5.1 Contextualizing Period 5
9 min read•february 11, 2023
Caleb Lagerwey
Jed Quiaoit
Caleb Lagerwey
Jed Quiaoit
The Buildup to a Huge Historical Storm...
During Period 5, the westward expansion of the United States continued, spurred on by ideas of (see 5.2). 🗽
Manifest Destiny
was the belief, held by many Americans in the mid-19th century, that it was the God-given mission of the United States to expand its territory and spread its political and cultural values across the entire continent. This belief was used to justify the acquisition of new territory, such as the (1846-1848) and the , as well as the forced relocation of Native American tribes during the .
also played a role in the and the settlement of the western territories during the mid to late 1800s. The term "" was coined in 1845 by journalist , and the idea behind it had a significant impact on American politics and foreign policy in the decades leading up to the .
The Market Revolution?
Period 4 also saw the and the that profoundly changed the US. The increased the connectedness of the North and West through communication and transportation innovations like the telegraph and railroad.
The , also known as the Economic Revolution, refers to the significant economic changes that occurred in the United States between the late 1700s and the mid-1800s. This period saw the transition from a primarily agrarian and local economy to a more industrialized and national one. The was driven by a number of factors, including the growth of transportation networks (such as canals, roads and railroads), the development of new technologies (such as the cotton gin and the steam engine), and the rise of a capitalist market economy. 🚆
Source: The American Yawp
The led to the growth of cities and the rise of a new urban working class, as well as increased economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners. However, it also brought about significant social and economic changes, such as the displacement of small farmers, the rise of wage labor, and increased competition among businesses, which caused the widening gap between rich and poor.
In addition, the had a profound impact on the environment and the way Americans lived and worked. The increased demand for land and resources led to the destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, and the pollution of water and air.
All in all, the brought about many significant changes in the United States and laid the foundation for the country's economic development in the 19th century and beyond.
What Were the Antebellum Reform Movements?
The changed the US after the Second Great Awakening by urging Americans to change their society for the better through movements like Temperance, Women’s Rights, and, most consequentially for Period 5, abolitionism. 😠
The were a series of social, religious, and political movements that emerged in the United States during the period before the , also known as the antebellum period (approximately 1820-1860). These movements aimed to address a wide range of issues related to society and culture, including poverty, education, slavery, women's rights, and temperance.
Some of the most significant include:
The Temperance Movement
The Temperance Movement was a social movement that emerged in the United States in the early 19th century, with the goal of reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcohol. The movement believed that alcohol was the cause of many social problems, such as poverty, crime, and domestic abuse, and that reducing its consumption would lead to a more moral and orderly society.
Source: ThoughtCo
The was primarily led by women, who were often the victims of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse. They formed groups such as the (WCTU) and the , which aimed to educate the public about the dangers of alcohol and lobby for laws and policies that would restrict its sale and consumption. They also organized campaigns such as "temperance rallies" and "prohibition crusades" to raise awareness about their cause.
The movement's efforts led to the passage of state-level , which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in some states, and the to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol nationwide from 1920 to 1933.
The was a significant social movement that sought to address the negative impact of alcohol on society and promote a more moral and healthy lifestyle. While it was successful in achieving its goal of Prohibition, it ultimately failed to solve the problems it sought to address and led to unintended consequences, such as the rise of organized crime, the black market, and a decrease in government revenue.
The Women's Rights Movement
The during 1844 and 1877 saw significant advances for women's rights. One of the most important events during this period was the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, which was organized by and . At the convention, a Declaration of Sentiments was adopted, which outlined the rights that women were denied and called for their equal treatment under the law.
During the , many women became active in abolitionist and suffrage movements, and their participation in these causes helped to further the cause of women's rights. After the war, the to the Constitution were ratified, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African American men, but not to women. This led to the formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869, which focused on securing voting rights for women through a federal amendment to the Constitution.
Source: Oregon Secretary of State
The Abolitionist Movement
The abolitionist movement was a social and political movement in the United States that aimed to end slavery and the slave trade. The movement began in the late 18th century and gained momentum in the 19th century, leading to the and the eventual abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.
Abolitionists were a diverse group of people, including both black and white individuals, who used various strategies to advocate for the end of slavery. Some abolitionists, such as and , were former slaves who used their personal experiences to educate others about the horrors of slavery. Others, such as and , used speeches, writings, and protests to raise awareness and mobilize support for the abolitionist cause.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
The also had a significant impact on the . Many women, such as and Sojourner Truth, were active in both the abolitionist and suffrage movements, and their participation helped to further the cause of women's rights.
The Utopian Communities Movement
The Utopian Communities movement refers to a series of communities established in the 19th century in the United States that aimed to create a perfect society based on principles of equality, cooperation, and social harmony. These communities, also known as intentional communities, were founded on various ideologies such as communism, socialism, and religious beliefs, among others.
Examples of these communities include the , the , and the . Some of these communities were successful in the short term, but most of them eventually dissolved due to various reasons like internal conflicts, economic failures, and lack of new members.
The Public School Movement
The between 1844 and 1877, saw significant developments in the establishment of publicly-funded schools. The movement began in the mid-19th century, and in 1844, Massachusetts became the first state to pass a law mandating that all children between the ages of 8 and 14 attend school.
, who served as the , played a crucial role in the establishment of the public school system in Massachusetts. He advocated for the use of tax dollars to fund schools, the establishment of teacher training programs, and the use of a standardized curriculum.
The success of the public school system in Massachusetts led other states to adopt similar laws, and by the end of the , most states had compulsory education laws in place. However, these laws were not always enforced and attendance at public schools was not always mandatory.
During the and the period of , the faced a setback as many schools were closed, and funds were diverted to other causes. However, after the war, the movement gained momentum again, and by the end of the 1870s, most northern states had a well-established public school system.
Moving Forward with the Story
Overall, these reform movements aimed to improve the lives of marginalized groups, challenge the status quo, and promote social and political change in the United States. They were often met with resistance from those who opposed their goals, but they also helped to pave the way for significant social and political progress in the decades that followed. ⚔️ These changes were not uniform throughout the US, however, and sectional tensions began to develop between the North and South as they grew increasing apart on a variety of issues: the North was changing far faster than the South thanks to the and . The South grew increasingly protective of its more traditional way of life. Tensions mounted as the 1840s continued...
Expansionist Foreign Policies
During the mid-19th century, the United States underwent significant changes, both domestically and internationally. The country became more connected with the world, as it pursued an expansionist foreign policy and emerged as a destination for immigrants from other countries.
The drive for expansion was fueled by a combination of economic and security interests, as well as popular enthusiasm for U.S. growth and expansion. This resulted in the acquisition of new territories, including parts of Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as substantial migration westward. Additionally, the U.S. embarked on new overseas initiatives, such as the acquisition of and the acquisition of from Spain.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
However, the growth and expansion of the U.S. was not without controversy. During the 1840s and 1850s, Americans continued to debate questions about rights and citizenship for various groups of inhabitants within the country. These debates included questions about the rights of Native Americans, African Americans, and women, as well as the status of territories and newly acquired lands. The questions of rights and citizenship were deeply intertwined with larger issues of slavery, race, and national identity, and would continue to shape American politics and society for decades to come.
North vs. South
The mid-19th century in the United States was marked by intensifying debates over slavery and other economic, cultural, and political issues, as the country continued to expand and regional divisions deepened. These debates were fueled by deeply ingrained ideological and economic differences between Americans in the North and the South, and came to dominate political discourse in the 1850s. 👎
The intensifying debates over slavery produced an array of diverging responses from Americans in the North and the South. In the North, abolitionist sentiment was growing, as people called for the immediate end of slavery and advocated for the rights of African Americans. In contrast, the South saw slavery as a critical component of its economic and cultural identity, and fiercely defended the institution.
These conflicting views on slavery and other issues came to a head in the , which was one of the most bitter and divisive in American history. The election of , a Republican who was perceived by many in the South as hostile to slavery, was the final straw for many Southern states, which seceded from the Union and formed the .
The result was the , a conflict that would test the strength and resilience of the United States and shape the course of its history for generations to come.
Source: American Battlefield Trust
🎥 Watch: AP US History - Period 5 In Context
Key Terms to Review (42)
14th and 15th Amendments
: The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former slaves—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” The 15th Amendment prohibited governments from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.18th Amendment
: The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. It led to the era known as Prohibition.Abolitionist Movement
: The Abolitionist Movement was a social and political push for immediate emancipation of all slaves and end racial discrimination and segregation in mid-19th century America.Abraham Lincoln
: The 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through its Civil War, preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government and modernized the U.S. economy.Amana Colonies
: The Amana Colonies were seven villages in Iowa, established by German Pietists during the mid-19th century. They lived a communal lifestyle with strict religious observance and self-sufficiency.American Civil War
: The American Civil War was a conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 between Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) who seceded from the Union over issues including slavery and states' rights.Annexation of Texas
: The annexation of Texas refers to when Texas joined the United States as its 28th state in 1845. This followed nearly a decade after it won independence from Mexico and existed as an independent Republic.Antebellum Reform Movements
: These were social reform movements that took place in the United States during the antebellum period (before Civil War), including temperance, abolitionism, women's rights, education reform etc.California Gold Rush
: The California Gold Rush was a period of rapid migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848. Thousands of people, known as '49ers, moved to the state hoping to strike it rich.Civil War
: The Civil War was a major conflict fought between northern states (known as the Union) and southern states (known as Confederacy) that seceded from the United States over issues including slavery and states' rights from 1861-1865.Confederate States of America
: The Confederate States of America, also known as Confederacy, was an unrecognized breakaway state that existed from 1861 to 1865. It was formed by seven southern states where slavery was legal, who seceded from United States due to disagreements over states' rights and slavery.Election of 1860
: The presidential election where Abraham Lincoln won against three other candidates (John Bell, John Breckinridge, Stephen Douglas). This election led directly to Southern secession and ultimately to Civil War.Elizabeth Cady Stanton
: Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an early leader of the woman's rights movement, writing Declaration of Sentiments as a call to arms for female equality during Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.Expansionist Foreign Policies
: These are strategies adopted by a nation's government to expand its economic, political, or territorial reach beyond its current borders.Frederick Douglass
: Frederick Douglass was a former slave who became a prominent abolitionist, author, and speaker. He is known for his powerful speeches and writings against slavery.Harriet Tubman
: Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist and humanitarian during the 19th century. She is best known for her role in helping enslaved people escape through a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.Hawaii
: An archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean that became an official U.S. territory in 1898 following annexation and later achieved statehood in 1959.Horace Mann
: Horace Mann was an American educational reformer and politician dedicated to promoting public education. He served as Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education and worked towards creating standardized curricula in schools.Indian Removal era
: The Indian Removal era (1830-1850) was a period in U.S. history when Native American tribes were forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to areas west of the Mississippi River, primarily present-day Oklahoma.John Brown
: John Brown was an American abolitionist who believed in and advocated armed insurrection as the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. He is most famous for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.John O'Sullivan
: John O'Sullivan was an influential American journalist and politician in the early 19th century who coined the term 'Manifest Destiny' to describe the belief that American expansion across the continent was inevitable and divinely ordained.Manifest Destiny
: Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century belief that the United States was destined and divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean.Market Revolution
: The Market Revolution refers to the period in 19th-century American history when an agrarian society of small producers evolved into an industrialized nation of consumers.Mexican-American War
: The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was a conflict between Mexico and America that followed America's annexation of Texas, which Mexico still considered its territory despite an independent Texan Republic existing since 1836.National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA)
: The NWSA was an organization established in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to fight for women's rights, particularly the right to vote.Native Americans, African Americans, and women rights debates
: These debates refer to the historical discussions and conflicts over the civil rights of these three groups in American society. They encompass issues such as suffrage (voting rights), equal treatment under law, and freedom from discrimination.North vs South debates over slavery
: These were contentious arguments between Northern states (which were generally against slavery) and Southern states (which wanted to maintain slavery) that occurred prior to the Civil War.Oneida Community
: The Oneida Community was a religious commune founded by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848 in Oneida, New York. It practiced "Perfectionism," a form of Christianity with distinctive views on sin and salvation.Prohibition laws
: Prohibition laws were federal and state laws that enforced a period of nearly 14 years (1920-1933) during which the making, selling, or transporting alcohol was illegal in the United States.Public School Movement
: The Public School Movement was an effort in the early to mid-19th century to establish public education systems throughout the U.S., aimed at providing free education for all children.Puerto Rico
: An island located in the Caribbean Sea, it became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898.Reconstruction
: Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War (1865-1877) during which the United States worked to reintegrate Southern states back into the Union and rebuild the country.Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education
: The Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education is a position responsible for overseeing public education in the state. This role was first held by Horace Mann, who served from 1837 to 1848 and is often called "the father of American public education."Seneca Falls Convention of 1848
: The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention held in the United States. It marked the start of the women's suffrage movement and resulted in a Declaration of Sentiments, which demanded equal social status and legal rights for women, including the right to vote.Shakers
: The Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance, were a religious sect that emerged during the 18th century. They believed in communal living, pacifism, and celibacy.Susan B. Anthony
: Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th-century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States.Temperance Movement
: The Temperance Movement was a social movement against consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants sought to reduce alcohol consumption or eliminate it altogether through legislation or persuasion.Utopian Communities Movement
: The Utopian Communities Movement was a series of social experiments that took place in the United States during the 19th century. These communities were established by idealistic reformers who sought to create perfect societies, free from the problems they saw in mainstream society.William Lloyd Garrison
: William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent American abolitionist, journalist, suffragist, and social reformer. He is best known as one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society and for his editorship of "The Liberator," an anti-slavery newspaper.Women's Christian Temperance Union
: The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was an organization established in 1874 that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol, believing it to be the root cause of societal problems like domestic violence and poverty.Women's Rights Movement
: The Women's Rights Movement refers to organized efforts aimed at improving legal, political, economic, and social status of women in society. It began in earnest with Seneca Falls Convention in mid-19th century America.Women's Temperance Movement
: The Women’s Temperance Movement was a social movement led by women who were concerned about the destructive power of alcohol and its effects on families. They campaigned for stricter laws around alcohol consumption.5.1 Contextualizing Period 5
9 min read•february 11, 2023
Caleb Lagerwey
Jed Quiaoit
Caleb Lagerwey
Jed Quiaoit
The Buildup to a Huge Historical Storm...
During Period 5, the westward expansion of the United States continued, spurred on by ideas of (see 5.2). 🗽
Manifest Destiny
was the belief, held by many Americans in the mid-19th century, that it was the God-given mission of the United States to expand its territory and spread its political and cultural values across the entire continent. This belief was used to justify the acquisition of new territory, such as the (1846-1848) and the , as well as the forced relocation of Native American tribes during the .
also played a role in the and the settlement of the western territories during the mid to late 1800s. The term "" was coined in 1845 by journalist , and the idea behind it had a significant impact on American politics and foreign policy in the decades leading up to the .
The Market Revolution?
Period 4 also saw the and the that profoundly changed the US. The increased the connectedness of the North and West through communication and transportation innovations like the telegraph and railroad.
The , also known as the Economic Revolution, refers to the significant economic changes that occurred in the United States between the late 1700s and the mid-1800s. This period saw the transition from a primarily agrarian and local economy to a more industrialized and national one. The was driven by a number of factors, including the growth of transportation networks (such as canals, roads and railroads), the development of new technologies (such as the cotton gin and the steam engine), and the rise of a capitalist market economy. 🚆
Source: The American Yawp
The led to the growth of cities and the rise of a new urban working class, as well as increased economic opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners. However, it also brought about significant social and economic changes, such as the displacement of small farmers, the rise of wage labor, and increased competition among businesses, which caused the widening gap between rich and poor.
In addition, the had a profound impact on the environment and the way Americans lived and worked. The increased demand for land and resources led to the destruction of natural habitats, deforestation, and the pollution of water and air.
All in all, the brought about many significant changes in the United States and laid the foundation for the country's economic development in the 19th century and beyond.
What Were the Antebellum Reform Movements?
The changed the US after the Second Great Awakening by urging Americans to change their society for the better through movements like Temperance, Women’s Rights, and, most consequentially for Period 5, abolitionism. 😠
The were a series of social, religious, and political movements that emerged in the United States during the period before the , also known as the antebellum period (approximately 1820-1860). These movements aimed to address a wide range of issues related to society and culture, including poverty, education, slavery, women's rights, and temperance.
Some of the most significant include:
The Temperance Movement
The Temperance Movement was a social movement that emerged in the United States in the early 19th century, with the goal of reducing or eliminating the consumption of alcohol. The movement believed that alcohol was the cause of many social problems, such as poverty, crime, and domestic abuse, and that reducing its consumption would lead to a more moral and orderly society.
Source: ThoughtCo
The was primarily led by women, who were often the victims of the negative consequences of alcohol abuse. They formed groups such as the (WCTU) and the , which aimed to educate the public about the dangers of alcohol and lobby for laws and policies that would restrict its sale and consumption. They also organized campaigns such as "temperance rallies" and "prohibition crusades" to raise awareness about their cause.
The movement's efforts led to the passage of state-level , which banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol in some states, and the to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol nationwide from 1920 to 1933.
The was a significant social movement that sought to address the negative impact of alcohol on society and promote a more moral and healthy lifestyle. While it was successful in achieving its goal of Prohibition, it ultimately failed to solve the problems it sought to address and led to unintended consequences, such as the rise of organized crime, the black market, and a decrease in government revenue.
The Women's Rights Movement
The during 1844 and 1877 saw significant advances for women's rights. One of the most important events during this period was the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, which was organized by and . At the convention, a Declaration of Sentiments was adopted, which outlined the rights that women were denied and called for their equal treatment under the law.
During the , many women became active in abolitionist and suffrage movements, and their participation in these causes helped to further the cause of women's rights. After the war, the to the Constitution were ratified, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African American men, but not to women. This led to the formation of the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) in 1869, which focused on securing voting rights for women through a federal amendment to the Constitution.
Source: Oregon Secretary of State
The Abolitionist Movement
The abolitionist movement was a social and political movement in the United States that aimed to end slavery and the slave trade. The movement began in the late 18th century and gained momentum in the 19th century, leading to the and the eventual abolition of slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865.
Abolitionists were a diverse group of people, including both black and white individuals, who used various strategies to advocate for the end of slavery. Some abolitionists, such as and , were former slaves who used their personal experiences to educate others about the horrors of slavery. Others, such as and , used speeches, writings, and protests to raise awareness and mobilize support for the abolitionist cause.
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
The also had a significant impact on the . Many women, such as and Sojourner Truth, were active in both the abolitionist and suffrage movements, and their participation helped to further the cause of women's rights.
The Utopian Communities Movement
The Utopian Communities movement refers to a series of communities established in the 19th century in the United States that aimed to create a perfect society based on principles of equality, cooperation, and social harmony. These communities, also known as intentional communities, were founded on various ideologies such as communism, socialism, and religious beliefs, among others.
Examples of these communities include the , the , and the . Some of these communities were successful in the short term, but most of them eventually dissolved due to various reasons like internal conflicts, economic failures, and lack of new members.
The Public School Movement
The between 1844 and 1877, saw significant developments in the establishment of publicly-funded schools. The movement began in the mid-19th century, and in 1844, Massachusetts became the first state to pass a law mandating that all children between the ages of 8 and 14 attend school.
, who served as the , played a crucial role in the establishment of the public school system in Massachusetts. He advocated for the use of tax dollars to fund schools, the establishment of teacher training programs, and the use of a standardized curriculum.
The success of the public school system in Massachusetts led other states to adopt similar laws, and by the end of the , most states had compulsory education laws in place. However, these laws were not always enforced and attendance at public schools was not always mandatory.
During the and the period of , the faced a setback as many schools were closed, and funds were diverted to other causes. However, after the war, the movement gained momentum again, and by the end of the 1870s, most northern states had a well-established public school system.
Moving Forward with the Story
Overall, these reform movements aimed to improve the lives of marginalized groups, challenge the status quo, and promote social and political change in the United States. They were often met with resistance from those who opposed their goals, but they also helped to pave the way for significant social and political progress in the decades that followed. ⚔️ These changes were not uniform throughout the US, however, and sectional tensions began to develop between the North and South as they grew increasing apart on a variety of issues: the North was changing far faster than the South thanks to the and . The South grew increasingly protective of its more traditional way of life. Tensions mounted as the 1840s continued...
Expansionist Foreign Policies
During the mid-19th century, the United States underwent significant changes, both domestically and internationally. The country became more connected with the world, as it pursued an expansionist foreign policy and emerged as a destination for immigrants from other countries.
The drive for expansion was fueled by a combination of economic and security interests, as well as popular enthusiasm for U.S. growth and expansion. This resulted in the acquisition of new territories, including parts of Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as substantial migration westward. Additionally, the U.S. embarked on new overseas initiatives, such as the acquisition of and the acquisition of from Spain.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
However, the growth and expansion of the U.S. was not without controversy. During the 1840s and 1850s, Americans continued to debate questions about rights and citizenship for various groups of inhabitants within the country. These debates included questions about the rights of Native Americans, African Americans, and women, as well as the status of territories and newly acquired lands. The questions of rights and citizenship were deeply intertwined with larger issues of slavery, race, and national identity, and would continue to shape American politics and society for decades to come.
North vs. South
The mid-19th century in the United States was marked by intensifying debates over slavery and other economic, cultural, and political issues, as the country continued to expand and regional divisions deepened. These debates were fueled by deeply ingrained ideological and economic differences between Americans in the North and the South, and came to dominate political discourse in the 1850s. 👎
The intensifying debates over slavery produced an array of diverging responses from Americans in the North and the South. In the North, abolitionist sentiment was growing, as people called for the immediate end of slavery and advocated for the rights of African Americans. In contrast, the South saw slavery as a critical component of its economic and cultural identity, and fiercely defended the institution.
These conflicting views on slavery and other issues came to a head in the , which was one of the most bitter and divisive in American history. The election of , a Republican who was perceived by many in the South as hostile to slavery, was the final straw for many Southern states, which seceded from the Union and formed the .
The result was the , a conflict that would test the strength and resilience of the United States and shape the course of its history for generations to come.
Source: American Battlefield Trust
🎥 Watch: AP US History - Period 5 In Context
Key Terms to Review (42)
14th and 15th Amendments
: The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former slaves—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.” The 15th Amendment prohibited governments from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.18th Amendment
: The 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1919, prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. It led to the era known as Prohibition.Abolitionist Movement
: The Abolitionist Movement was a social and political push for immediate emancipation of all slaves and end racial discrimination and segregation in mid-19th century America.Abraham Lincoln
: The 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through its Civil War, preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government and modernized the U.S. economy.Amana Colonies
: The Amana Colonies were seven villages in Iowa, established by German Pietists during the mid-19th century. They lived a communal lifestyle with strict religious observance and self-sufficiency.American Civil War
: The American Civil War was a conflict fought from 1861 to 1865 between Northern states (Union) and Southern states (Confederacy) who seceded from the Union over issues including slavery and states' rights.Annexation of Texas
: The annexation of Texas refers to when Texas joined the United States as its 28th state in 1845. This followed nearly a decade after it won independence from Mexico and existed as an independent Republic.Antebellum Reform Movements
: These were social reform movements that took place in the United States during the antebellum period (before Civil War), including temperance, abolitionism, women's rights, education reform etc.California Gold Rush
: The California Gold Rush was a period of rapid migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848. Thousands of people, known as '49ers, moved to the state hoping to strike it rich.Civil War
: The Civil War was a major conflict fought between northern states (known as the Union) and southern states (known as Confederacy) that seceded from the United States over issues including slavery and states' rights from 1861-1865.Confederate States of America
: The Confederate States of America, also known as Confederacy, was an unrecognized breakaway state that existed from 1861 to 1865. It was formed by seven southern states where slavery was legal, who seceded from United States due to disagreements over states' rights and slavery.Election of 1860
: The presidential election where Abraham Lincoln won against three other candidates (John Bell, John Breckinridge, Stephen Douglas). This election led directly to Southern secession and ultimately to Civil War.Elizabeth Cady Stanton
: Elizabeth Cady Stanton was an early leader of the woman's rights movement, writing Declaration of Sentiments as a call to arms for female equality during Seneca Falls Convention in 1848.Expansionist Foreign Policies
: These are strategies adopted by a nation's government to expand its economic, political, or territorial reach beyond its current borders.Frederick Douglass
: Frederick Douglass was a former slave who became a prominent abolitionist, author, and speaker. He is known for his powerful speeches and writings against slavery.Harriet Tubman
: Harriet Tubman was an African-American abolitionist and humanitarian during the 19th century. She is best known for her role in helping enslaved people escape through a network of safe houses known as the Underground Railroad.Hawaii
: An archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean that became an official U.S. territory in 1898 following annexation and later achieved statehood in 1959.Horace Mann
: Horace Mann was an American educational reformer and politician dedicated to promoting public education. He served as Secretary of Massachusetts Board of Education and worked towards creating standardized curricula in schools.Indian Removal era
: The Indian Removal era (1830-1850) was a period in U.S. history when Native American tribes were forcibly relocated from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to areas west of the Mississippi River, primarily present-day Oklahoma.John Brown
: John Brown was an American abolitionist who believed in and advocated armed insurrection as the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. He is most famous for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859.John O'Sullivan
: John O'Sullivan was an influential American journalist and politician in the early 19th century who coined the term 'Manifest Destiny' to describe the belief that American expansion across the continent was inevitable and divinely ordained.Manifest Destiny
: Manifest Destiny was a 19th-century belief that the United States was destined and divinely ordained to expand across the North American continent, from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean.Market Revolution
: The Market Revolution refers to the period in 19th-century American history when an agrarian society of small producers evolved into an industrialized nation of consumers.Mexican-American War
: The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was a conflict between Mexico and America that followed America's annexation of Texas, which Mexico still considered its territory despite an independent Texan Republic existing since 1836.National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA)
: The NWSA was an organization established in 1869 by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony to fight for women's rights, particularly the right to vote.Native Americans, African Americans, and women rights debates
: These debates refer to the historical discussions and conflicts over the civil rights of these three groups in American society. They encompass issues such as suffrage (voting rights), equal treatment under law, and freedom from discrimination.North vs South debates over slavery
: These were contentious arguments between Northern states (which were generally against slavery) and Southern states (which wanted to maintain slavery) that occurred prior to the Civil War.Oneida Community
: The Oneida Community was a religious commune founded by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848 in Oneida, New York. It practiced "Perfectionism," a form of Christianity with distinctive views on sin and salvation.Prohibition laws
: Prohibition laws were federal and state laws that enforced a period of nearly 14 years (1920-1933) during which the making, selling, or transporting alcohol was illegal in the United States.Public School Movement
: The Public School Movement was an effort in the early to mid-19th century to establish public education systems throughout the U.S., aimed at providing free education for all children.Puerto Rico
: An island located in the Caribbean Sea, it became a U.S. territory following the Spanish-American War in 1898.Reconstruction
: Reconstruction was the period following the Civil War (1865-1877) during which the United States worked to reintegrate Southern states back into the Union and rebuild the country.Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education
: The Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education is a position responsible for overseeing public education in the state. This role was first held by Horace Mann, who served from 1837 to 1848 and is often called "the father of American public education."Seneca Falls Convention of 1848
: The Seneca Falls Convention was the first women's rights convention held in the United States. It marked the start of the women's suffrage movement and resulted in a Declaration of Sentiments, which demanded equal social status and legal rights for women, including the right to vote.Shakers
: The Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance, were a religious sect that emerged during the 18th century. They believed in communal living, pacifism, and celibacy.Susan B. Anthony
: Susan B. Anthony was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th-century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States.Temperance Movement
: The Temperance Movement was a social movement against consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants sought to reduce alcohol consumption or eliminate it altogether through legislation or persuasion.Utopian Communities Movement
: The Utopian Communities Movement was a series of social experiments that took place in the United States during the 19th century. These communities were established by idealistic reformers who sought to create perfect societies, free from the problems they saw in mainstream society.William Lloyd Garrison
: William Lloyd Garrison was a prominent American abolitionist, journalist, suffragist, and social reformer. He is best known as one of the founders of the American Anti-Slavery Society and for his editorship of "The Liberator," an anti-slavery newspaper.Women's Christian Temperance Union
: The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was an organization established in 1874 that advocated for the prohibition of alcohol, believing it to be the root cause of societal problems like domestic violence and poverty.Women's Rights Movement
: The Women's Rights Movement refers to organized efforts aimed at improving legal, political, economic, and social status of women in society. It began in earnest with Seneca Falls Convention in mid-19th century America.Women's Temperance Movement
: The Women’s Temperance Movement was a social movement led by women who were concerned about the destructive power of alcohol and its effects on families. They campaigned for stricter laws around alcohol consumption.
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