APUSH Period 5 Key Concepts and Timeline
The APUSH Period 5 key concepts timeline covers the years 1844 to 1877, a crucial era in American history marked by expansion, conflict, and reconstruction. This period is characterized by three main concepts that shaped the nation's development.
Key Concept 5.1: Expansionist Foreign Policy
The United States pursued an expansionist foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere during this period. This concept is exemplified by events such as the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
Highlight: The Mexican-American War significantly expanded U.S. territory, adding vast areas that would later become states like California and New Mexico.
Key Concept 5.2: Debates Over Slavery and Other Issues
This period saw intense debates over slavery, as well as other political, economic, and cultural issues. These debates are reflected in events such as the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.
Definition: The Compromise of 1850 was a series of laws that attempted to balance the interests of slave states and free states, including the controversial Fugitive Slave Act.
Key Concept 5.3: Civil War and Its Aftermath
The Union victory in the Civil War (1861-1865) led to new questions about federal government power and citizenship rights. This concept encompasses the Reconstruction era and its challenges.
Example: The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, known as the Reconstruction Amendments, significantly expanded civil rights and federal power.
Timeline of Key Events
- 1846-1848: Mexican-American War
- 1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
- 1849: California Gold Rush
- 1850: Compromise of 1850
- 1854: Kansas-Nebraska Act
- 1857: Dred Scott v. Sandford decision
- 1860: Election of Abraham Lincoln
- 1861-1865: Civil War
- 1862: Homestead Act
- 1863: Emancipation Proclamation and Battle of Gettysburg
- 1865: 13th Amendment ratified
- 1877: Compromise of 1877 ends Reconstruction
Vocabulary: Reconstruction refers to the period of rebuilding and reunification of the United States following the Civil War.
This APUSH Period 5 summary highlights the complex interplay of expansion, conflict over slavery, and the reshaping of American society and government in the aftermath of the Civil War. Understanding these key concepts and events is crucial for students preparing for the APUSH exam and developing a comprehensive view of this transformative period in American history.
