Us History

Assignment information

For this assignment, you will answer guiding questions that correspond to the AP® US History learning objectives for this time period. In addition, you will identify important terms, events, and people to ensure you have achieved the appropriate depth of knowledge for this era.  

In addition, you should review the AP US History thematic learning objectives and key concepts for this time period. You can find this information in the AP United States History Course and Exam Description, which you can download at the College Board website here: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-history

All multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions on the AP US History exam directly address one or more of the thematic learning objectives or key concepts provided in this document.

Directions

Step 1: As you progress through the video and reading lessons in this unit, take notes on the guiding questions and important terms.  

1. Remember to save your work as you go.
2. Ask your teacher if you have questions about how to complete this assignment.
3. You will have the opportunity to turn this assignment in at the end of the unit.

Section I:  Guiding questions

These guiding questions reflect the important concepts and thematic learning objectives for this time period. Take notes on these topics as you progress through the video and reading lessons in this unit, and then craft a thorough response. Be sure to include specific details, facts, and evidence to support your conclusions.

1. How did economic interests, cultural factors, and political ambitions contribute to an unprecedented territorial expansion from 1844–1860?

With territorial expansion came economic development that fed growing regional tensions. In the northern states, economic development ushered in the early stages of industrialization, a transportation revolution, and the creation of a market system. The North's cities flourished on a rising tide of immigration, and its newly opened territories were cultivated by growing numbers of family farms. The South followed a dramatically different course, however, staking its expansion on the cotton economy and the growth of slavery. While white Southerners fiercely defended this exploitive economic and social system, millions of African American slaves struggled to shape their own lives through family, religion, and resistance. 

1. How did economic differences and political conflicts from 1848–1860 bring the nation into the Civil War?

The Southern states that seceded and were known as the Confederate States of America, wanted for slavery to always be legal and not be contained to only the South. As Abraham Lincoln came into office promising the control of slavery, the Southern states took it as the last straw for slaves wer property and the constitution states that the government has no right to a mans property, which led the southern states to seced.

1. How did the leadership of Abraham Lincoln contribute to the Union victory in the Civil War?

Abraham Lincoln was always an advocate for the control of slavery, so this allowed Lincoln to realize help could be achieved by allowing African Americans to fight and not lose major battles.

1. In what two ways was 1863 a turning point year in the Civil War?

On July 4, 1863, the most important Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River, Vicksburg, Mississippi, surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. The previous day the union defeated Robert E. Lee in the Battle of Gettysburg.

1. What transformations were brought to the lives of African Americans as a result of the Civil War and Reconstruction? In what ways did their situation not see a major improvement?

African American lives improved in the sense that the 14th and 15th amendments allowed African Americans to vote and own land as white men were able to but there was not much improvement in the sense that they were still seen as unequals in the eyes of the Supreme Court.

1. Why did Reconstruction fail to produce the intended lasting effects that many sought?

Reconstruction plan failed to produce the intended lasting effects because the Supreme Court rejecting total equality for African Americans allowed many white men and women to treat African Americans as if they were still slaves, taking a step back instead of forward.

Section II: Important terms, events, and people

For each of the following, describe its characteristics, explain its significance, or identify relevant causes and effects:

Manifest Destiny- The Western territories were rightfully owned by American Colonist, even as Native American Indians lived on the lands, and were suposedly ready to be claimed. Democrats supported M.D., while the whigs declined M.D. Some consequences were that other countries interested in North America were conflicted about the new ideas, drove Indians out of their home lands, and helped in the election of James K. Polk. Expand, Democracy, Christianity.

Oregon Fever- 1842 Many Eastern and Midwestern farmers and city dwellers were dissatisfied with their lives and began moving up the Oregon trail to the Willamette Valley. This free land was widely publicized.

Wilmot Proviso- stated that slavery should not exist in any of the Mexican cession it passed House, but not Senate

Free-Soil movement- opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories, arguing that free men on free soil comprised a morally and economically superior system to slavery.

forty-niners- 77,000 men who rushed to California in 1849 at news of gold discovery.

Compromise of 1850- New Fugitive Slave Act; Admitted California as a free state; Resolved a boundary issue between Texas and New Mexico; Abolished the slave trade in Colombia; Organized the remaining Mexican lands to Utah and New Mexico and invoking popular sovereignty left the choice to the states. This compromise kept the nation united but the southerners remained in fear of a upcoming secession, so began to gather money, arms, and ammunition, preparing for what was to come.