US History Midterm Study Guide PDF

U.S. History Midterm Study Guide I. American Progress and Manifest Destiny A. John Gast's Painting (1872) Modes of Transportation: Stagecoaches, trains, ships Economic Activities: Farming, commerce/trade, industrialization Types of Individuals Heading West: Settlers, farme...

U.S. History Midterm Study Guide I. American Progress and Manifest Destiny A. John Gast's Painting (1872) Modes of Transportation: Stagecoaches, trains, ships Economic Activities: Farming, commerce/trade, industrialization Types of Individuals Heading West: Settlers, farmers, workers Symbolism: Light vs. dark: Represents progress and civilization Floating woman (Columbia): Symbolizes American expansion B. Manifest Destiny Concept Coined by John O'Sullivan Symbolizes the belief in American expansion and progress II. Antebellum America Trends A. Intellectual/Social Reforms Transcendentalism Abolitionism Temperance Movement Rise of the Penny Press Education Reform Women's Rights Movement Prison Reform Oregon Trail: Significant migration route III. Western Expansion and Territorial Acquisitions A. Technology and Communication Transcontinental Telegraph: Replaced the Pony Express B. Major Territorial Acquisitions (Map Matching) 1. Original Thirteen States (1776-1783): Independence from Great Britain Major bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay 2. British Cession (1783, Treaty of Paris)  3. Northwest Territory: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, part of Minnesota Major bodies of water: Great Lakes 4. Louisiana Purchase (1803): Acquired from France for $15 million States included: Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado Major bodies of water: Mississippi River, Missouri River 5. Florida (1819): Acquired through Adams-Onis Treaty Major bodies of water: Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico 6. Texas Annexation (1845): Annexed after gaining independence from Mexico Leaders: Sam Houston, Stephen Austin Major body of water: Gulf of Mexico 7. Oregon Country (1846): Acquired through treaty with Great Britain States included: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, parts of Montana and Wyoming Major bodies of water: Pacific Ocean, Columbia River 8. Mexican Cession (1848): Result of the Mexican-American War States included: California, Nevada, Utah, parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado Major body of water: Pacific Ocean 9. Gadsden Purchase (1853): Purchased from Mexico for southern transcontinental railroad route 10. Alaska (1867): Purchased from Russia for $7.2 million Major bodies of water: Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea 11. Hawaii (1898): Annexed after the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy C. Other Important Territorial Events Maine's Boundary Settled (1842) Tallmadge Amendment (1819): Proposed to prohibit further introduction of slaves in Missouri Missouri Compromise (1820): Admitted Missouri as a slave state, Maine as a free state, established boundary between slave and free territories D. Westward Migration Migration Statistics: 250,000 people migrated west between 1840-1860 Major Trails: Oregon, California, Mormon E. California John C. Fremont's Rebellion: Led to the Bear Flag Republic Gold Discovery (1848): At Sutter's Mill, sparked the California Gold Rush IV. Mexican-American War and Its Aftermath A. Causes and Timeline Dispute Over Rio Grande: Mexico-Texas border issue War Duration: 1846-1848 Spot Resolution: Introduced by Abraham Lincoln questioning the war's justification B. Key Figures General Zachary Taylor ("Old Rough & Ready")  General Winfield Scott C. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) Ended the Mexican-American War U.S. acquired California and New Mexico Established Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexico border D. Consequences Wilmot Proviso: Proposed to ban slavery in newly acquired territories, raising tensions between North and South V. Political Developments and Pre-Civil War Tensions A. Formation of the Free Soil Party (1848) Opposed the expansion of slavery in the West B. 1848 Election Won by Zachary Taylor C. Compromise of 1850 Proposed by Henry Clay Key provisions: Admitted California as a free state Strengthened the Fugitive Slave Act Settled the Texas border dispute Ended the slave trade in D.C. New Mexico and Utah gained popular sovereignty D. Fugitive Slave Act (1850) Part of the Compromise of 1850 Required Northerners to assist in capturing escaped slaves Imposed heavy fines and prison sentences for those who helped escaped slaves E. Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe Impact: Strengthened abolition efforts in the North F. Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)  Introduced by Stephen A. Douglas Key points: Repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820 Introduced popular sovereignty Resulted in violence in Kansas ("Bleeding Kansas") Led to the formation of the Republican Party G. Republican Party Formation (1854) Comprised of Free-Soilers, Anti-slavery Whigs & Democrats, Nativists Purpose: Oppose the expansion of slavery into territories Positive goal: Stop the expansion of slavery Claim to shame: Oppose Catholics/immigrants H. Dred Scott Decision (1857) Chief Justice: Roger Taney Key rulings: Slaves are not citizens (can't sue in court) African Americans are "inferior" (not entitled to same rights as white men) Federal government has no authority to limit the spread of slavery Missouri Compromise unconstitutional Result: Fired up abolitionists, allowed slavery to potentially spread to all territories I. Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858) Series of debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Focused on the issue of slavery expansion Raised Lincoln's national profile Lincoln: "A house divided against itself cannot stand" Douglas (Freeport Doctrine): "People have lawful means to introduce or exclude slavery as they please" J. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry (1859) Who: John Brown + sons, black & white men Goal: Establish an independent colony to lead future revolts against slavery Attack on federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry Captured by: R.E. Lee (US Army) + Marines Outcome: Brown hanged, became a martyred hero to the Union Increased sectional tensions: North: Increased abolitionist sentiment South: Increased fear of slave rebellions, pushed some toward secession K. Other Important Events Preston Brooks Beats Charles Sumner: In the Senate Lecompton Constitution: Elections boycotted by Anti-Slavery forces Douglas Attacked Ruling: Lost his support in the South James Buchanan (Democrat) Wins 1856 Election Jefferson Davis Named CSA President  CSA Capital: Richmond, VA; Union Capital: Washington, DC Crittenden Compromise: Proposed constitutional amendments to protect slavery Aimed to restore the 36°30' line from the Missouri Compromise VI. Civil War Begins (1860-1861) A. Election of 1860 Candidates: Constitutional Union Party: John Bell Northern Democrats: Stephen A. Douglas Southern Democrats: John Breckinridge Republicans: Abraham Lincoln Winner: Abraham Lincoln B. Southern Secession SC Convenes Secession Legislature States That Seceded: SC, MS, FL, AL, GA, LA, TX, VA, AR, TN, NC C. Civil War Begins Lincoln Calls for 75,000 Volunteers WVA Breaks from VA to Stay in the Union Ft. Sumter: Lincoln sends food & supplies (which don't reach the fort) VII. North vs. South Comparison A. North (Union) Who Rules: National government is sovereign Leadership: Wealthy industrialists, bankers, merchants Economics: Industrial, protective tariffs, 110,000 manufacturers, free labor Assets: Transportation, 4/5 of nation's wealth, 2/3 of RR, factories, shipyards Cultural: Heavy immigration, large middle class, high literacy, growing intellectual movement B. South (CSA) Who Rules: States ' Rights Leadership: Planter Aristocracy Economics: Agricultural, despise tariffs, 18,000 manufacturers, slave labor Assets: King Cotton (major US export), harbors, rivers, raw materials Cultural: Large slave population, rural, gap between rich/poor, illiteracy, closed class system VIII. Key Events Related to Kansas [Important for SAQ] A. Missouri Ruffians Cross border to violate Kansas constitution Pass code making it illegal to criticize slavery Result: Anti-slavery groups join forces politically B. Sack of Lawrence, KS Anti-slavery raiders attack Free Soil party headquarters C. Pottawatomie Creek Raid John Brown leads massacre of pro-slavery settlement D. Lecompton Constitution Elections boycotted by Anti-Slavery forces Douglas attacked ruling, lost his support in the South E. Kansas-Nebraska Act (expanded) Led to "Bleeding Kansas" Violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers Microcosm of the larger sectional conflict IX. The Civil War (1861-1865) A. Pre-War Period (1850s) Issues Contributing to Sectional Strife: Slavery expansion/abolition debates Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 Uncle Tom's Cabin publication State-by-state slavery legislation B. Start of the War (1861) Fort Sumter Bombardment: April 1861 Lincoln's Call for 75,000 Volunteers Additional Southern States Secede C. Early Battles and Developments (1861-1862) Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas): First major battle in American history at the time Showed the war wouldn't be quick or easy Union Strategy: Blockade Southern ports  Confederate Goals: Gain foreign recognition Naval Innovations: Monitor and Virginia - World's first ironclad warships D. 1862: Shifting Tides Western Theatre: Grant's victories vs. McClellan's slow progress Eastern Theatre: Battle of Antietam - Bloodiest single-day battle, led to Emancipation Proclamation Emancipation Proclamation: Diplomatic blow to Confederacy, made it harder for France and England to recognize CSA E. 1863: Turning Point Emancipation Proclamation Effects: Black men enlist in Union Army Battle of Chancellorsville: Union defeat, Hooker retreats, Confederacy loses Stonewall Jackson Battle of Gettysburg: Lee's invasion of Pennsylvania fails Pickett's Charge - famous failed attack Bloodiest battle, turning point of the war Gettysburg Address: Lincoln honors fallen Union soldiers, reaffirms equality and liberty Western Theatre: Vicksburg falls to Grant (July 4, 1863), Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga F. 1864: The War Continues Grant Becomes General-in-Chief Sherman's March to the Sea: Captured Atlanta "Burning and pillaging" through Georgia Aimed to destroy Confederate resources and demoralize the South Battle of Mobile Bay Battle of Petersburg Lincoln's Re-election G. 1865: The War's End Fall of Petersburg and Richmond Lee's Surrender at Appomattox Court House: April 9, 1865 Lincoln's Assassination Capture of Jefferson Davis H. Additional Civil War Concepts Total War: Strategy targeting both military and civilian resources to demoralize the enemy Lincoln's Suspension of Habeas Corpus: Allowed detention of suspected Confederate operatives without trial Bread Riots: Occurred in Richmond, VA in April 1863 due to food shortages and inflation Greenbacks: Paper money printed by Union government to fund war effort, led to high inflation Contrabands: Escaped enslaved people who crossed Union lines, protected from being returned to slavery Confederate Relationship with Great Britain: Confederacy hoped for British recognition and support Britain maintained official neutrality, but some sympathized with the South Cotton diplomacy: South's attempt to leverage cotton exports for support Copperheads: Northern Democrats who opposed the war Critical of Lincoln and his policies Advocated for immediate peace with the Confederacy X. Reconstruction and its Aftermath A. Amendments 13th Amendment (1865): Abolished slavery 14th Amendment (1868): Defined citizenship and guaranteed equal protection 15th Amendment (1870): Guaranteed voting rights for African American men B. Freedmen's Bureau Provided Aid to Freed People Established Schools for African Americans C. Black Codes Laws Passed to Maintain White Supremacy and Restrict African American Rights D. 15th Amendment's Impact on Women's Movement Guaranteed Voting Rights for African American Men but Not Women Caused Tension and Division Among Women's Rights Activists E. Urban Leagues Promoted African American Interests in the South Provided Social Services and Education F. Redeemers Sought to Restore White Supremacy in the South Used Violence and Intimidation to Suppress African American Voting G. Return of Democratic Party Control Texas: 1873 Alabama and Arkansas: 1874 H. Compromise of 1877 Ended Disputed Presidential Election of 1876 Federal Troops Withdrawn from the South I. Solid South Period of Democratic Dominance in the South  Marked by White Supremacy and African American Disenfranchisement J. Jim Crow Laws State and Local Laws Enforcing Racial Segregation in the Southern United States K. Juneteenth Celebrates the End of Slavery in the United States Originated on June 19, 1865, when Union Soldiers Brought News of Emancipation to Galveston, Texas XI. Additional Important Concepts A. Empresarios Agents Contracted to Bring Settlers to Texas When It Was Part of Mexico Granted Land by the Mexican Government to Settle with Colonists B. Tejanos & Californios Mexican Residents of Texas and California, Respectively C. Liberty Party vs Free Soil Party Liberty Party: Aimed to Abolish Slavery Altogether Free Soil Party: Aimed to Prevent Slavery's Expansion into New Territories D. Freeport Doctrine vs Popular Sovereignty Freeport Doctrine: Territories Could Still Exclude Slavery Despite Dred Scott Decision Popular Sovereignty: Settlers in Territories Could Decide on Slavery Themselves E. Civil War Aftermath and Remembrance Casualties: 620,000 Dead (2% of American Population) Veterans' Reunions: (e.g., 75th Anniversary at Gettysburg in 1938) Preservation Efforts: Formed groups, wrote books, founded newspapers Established cemeteries Modern Preservation Challenges: Suburban sprawl Passage of time Loss of historical sites Reasons for Preservation: Ensure lessons and deeds are not forgotten Preserve hallowed ground Allow future generations to learn and appreciate sacrifices F. Oppositions to Land from Mexico Mexico's Refusal to Recognize Texas's Independence Anti-Slavery Factions' Opposition to Expansion of Slave Territory Some Southerners' Opposition to Westward Expansion, Fearing Loss of Political Power Native American Resistance to Further Territorial Encroachment G. Copperheads Northern Democrats Who Opposed the War Critical of Lincoln and His Policies Advocated for Immediate Peace with the Confederacy XII. Key Terms and Concepts A. Manifest Destiny Belief in American Expansion Across the Continent as Inevitable and Justified B. Popular Sovereignty Principle Allowing Settlers in a Territory to Decide Whether to Allow Slavery C. Bleeding Kansas Period of Violence Between Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery Settlers in Kansas Territory D. Underground Railroad Network of Secret Routes and Safe Houses Used by Enslaved African Americans to Escape to Free States and Canada E. Emancipation Proclamation Issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863 Declared Slaves in Confederate States to Be Free Did Not Apply to Slave States That Remained in the Union F. Homestead Act of 1862 Provided 160 Acres of Federal Land to Any Adult Citizen Who Had Never Taken Up Arms Against the U.S. Government G. Transcontinental Railroad Completed in 1869, Connecting the Eastern and Western United States by Rail H. Reconstruction Period Following the Civil War, Focused on Rebuilding the South and Integrating Freed Slaves into American Society I. Sharecropping Agricultural System That Developed After the Civil War, Where Tenant Farmers Worked Land Owned by Others in Exchange for a Share of the Crop J. Jim Crow Laws State and Local Laws Enforcing Racial Segregation in the Southern United States XIII. Important Figures A. Abraham Lincoln 16th President of the United States Led the Country Through the Civil War Issued the Emancipation Proclamation Assassinated in 1865 B. Jefferson Davis President of the Confederate States of America C. Robert E. Lee Commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia D. Ulysses S. Grant Commander of the Union Army, Later 18th President of the United States E. Frederick Douglass Former Slave Who Became a Prominent Abolitionist and Orator F. Harriet Tubman Escaped Slave Who Became a Conductor on the Underground Railroad G. William Lloyd Garrison  Prominent Abolitionist and Founder of "The Liberator" Newspaper H. John Brown Radical Abolitionist Known for His Raid on Harpers Ferry I. Harriet Beecher Stowe Author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" J. Stephen A. Douglas Democratic Senator Known for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and Debates with Lincoln XIV. Timeline of Key Events 1803: Louisiana Purchase 1820: Missouri Compromise 1845: Texas Annexation 1846-1848: Mexican-American War 1850: Compromise of 1850 1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act 1857: Dred Scott Decision 1859: John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry 1860: Lincoln Elected President 1861: Civil War Begins 1863: Emancipation Proclamation, Battle of Gettysburg 1865: Civil War Ends, Lincoln Assassinated 1865-1877: Reconstruction Era 1877: Compromise of 1877, End of Reconstruction