APUSH Unit 9 Review: The Antebellum Era (1800-1860) Unit 9 Review Tables

Overview:

Unit 9 of APUSH covers the Antebellum Era, a period of significant political, economic, and social transformations in the United States leading up to the Civil War. This review provides a comprehensive guide to the key themes, events, and figures of this era.

Key Concepts:

• Manifest Destiny: The belief that the United States was destined to expand westward across the North American continent.
• Industrial Revolution: The shift from agricultural to industrial production, leading to the rise of factories, cities, and transportation networks.
• Market Revolution: The growth of a capitalist economy and the rise of the middle class.
• Sectionalism: Growing tensions between the North and South over slavery, economic differences, and political power.
• Abolitionism: The movement to end slavery.

Major Events:

• Louisiana Purchase (1803): The United States doubled in size with the acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France.
• War of 1812 (1812-1815): A conflict with Great Britain that boosted American nationalism.
• Missouri Compromise (1820): An agreement that temporarily resolved the issue of slavery in the territories.
• Indian Removal Act (1830): The forced relocation of Native American tribes from the East to the West.
• Nullification Crisis (1832): South Carolina’s challenge to federal authority over tariffs.
• Texas Revolution (1836): The independence of Texas from Mexico, adding a large slave state to the Union.
• Mexican-American War (1846-1848): A conflict that resulted in the United States acquiring much of the present-day Southwestern United States.
• Compromise of 1850: Another attempt to resolve the slavery issue, including the Fugitive Slave Act.
• Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854): A controversial law that repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed popular sovereignty in the territories.
• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857): A Supreme Court ruling that denied citizenship to African Americans.
• John Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry (1859): An abolitionist attack on a federal arsenal that further inflamed tensions.

Key Figures:

• Thomas Jefferson: The third President of the United States, who acquired the Louisiana Territory.
• Andrew Jackson: The seventh President, known for his support of Manifest Destiny and Indian Removal.
• Henry Clay: A leading advocate of compromise, including the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850.
• William Lloyd Garrison: An abolitionist who founded the newspaper The Liberator.
• Harriet Beecher Stowe: An author whose novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” exposed the horrors of slavery.
• Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President, who played a key role in preserving the Union during the Civil War.

Economic and Social Developments:

• Rise of the Cotton Kingdom: The South became increasingly dependent on cotton production, fueling its economy but also strengthening the institution of slavery.
• Transportation Revolution: Improvements in transportation, such as steamboats and railroads, facilitated the movement of goods and people across the nation.
• Urbanization: Cities grew rapidly, providing opportunities for jobs and social interaction but also leading to overcrowding and social problems.
• Education Reform: Reformers advocated for expanding access to education, including for women and African Americans.

Political Debates:

• Slavery: The central issue of the era, dividing the country into Northern states opposed to slavery and Southern states where it was an integral part of the economy.
• Tariff Policy: The North supported tariffs to protect American industries, while the South opposed them as a tax on its exports.
• States’ Rights: Southern states argued for the right to nullify federal laws, while the North insisted on federal supremacy.
• Territorial Expansion: The issue of slavery in new territories became a major source of tension between the North and South.

Conclusion:

The Antebellum Era was a period of profound changes and social divisions that laid the groundwork for the American Civil War. By understanding the key themes, events, and figures of this era, students can gain a deeper appreciation of the complex forces that shaped the United States in the 19th century.

Table 1: Key Events of the Antebellum Era

Table 2: Key Figures of the Antebellum Era

Table 3: Key Economic and Social Developments

Table 4: Key Political Debates