Key US History Topics: Reforms and Conflicts

Progressive Era Goals

Five primary goals sought during this era:

1. Spread democracy across the U.S. and globally.
2. Limit the power of big business.
3. Bring about better government structures.
4. Government intervention to aid the poor.
5. Increase government regulation across industries.

Theodore Roosevelt's Achievements

Despite early health struggles with asthma, Theodore Roosevelt overcame obstacles to become Governor and later President. Key accomplishments include:

• Establishing national parks and wildlife preserves.
• Enacting the Pure Food & Drug Act.
• Limiting the power of large corporations.

Eight Major Antebellum Events

These events significantly shaped the path to the Civil War:

1. The Compromise of 1850
2. Uncle Tom's Cabin
3. Dred Scott v. Sandford
4. The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)
5. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858)
6. Lincoln's Election as President (1860)
7. John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry
8. Secession

Grant's Indian Policy

The policy focused on:

• Relocating Native Americans onto reservations.
• Promoting assimilation into white culture (e.g., speaking English).
• Contributing to the destruction of the buffalo population.

Explaining the Great Awakenings

These periods of religious revival influenced social change, contributing to:

• The movement for the abolishment of slavery.
• The belief that all people are equal before God.
• Increased scrutiny of political candidates by the public.

The Compromise of 1850 Details

1. California was admitted to the Union as a free state.
2. The remaining territories could vote on whether to be free or slave states (popular sovereignty).
3. Slavery was abolished in Washington D.C.
4. The Fugitive Slave Act was strengthened.

The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854)

This act introduced popular sovereignty, a compromise proposed by Stephen Douglas, allowing states to vote directly on the issue of slavery.

Uncle Tom's Cabin

A powerful book written by Harriet Beecher Stowe that exposed the harsh truths about the treatment of enslaved people.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

Dred Scott sued for his freedom after residing in Illinois. After his owner died, Scott believed he was free. The Supreme Court ruled against Scott, affirming that enslaved or formerly enslaved persons were not citizens.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates (1858)

A series of debates across Illinois. Douglas advocated for popular sovereignty, while Lincoln argued that the nation could not permanently exist half-slave and half-free.

Lincoln's Election as President

Running as the Republican candidate against Douglas, Lincoln won the presidency with 43% of the popular vote.

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry

John Brown, along with his sons and several runaway slaves, attempted to seize the federal arsenal located at Harpers Ferry, Maryland.

Secession: Key Legal Questions

The act of secession raised critical constitutional questions:

1. Can a state legally leave the Union?
2. Can a state seize federal property located within its borders and claim it?
3. Is an elected president legally obligated to protect U.S. government property during secession?

Six Key Technologies of the Era

1. Windmill
2. Six-shooter (revolver)
3. Barbed wire
4. Sod houses
5. Railroads
6. Steel plow