What was manifest destiny? What forces created it?
God's will for American expansion. Destined by history and God.
What was the "empire of liberty"? How could it be achieved, and what doubts were raised about its desirability?
Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Pacific islands were included in it. It could be achieved by force or by peaceful expansion. Controversy over slavery was raised by this.
How did Texas become available for annexation? What prevented it's immediate annexation?
Sam Houston Jackson made it available. Controversy with Mexico prevented immediate annexation.
What was the history of American interest in Oregon?
1820s-1830s. Missionaries sparked interest.
What were the characteristics of western migrants? What problems did they face? How were these overcome?
They were mining and lumbering men, and farmers with families. Difficult terrain, long trips, pressure to beat the snow, and plagued were difficulties they had. The Indians were guides and helped by trading with them.
Why did Clay and Van Buren wish to avoid taking a stand on the annexation of Texas? What effect did this have on their efforts to be nominated by their party?
It was controversial. It caused a new Whig nominee; Polk.
How did Van Buren's position on Texas help the candidacy of James K. Polk? How did Polk's campaign catch the spirit of the time? What effect did Clay's position on Texas have in his campaign in the presidential election?
Polk was a strong supporter for annexation and had a clear set of goals. It made Clay less ideal for presidency as he had no stance on Texas.
What were the goals of president Polk? How did he resolve the Oregon question?
Annexation and having control of Oregon. "Forty-four forty or fight
What tensions emerged in the southwest that threatened to lead the U.S. into war with Mexico?
Mexican government broke diplomatic relations with Washington. Controversy over Texas border.
How did American interest in California develop?
Trade with Indians and Mexicans.
What were the origins of the Slidell mission? What was its goal, what did it accomplish, and what was Polk's reaction to it?
Bribe Mexico to hold them off, offer rejected. Polk sent army to Rio Grande.
On what grounds did Polk ask congress to declare war on Mexico?
War exists by the act of Mexico herself".
On what grounds was Polk's call for war criticized?
The U.S. was 'too preoccupied with Mexico'.
What was Polk's plan for the conduct of war? How was it set in motion and what was accomplished in the first offensive of the Mexican War?
He hoped to seize parts of Mexico, Zachary Taylor would cross Rio Grande and march to Mexico City.
What were the objectives of the next two offensives in the war? What did they accomplish? What were the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?
To take over California and New Mexico. California and New Mexico ceded to U.S., the U.S. payed Mexico for this.
What was the Wilmont Proviso? What brought about its introduction and what arguments were advanced in its favor?
Prohibited slavery in acquired territory from Mexico. David Wilmont.
What were the south's arguments against the Wilmont Proviso? On what points did they differ from the arguments of the north?
All Americans had equal rights to new territory. North: no slavery in Mexico.
What compromises were proposed to settle the issues raised by the Wilmont Proviso?
Popular sovereignty.
What part did the issue of slavery in the territories play in the election of 1848?
New free soil party formed.
What problems faced Zachary Taylor when he took office? How did he propose to solve them and what action did congress initially take?
The California Gold Rush and sectional tension. The Compromise of 1850.
What was the Compromise of 1850? How was it passed?
Henry Clays proposal to help with tension in U.S. It was only passed when each law was presented to congress one by one; dissected.
Who were the "younger" politicians who emerged after 1859? How did they differ from the leaders they replaced?
Seward, Davis, and Douglas. They produced a compromise.
How did the Compromise of 1850 differ from the Missouri Compromise? Why did both compromises fail to contain the growing conflict between the north and south?
The Compromise of 1859 was a compromise of self interest. The tensions were too strong to be fixed. The laws made didn't make either side completely happy.
How did the political parties react to the Compromise of 1850?
The major political parties endorsed it.
How did the sections of the country react to the Compromise of 1850?
The divided.
What was the "Young America" movement? What national sentiment did it reflect? Who were its spokesmen? What did it accomplish?
It was the idea that expansion would divert attention away from the rising tensions over slavery. Pierce was the spokesman. Europe was like the U.S.
How did American foreign policy objectives in the 1850s begin to reflect growing sectional divisions in the country?
Free or slave state?
Explain how the issue of a transcontinental railroad helped to reopen sectional controversy.
It's location sparked issues.
How did the north react to the Kansas-Nebraska Act? The south? What effect did it have on the Whigs? The democrats?
The north liked it. The south would oppose it. The Whigs were destroyed. The democrats were divided.
Who were the republicans? What caused their formation? Which groups compromised this party? And what was the party's platform?
The republicans were he new political party of anti-Nebraska Whigs and democrats.
What problems were faced in the attempt to organize a legitimate government in Kansas? Why did these problems arise? How was it that Kansas became a battleground for the sectional controversy?
Free v. Slave state disagreement. The southerners fled here, which through popular sovereignty, became a slave state. North wasn't happy.
Explain the maneuvering by proslavery and antis livery forces to gain control of the Kansas government. What did both sides come to believe that Kansas symbolized for the nation?
The crime against Kansas" & John Brown. It was a symbol of sectional controversy.
What were the "immediate, sweeping, and ominous consequences" if the Kansas-Nebraska Act?
Bleeding Kansas".
What type of society did the northerners wish to create? How did "free soil" and "free labor" fit into their plans? Why did they feel that the south was holding them back?
A free soul society. The existence of slavery was through to threaten white people. The south gave Americans no opportunity to improve.
How did the "free soil" ideology manifest itself in the Republican Party? What diverse views did it ignite?
It was at he heart of the party. Whigs and democrats.
What were the elements of the south's proslavery response? Who were its major spokesmen?
Key to prosperity. Calhoun.
What effect did the depression of 1857 have in political divisions in America? How did it increase tension between the north and south? What did both sides see as the significance of this economic decline?
It strengthened the Republican Party. It hurt the democratic south, and caused a change in parties.
What are the origins of the Dred Scott case? What issues were involved and what decision was handed down by the court? How did the reaction to this case add to sectional tensions?
Dred Scott v. Sanford. Are slaves free when in a free state? North unhappy with decision, it made the Missouri compromise invalid.
How did president James Buchanan respond to the Kansas question? What were his reasons and what was he outcome? What does this tell you about the possibility of compromise on the issue of slavery in the territories?
He wanted Kansas to be a free state. It pressured congress to admit Kansas under the Lecompton Constitution.
Why did the Lincoln-Douglas debates take place and why did they take place and why did they draw so much attention? How did Lincoln and Douglas differ in their solution to the question if slavery in the territories?
It was a division in the democrats for senator. Douglas didn't have a moral position, Lincolnshire view was more fundamental. He didn't want to spread it.
What were the goals of John Browns raid and wing did it have such an impact on the south?
To start and slave uprising. It scared the south.
What caused the slit between northern and southern democrats in 1860 and what was the result of this division?
Endorsed slavery or popular sovereignty?
What was the republican platform in 1860? To what specific political groups were the republicans trying to appeal to and how did this platform proposed to appeal them?
They were trying to appeal to the north and south. They had a moderate position on slavery.
John L. O'Sullivan
Influential democratic editor. Manifest destiny.
Penny press
Inexpensive newspapers, mass audience, spread manifest destiny.
Antonio de Santa Anna
Dictator, General of Mexico
San Jacinto
April 23, 1836 battle. General Houston defeated the Mexican army and captured Santa Ana.
Oregon trail
Migrants. 1840-1860. Wagon trail.
Re-occupation" and "re-annexation
Made Polk's victory possible.
Fifty-four forty or fight
Northern boundary of American part of Oregon.
John C. Fremont
Bear flag revolution
Zachary Taylor
Army ---> Rio Grande, war started, sent to seize parts of New Mexico, march into Mexico City.
Stephen W. Kearny
Conquest of California
General Winfield Scott
Commanding general-launched new campaign
Nicholas Trist
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Violated Polk's instructions
All Mexico
Polk demanding annexation
Lewis Cass
1848 democrat nominee
Free-Soil Party
New party of Whigs and democrats
Forty-niners
People who went to California for the gold rush
William H. Seward
Wily political operator who opposed the proposed compromise of 1850
Millard Fillmore
Took Taylor's place as president
Omnibus Bill
Original compromise of 1850
Franklin Pierce
President 1852
Ostend Manifesto
Seizing Cuba by force
Gadsden Purchase
$10 million for part of Mexico
Pottawatomie massacre
John Brown
The crime against Kansas
Charles Sumner
Preston Brooks
Beat up Charles Sumner
Slave power conspiracy
North believed south had a conspiracy to spread slavery
Positive good" thesis
Calhoun, slavery is "positive good"/"happy slave
John Bell
Whig nominee 1860