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American History Final Exam
Key terms in preparation for the final
59
History
Undergraduate 2
06/08/2011

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Term
Northern Abolition Laws
Definition
Northern states free slaves gradually. Slavery prohibited in Old Northwest by Ordinance of 1787.
Term
Missouri Compromise
Definition
Proposed by Henry Clay. Slavery would be balanced by admitting Missouri as a slave state and admitting Maine as a free state. Further slavery above the Missouri in the Louisiana territory forbidden.
Term
American Colonization Society
Definition
Funded removal of slaves to Africa/Liberia. No antibodies to disease.
Term
Underground Railroad
Definition
Named after Tice Davids.

Used to "conduct" slave escapees to the North. Harriet Tubman makes 19 trips between Maryland and Canada.
Term
William Lloyd Garrison
Definition
Newspaper editor and supporter of racial equality.

Believed one had a moral obligation to break from a government or church that supported slavery. Encouraged the North to secede from the South.
Term
Frederick Douglass
Definition
Friend to Garrison. Escaped mixed-race slave. broke with Garrison on the Union issue: Douglass believed that the way to free slaves was by remaining active in government, not breaking from it.
Term
Grimké Sisters
Definition
First prominent female abolitionists. Equal rights for slaves and women.
Term
Liberty Party
Definition
Started off as an anti-slavery party that broke from Garrison's group because they didn't want women's equality.

Merged with the anti-slavery Whigs and became the Free Soil Party.
Term
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Definition
Gave U.S. CA, AZ, NM, UT, and all of TX
Term
Wilmot Proviso
Definition
Proposed by David Wilmot.

All slavery banned from land acquired from Mexico. Slavery not allowed to expand. Not passed by Senate.
Term
Homestead Act
Definition
First proposed by the Free Soil Party to limit slavery and large plantations. Land was given for free to small free farmers.
Term
Zachary Taylor
Definition
Wins presidency based on heroics in the Mexican War.

Pushed for free states. Dies of gastroenteritis.
Term
California Gold Rush
Definition
Gold discovered near Sacramento. Eastern states migrate to West coast in 1849.

Causes a population increase enough for CA to be accepted as state.
Term
Compromise of 1850
Definition
Proposed by Henry Clay.
California admitted as free state, rest of Mexican-War territory would be unrestricted.
Slavery would be abolished in D.C.
Term
John C. Calhoun
Definition
Disapproves of the Compromise of 1850, claims South is getting the short end of the stick again.
Term
Daniel Webster
Definition
In response to the Compromise of 1850, proposes that northerners give in to the South to prevent secession,
Term
Millard Fillmore
Definition
Becomes President after Taylor dies.

Willing to pass the Clay's Compromise of 1850.
Term
Stephen A. Douglas
Definition
Replaces Clay. Heads Committee of 13. Breaks down compromise into separate acts. Adds stronger Fugitive Slave Act.
Term
Fugitive Slave Act
Definition
1. Owner could claim runaway slaves before a tribune.
2. Judges bribed to decide in favor of slave owners.
3. Federal and local officials had to help find runaways.
Term
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Definition
Reopens the slavery issue. Proposes creation of Kansas and Nebraska. Repeals Missouri Compromise. Slavery left to popular vote.
Proposed by Stephen A. Douglas.
Term
Voting in Kansas
Definition
People cross borders to swell the pro-slavery vote. Abolitionists move into Kansas to stop slavery. Massachusetts Emigrant Aid Society promotes free soilers. War breaks out.
Term
John Brown
Definition
Fanatic abolitionist. Life-for-life literal interpretation of the Bible. Feds have to restore order.
Term
Republican Party
Definition
Replaces the Whig party. Created in direct response to the K-N Act to stop spread of slavery into territories.
Term
Dred Scott Decision
Definition
Scott sues for freedom after becoming a resident in Northern states. Supreme Court ruled that:
1. Slaves were not citizens and could not sue.
2. Temporary residence does not grant freedom.
3. Missouri Compromise is unconstitutional.
Term
Results of the Dred Scott Decision
Definition
1. Wilmot Provisio, Missouri Compromise, and Republican quenching of slavery halted
Term
Lincoln-Douglas Debates
Definition
Lincoln (Rep. lawyer) challenges Senator Stephen Douglas to debates as a means of exposure.
What starts as a friendly rivalry turns nasty.
Term
Freeport Doctrine
Definition
Douglas (in seocnd L-D Debate): slavery can be prevented in new territories by state legislatures passing anti-slavery laws. Douglas wins re-election to Senate.
Term
Harper's Ferry
Definition
Slave rebellion instigated and led by John Brown. Marines capture him. He is tried and found guilty, hung. Becomes martyr for Abolitionist Movement. Southerners suspect he was with Republicans. Southerners fear that if they remain in the Union the attacks will continue.
Term
Northern Democrats
Definition
Led by S. A. Douglas. Want Popular Sovereignty to decide slavery.
Term
Southern Democrats
Definition
Want Federal Slave Codes for the territories. Lose the Convention and leave.
Term
Republican Platform of 1860
Definition
Lincoln is candidate. No slavery in territories. Homestead Act. High Tariff.
Term
Constitutional Union Party
Definition
No platform. Consists of people from the Upper South and border states who want election decided by House of Representatives.
Term
Lincoln's Inaugural Address
Definition
After first wave of secession, Lincoln's address promises to enforce the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and not to interfere with slavery where it already exists.
Term
House and Senate Compromises
Definition
Enforced Fugitive Slave Law
Personal Liberty Laws repealed.
Ensure slavery in the South forever.
Missouri Compromise line extended to CA.
Term
Fort Sumter and Fort Pickens
Definition
Union forts in Charleston and Pensacola attacked by Confederate troops. Lincoln puts down rebellion with volunteer army. After this, other Southern states secede.
Term
General Winfield Scott
Definition
The Anaconda Plan. The Union would block trade and supplies with the navy and march down the Mississippi to split the South in two.

Lincoln adds: seize Eastern Theater/Richmond (capital and breadbasket) and Western Theater/Atlanta (railroads)
Term
First Battle of Bull Run
Definition
Union army under McDowell tries to prevent the Confederate Congress from convening by attacking Beauregard's troops. At first, the Union does well, but Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's stand and the arrival of reinforcements helped the Confederates. Then there was confusion with the uniforms on the Union side.
Term
Results of the First Battle of Bull Run
Definition
1. Superiority in the South
2. Redoubled ar effort in the North
Term
Army of the Potomac
Definition
Main Union Army of the East. Under George McClellan. Turned army into well-disciplined strong troops. Never wanted to use the army.
Term
Peninsula Campaign
Definition
McClellan attacks Richmond from the peninsula, fewer Confederates. At Yorktown, Confederates make it appear as if they have more troops and artillery. At the Battle of the Seven Pines, Robert E. Lee takes command of the Confederates.
Term
The Seven Days
Definition
Army of Northern VA/Lee vs. Army of the Potomac. Ended the Peninsula campaign by driving McClellan out of the peninsula. Heavy casualties. Established Lee's reputation, boosts Southern morale. Inspires Lincoln to consider Emancipation to deny Confederates this labor source.
Term
Second Battle of Bull Run
Definition
General John Pope goes to meet Lee. Lee divides his army, sends Jackson from behind to capture supplies. Pope forced to attack Jackson and is destroyed. Leaves North open for Lee's invasion.
Term
Reasons for Lee to Invade North
Definition
I. Good for publicity.
II. Maryland might join
III. Army could live off of Maryland crops.
Term
Lee's Movement North
Definition
Army smaller. McClellan discovers Lee's plans and blocks his path.
Term
Battle of Antietam
Definition
Union disorganized. Bloodiest battle in American History. Lee's plans for Northern invasion are not accomplished.
Term
Emancipation Proclamation
Definition
If the rebellion did not cease, then the slaves would be freed. Liberating the slaves reduced the Confederates' manpower.
Term
Fredericksburg
Definition
McClellan removed after Antietam because he did not end the fighting soon enough. Burnsides takes over. Moves army across the river and attacks Lee. Burnsides defeated.
Term
Siege of Vicksburg
Definition
Key to Union victory in the West. Led by Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Starve the troops out, Confederates surrender at the point of mutiny.
Term
Joseph Hooker
Definition
Arrogant Union commander.
Term
Chancellorsville
Definition
Hooker vs. Lee. Lee sends Jackson around and surprise attacks them. Stonewall Jackson accidentally fired upon by his troops, dies.
Term
Gettysburg
Definition
Lee tries to invade North again. Tries to take Big and Little Round Top. Lee leads Pickett's charge in the middle of the Union line, believing it to be weaker there. They are picked apart by Union artillery.
Term
Results of Gettysburg
Definition
Stops invasion of the North, gives Confederate army lots of casulaties.

Confederates obtain supplies.

Union does not chase after Confederates and they reach VA.
Term
Northern Conscription
Definition
Passed because enlistments had dropped and massive casualties suffered. You could hire a substitute or pay a one-time fee instead of enlisting.
Term
New York Draft Riots
Definition
Immigrants worried that blacks would take over their jobs if they were enlisted. Army called in to restore irder.
Term
Richmond Bread Riots
Definition
Lake of food and increase and population plus inflation. Women in Richmond riot in the city.
Term
Ulysses S. Grant
Definition
Becomes Commander-in-Chief of Army of the Potomac. Strategy is to attack confederacy on all fronts. Needs war to end before election.
Term
Overland Campaign
Definition
Grant outnumbers Lee 2:1, Lee meets Grant in the Wilderness. Bad place for battle due to forest, Grant pushes South.
Term
Atlanta Campaign
Definition
William Sherman takes Atlanta, Savannah, Carolinas.
Capture of Atlanta wins election for Lincoln.
Term
Appomattox Courthouse
Definition
Grant cuts supply lines, surrounds Lee. Lee surrenders.
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