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Manifest Destiny
It was a 19th-century belief Americas inherent right to expand westward. Fueled by the idea of racial superiority it justified territorial purchase. It found expression in the annexation of Texas Oregon Trail migrations, and the Mexican-American War. Critics argued it masked imperialistic motives exacerbating tensions over slavery. The concept symbolized Americas quest for continental dominance, leaving a lasting impact on national identity and shaping the nation's westward expansion narrative. -
Missouri Compromise
Started in 1820, was an effort to keep a balance between the free and slave states in the U.S. One key thing was the addition of Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state. Additionally it established a line where slavery would be prohibited in the Louisiana Purchase territory north of that line. This compromise although a temporary solution highlighted the growing sectional tensions over the issue of slavery that would eventually lead to more significant conflicts in the years to come -
Texas annexation
Completed in 1845 was an important event in US history. The Republic of Texas established after gaining independence from Mexico,sought to join the US despite concerns about potential sectional tensions over slavery President Tyler signed the annexation resolution. The move triggered the Mexican-American War as Mexico disputed Texas's southern border. Texas joining the Union as a slave state fueled the debates over the expansion of slavery contributing to the nations descent into the Civil War. -
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Mexican–American War
The war started from border disputes and manifest destiny. The annexation of Texas by the U.S. fueled tensions, and the conflict erupted over the Rio Grande border. Another reason that this war started was because of slavery.Many Americans started bring slavery into Mexico , ceding vast territories to the U.S. like California and New Mexico for $15 million. The war intensified debates on the expansion of slavery, contributing to the sectional divide leading up to the Civil War. -
Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 aimed to ease tensions between slave and free states. It included the admission of California as a free state, the creation of the Fugitive Slave Act, and organizing the Utah and New Mexico territories without specifying slavery. Senator Douglas played a crucial role in its passage. While it temporarily preserved the Union, it intensified the slavery debate, foreshadowing the deeper conflicts that would culminate in the American Civil War. -
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Bleeding Kansas
This refers to the violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in the Kansas Territory during the 1850s. The Kansas-Nebraska Act's policy of popular sovereignty intensified the struggle. Events like the Pottawatomie massacre and the sacking of Lawrence heightened tensions, reflecting the broader sectional discord over slavery. The conflict in Kansas became a precursor to the Civil War, illustrating the deep divisions that would soon engulf the entire nation. -
Formation of the Republican Party
Emerged in the 1850 as an anti-slavery union uniting various factions discontented with the spread of slavery. Formed in response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, it attracted Soilers, abolitionists, and anti-slavery parties. The first candidate was John Fremont. The Party quickly gained traction in the North providing a political platform that opposed the extension of slavery in new territories. Its formation was a pivotal moment in American politics shaping the dynamics that led to the Civil War. -
Election of 1860
The pivotal election of 1860 featured Abraham Lincoln as the Republican candidate. His victory, fueled by northern and western support, that triggered Southern secession. The Democratic Party split over the issue of slavery, with Stephen Douglas as the Northern candidate and John Breckinridge as the Southern candidate. Lincoln's win highlighted regional tensions, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. -
The Battle of Fort Sumter
The Battle of Fort Sumter marked the start of the American Civil War. Confederate forces, led by General Beauregard, bombarded the federal garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Despite good defense by Union Major Anderson, the fort surrendered. This event shocked both the North and South, intensifying hostilities and propelling the nation into a devastating conflict that would last four years. -
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Southern Secession
Southern secession refers to the withdrawal of 11 Southern states from the Union in 1860-1861, leading to the American Civil War. Driven by economic, cultural, and political differences, primarily due to slavery, they formed the Confederate States of America. Tensions escalated, starting with the attack on Fort Sumter in 1861, triggering the war. The conflict reshaped the nation, ultimately preserving the Union and prompting profound social and political changes.