This period explores the transformative decades marked by westward expansion, sectional division, and Civil War, culminating in Reconstruction, shaping America’s unity and identity.
1.1. Key Themes and Overview
APUSH Period 5 covers 1844-1877, focusing on themes like Manifest Destiny, sectionalism, and the Civil War. It highlights westward expansion, slavery debates, and Reconstruction, shaping America’s political and social landscape. Key events include territorial expansion, the Civil War’s outbreak, and efforts to rebuild the nation post-war, addressing unity, freedom, and equality.
1.2. Major Events and Timeline
Key events in Period 5 include the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), the Compromise of 1850, the Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854), the Civil War (1861-1865), and Reconstruction (1865-1877). These events shaped territorial expansion, heightened sectional tensions, and led to the abolition of slavery, followed by efforts to redefine citizenship and rebuild the nation.
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Manifest Destiny drove U.S. territorial expansion, fueled by the belief in American exceptionalism and the desire to spread democracy, leading to significant land acquisition and cultural shifts.
2.1. The Concept of Manifest Destiny
Manifest Destiny was the 19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America, driven by ideals of American exceptionalism, democracy, and territorial ambition, shaping westward expansion and national identity.
2.2. The Mexican-American War and Territorial Expansion
The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) resulted in the U.S. gaining vast territories, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, significantly expanding U.S. land and fulfilling Manifest Destiny.
2.3. The Annexation of Texas and Oregon
The Annexation of Texas in 1845 and the Oregon Treaty of 1846 expanded U.S. territory, with Texas joining as a state and Oregon secured from Britain. These actions fueled Manifest Destiny, increased sectional tensions over slavery, and solidified U.S. claims to the Pacific Northwest, reshaping the nation’s geographic and political landscape.
The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 aimed to balance power between slave and free states, admitting California as free, strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act, and addressing territorial disputes, temporarily easing sectional tensions over slavery.
3.1. Causes of the Compromise
Sectional tensions over slavery’s expansion, exacerbated by the Mexican-American War’s territorial gains, led to the Compromise of 1850. Southern demands for stronger fugitive slave laws and Northern resistance to slavery in new territories created a volatile political climate, prompting Congress to seek a balance to preserve the Union and avoid conflict.
3.2. Key Provisions of the Compromise
The Compromise of 1850 included admitting California as a free state, organizing Utah and New Mexico territories with popular sovereignty, strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act, and banning the slave trade in Washington, D.C. These measures aimed to balance power between free and slave states, temporarily easing sectional tensions over slavery.
3.3; Impact on Sectional Tensions
The Compromise of 1850 temporarily relieved sectional tensions but ultimately intensified them. It failed to address the root causes of slavery disputes, emboldening both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions. The strengthened Fugitive Slave Act angered Northerners, while the admission of California as a free state frustrated Southerners, deepening the divide that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
Sectionalism and the Lead-Up to the Civil War
Sectionalism intensified as Northern and Southern economies diverged, with slavery at the core of political and social tensions, leading to escalating conflicts and eventual secession.
4.1. The Kansas-Nebraska Act and Bleeding Kansas
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 repealed the Missouri Compromise, allowing slavery in new territories through popular sovereignty. This ignited violent clashes in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, known as “Bleeding Kansas,” escalating sectional tensions and pushing the nation closer to civil war by highlighting the deepening divide over slavery.
4.2. The Dred Scott Decision
The 1857 Dred Scott Decision ruled that African Americans were not citizens and had no rights under the Constitution, upholding slavery. The Supreme Court declared the Missouri Compromise unconstitutional, allowing slavery in new territories, further polarizing the nation and intensifying sectional tensions over slavery, contributing to the lead-up to the Civil War.
4.3. Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party
Abraham Lincoln emerged as a leader of the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery. His 1860 election, with a platform of stopping slavery’s spread, triggered Southern secession. Lincoln’s commitment to preserving the Union and ending slavery shaped his leadership during the Civil War, cementing his legacy as a unifying figure.
The Civil War (1861-1865)
The Civil War (1861-1865) was fought over sectional tensions, primarily slavery. Key battles and the Emancipation Proclamation shaped the conflict, leading to the Union’s ultimate victory.
5.1. Major Battles and Turning Points
Key battles like Fort Sumter, First Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, and Atlanta shaped the war. Antietam led to the Emancipation Proclamation, while Gettysburg halted the Confederate invasion. Vicksburg’s fall split the Confederacy, and Sherman’s March weakened Southern morale. These battles were crucial in shifting momentum and leading to the Union’s ultimate victory.
5.2. The Emancipation Proclamation
Issued by President Lincoln in 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for enslaved people in Confederate states. It applied only to areas outside Union control, exempting border states. While not immediately freeing all slaves, it shifted the war’s purpose to include ending slavery and laid the groundwork for the 13th Amendment, altering public opinion and international support for the Union.
5.3. The Impact of the War on Society
The Civil War profoundly reshaped American society, leading to the abolition of slavery and a more centralized federal government. It spurred industrialization in the North while devastating the Southern economy. The war also caused unprecedented loss of life, fostering a sense of national identity and raising questions about racial equality and reconstruction efforts.
Reconstruction (1865-1877)
Reconstruction was a transformative era aiming to rebuild the South and integrate freed slaves into society. It saw the abolition of slavery, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and radical changes in Southern governance, but faced resistance, leading to the rise of Jim Crow laws and ongoing racial tensions.
6.1. The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery nationwide, the 14th granted citizenship to African Americans, and the 15th protected voting rights for Black men, collectively reshaping civil rights and federal authority.
6.2. Radical Reconstruction and Its Challenges
Radical Reconstruction, led by Congress, aimed to reshape the South by ensuring Black rights, with measures like the Freedmen’s Bureau and requiring states to grant voting rights to African American men. However, challenges arose, including President Johnson’s vetoes, the rise of white supremacist groups like the KKK, and ongoing economic and social resistance in the South.
6.3. The End of Reconstruction and Its Legacy
Reconstruction ended in 1877 with the Compromise, withdrawing federal troops from the South. This led to the rise of Jim Crow laws and the suppression of Black rights. The era’s legacy includes the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments but also the persistence of racial inequality, shaping the South and civil rights struggles for decades to come.
Key Figures of Period 5
Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Robert E. Lee were pivotal figures shaping the era’s political, social, and military landscapes during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
7.1. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln played a pivotal role as the 16th President, guiding the nation through the Civil War and ultimately abolishing slavery. His leadership strengthened federal authority, and his Gettysburg Address redefined American democracy. Lincoln’s commitment to preserving the Union and ending slavery left a lasting legacy, shaping the course of American history.
7.2. Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass was a former slave turned prominent abolitionist, orator, and writer. His autobiography exposed slavery’s brutality, fueling the abolitionist movement. Douglass advocated for equal rights and suffrage, becoming a key figure in the fight against slavery and a vocal supporter of women’s rights, leaving a lasting impact on American social justice movements during and after the Civil War era.
7.3. Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee was a skilled Confederate general during the Civil War, leading forces with strategic brilliance. His surrender at Appomattox marked the war’s end. Lee’s decision to fight for the Confederacy, despite opposing secession, reflected his loyalty to Virginia. His legacy remains complex, symbolizing both military prowess and the divisive ideals of the Confederacy, sparking ongoing debates about his role in American history.
The Transcontinental Railroad and Economic Development
The Transcontinental Railroad, completed in 1869, revolutionized transportation, boosting economic growth and national unity by connecting the East and West coasts, facilitating trade and migration.
8.1. Construction and Impact
The Transcontinental Railroad, built between 1863 and 1869, connected the East and West coasts, reducing travel time and costs. It spurred economic growth by facilitating trade, migration, and the transportation of goods, while also uniting the nation geographically and culturally, though its construction relied heavily on immigrant labor under harsh conditions.
8.2. Effects on Native American Populations
The Transcontinental Railroad devastated Native American tribes, displacing them from ancestral lands and disrupting their resources. Additionally, it facilitated U.S. military expansion, leading to increased violence and forced relocation. The construction also introduced diseases and further eroded Native American sovereignty, exacerbating their marginalization and cultural destruction during this period of rapid American expansion.
Political and Social Changes
Significant changes emerged as industrialization reshaped the economy and society. Women’s rights and abolitionist movements gained momentum, while political ideologies shifted, reshaping the nation’s cultural and legal landscape.
9.1. The Rise of Industrialization
Industrialization transformed the U.S. economy during this period, driven by advancements in technology and transportation. Railroads expanded, connecting regions and boosting trade. The steel and coal industries grew rapidly, fostering urbanization and factory systems. Immigrants and workers filled labor demands, leading to the rise of labor unions and social reforms to address harsh working conditions.
9.2. Women’s Rights and the Abolitionist Movement
The abolitionist movement and women’s rights intersected, fueled by shared ideals of equality. Women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony emerged as leaders, advocating for suffrage. The Seneca Falls Convention marked a milestone, while figures like Frederick Douglass supported both causes. These efforts laid the groundwork for future reforms, including the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.
Study Tips for APUSH Period 5
Focus on understanding key themes, memorize important terms, and practice essay questions. Utilize study guides, flashcards, and resources like Kaplan’s notes and Quizlet for effective preparation.
10.1. Key Terms and Concepts to Memorize
Memorize essential terms like Manifest Destiny, Mexican-American War, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Dred Scott Decision, Emancipation Proclamation, Reconstruction Amendments, and Transcontinental Railroad. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing the period’s themes and events. Use flashcards and study guides to reinforce these terms effectively.
10.2. Practice Essay Questions and Strategies
Practice essay questions on topics like the causes of the Civil War, the impact of the 13th Amendment, and the effects of westward expansion. Use strategies such as analyzing primary sources, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, and incorporating specific examples. Focus on clear thesis statements, structured paragraphs, and evidence-based arguments to excel in APUSH essays.
10.3. Recommended Resources and Study Guides
Utilize study guides like Kaplan’s AP US History notes and Quizlet flashcards for key terms. Explore online resources such as APUSH Explained for detailed period breakdowns. Review past exam questions and sample essays to refine your writing skills. Additionally, consult the College Board’s official study materials and cross-platform tools for interactive learning.