing the nation and integrating freed slaves into citizenship. It was defined by political, social, and economic shifts.

One of the most important aspects of the Reconstruction era, where freed slaves played a critical role in shaping the new South. They faced challenges and triumphs in their strive for true freedom and equality.

A period in the reconstruction of the United States after the Civil War, during which President Andrew Johnson's policies were often seen as lenient towards former Confederate states. These policies faced intense opposition from Radical Republicans in Congress.

A deeply personal document written by President Lincoln during the Civil War, which reflects his belief in the principle of equality enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. He argued that the Union was founded on the principles of equality and liberty.

The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868 stemmed from his opposition to Radical Reconstruction and his violation of the Tenure of Office Act by removing a cabinet member without Senate approval. Though acquitted by a single vote, the trial highlights the deep political struggle over Reconstruction and limitations of Congressional power.

Northerners moving to the South during Reconstruction, often accused of trying to exploit resources.

Southern whites who supported Reconstruction and the Republican Party.

Southern Democrats who regained control of state governments in the 1870s. They often used voter suppression and violence to achieve this.

Official name: Enforcement Act. This act gave the federal government authority to combat Ku Klux Klan violence and protect civil rights.

A massacre in Colfax, Louisiana, where white supremacists killed over 100 Black militia members defending a courthouse. This was one of the worst instances of violence during Reconstruction.

The period of Reconstruction in the South ended with the Compromise of 1877, which saw the withdrawal of federal troops from Southern states and the abandonment of federal protection for Black civil rights.

Lincoln's speech given at the end of the Civil War, emphasizing reconciliation and forgiveness, while acknowledging slavery's role in the conflict.

A federal agency established in 1865 to aid freed slaves and impoverished white Southerners. Offered education, food, housing, and legal aid, but faced opposition and underfunding.

An approach to Reconstruction pursued by President Andrew Johnson that favored leniency towards the South. It allowed states to rejoin the Union with minimal conditions, resulting in the passage of Black Codes that restricted African Americans' rights.

A Reconstruction approach advocated by Congressional Republicans that favored stricter measures. They used federal troops to enforce civil rights and ensure Black political participation, challenging Johnson's policies.

An act passed in 1867 that divided the South into five military districts. It required Southern states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing Black suffrage and ratification of the 14th Amendment to rejoin the Union. This signified the beginning of Radical Reconstruction.

The process of rebuilding the South after the Civil War, dealing with the issues of slavery, civil rights, and the role of the federal government.

The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, stemming from his resistance to Reconstruction policies and his violation of the Tenure of Office Act. He was acquitted by one vote, but the process highlighted the political tensions of the time.

A series of laws passed by Southern states immediately after the Civil War. These laws aimed to restrict the rights of freed people and maintain white supremacy. They often included provisions like curfews, limits on land ownership, and vagrancy laws.

The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1868. It granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. This amendment played a significant role in Reconstruction and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

A conflict between two different approaches to Reconstruction—one advocating for leniency towards the South (Presidential Reconstruction) and the other calling for stricter measures to ensure civil rights and protect Black participation (Radical Reconstruction). This conflict highlighted the deep divisions over how to rebuild the South.

A post-Civil War narrative that romanticized the Confederacy by downplaying slavery and focusing on "states' rights", influencing Southern identity and history education for generations.

The bloodiest day of the Civil War, Antietam led to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, significantly shifting the war's purpose.

This speech, given after the Battle of Gettysburg, redefined the war's purpose as a fight for equality and unity.

Lincoln's document which explored the relationship between the Union and slavery, highlighting his belief in the moral foundation of the Constitution.

Alexander Stephens, the Confederate Vice President, argued in this speech that slavery formed the cornerstone of the Confederacy and was a natural and necessary institution.

Lincoln's declaration freed all enslaved people in Confederate territories, effectively turning the Civil War into a fight for emancipation.

Sherman's military strategy employed total warfare, aimed at destroying Confederate resources and demoralizing civilians.

This address, delivered by Lincoln after the Battle of Gettysburg, emphasized the importance of unity and equality in the fight for a nation based on the principles of freedom.