Documents
Manifest Destiny
John O'Sullivan; Justified U.S. territorial expansion as a divine right, fueling westward movement and conflicts with Native peoples. Popularized in the 1840s during westward expansion, Mexican-American War, and debates over slavery’s spread.
US Constitution
Constitutional ConventionEstablished a strong federal government with checks and balances and replaced the Articles of Confederation. Drafted in 1787 in response to the failure of the Articles, amid concerns over federal authority and unity.
James K. Polk
A protégé of Andrew Jackson and a member of the Democratic Party. Polk led the U.S. into the Mexican–American War; PRO- war with mexico
Dred Scott Decision
(1857) Roger B. Taney (Supreme Court) ruled that Black Americans were not citizens and that Congress couldn't ban slavery in territories. 1857 Supreme Court ruling heightened tensions over slavery by invalidating federal authority to regulate it.
Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln; Reaffirmed the principles of liberty and equality; honored those who died at Gettysburg. Delivered in 1863 after the Battle of Gettysburg, honoring fallen soldiers and emphasizing democracy.
Remember The Ladies; "Letters"
Abigail and John Adams; Showcased early debates on women’s rights and the role of women in the new republic (e.g., Abigail’s 'remember the ladies'). Exchanged during the American Revolution, reflecting Enlightenment ideals and early feminist voices.
Federalist Papers
Madison, Hamilton, Jay; Promoted ratification of the Constitution and explained the rationale behind its structure and principles. Written in 1787–88 to support the Constitution amid fears of centralized government by Anti-Federalists.
Joshua R. Giddings
American attorney, politician and abolitionist; ANTI- war with mexico
South Carolina Declaration of Secession
SC Secession ConventionJustified secession by citing threats to slavery and states’ rights, leading directly to the Civil War. Issued in 1860, shortly after Lincoln’s election, citing perceived Northern hostility to slavery.
Kansas-Nebraska Act
Stephen A. Douglas; Allowed territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty, undoing the Missouri Compromise. Passed in 1854, it repealed the Missouri Compromise and increased sectional conflict, leading to violence in Kansas.
Common Sense
Thomas Payne; Inspired American colonists to seek independence from Britain by presenting strong arguments in simple language. Written in 1776, during growing tension between the colonies and Britain amid the Revolutionary War.
Hamilton's Financial Plan
Alexander Hamilton; Established the financial system of the U.S., including a national bank, tariffs, and federal assumption of state debts. Proposed in the 1790s to stabilize the new economy after the Revolution and fund Revolutionary War debt.
Abraham Lincoln
16th president of the US; Emancipation Proclamation, National Unionist. Lincoln Speech. Defended the Union and slavery’s eventual abolition, especially in speeches like the Cooper Union or Second Inaugural. Emphasized union, liberty, and morality.
Emancipation Proclamation freed enslaved people in Confederate states and redefined the Civil War as a fight against slavery. Issued in 1863 during the Civil War to weaken the Confederacy and redefine the war’s purpose.
Compromise of 1850
Henry Clay; Temporarily resolved slavery disputes by allowing California as a free state and strengthening the Fugitive Slave Law. Passed in 1850 to resolve disputes from Mexican Cession lands and preserve Union amid slavery tensions.
Gospel of Wealth
Andrew Carnegie; Argued that the wealthy have a moral obligation to use their riches to benefit society. Published in 1889 during the Gilded Age to promote philanthropy and responsible wealth.
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson et al; Declared the colonies’ independence and outlined Enlightenment ideals of natural rights and government by consent. Drafted during the American Revolution to formally separate from British rule and assert Enlightenment values.
US Naturalization Act (1790)
U.S. Congress; Limited naturalization to ‘free white persons’, reflecting early racial and ethnic exclusion in U.S. citizenship laws. Passed during early nationhood; reflected xenophobia and aimed to shape the character of the new citizenry.
Woodrow Wilson
Declaration of Neutrality: Outlined U.S. neutrality in WWI before entering the conflict. Issued in 1914, reflecting U.S. isolationist tendencies at WWI's start.
Wilson’s message to Congress; asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany. Delivered in 1917 after repeated German submarine attacks.
Wilson declaration of War; marked U.S. entry into WWI to protect democracy and respond to threats. April 1917: U.S. formally joins WWI after threats and provocations.
Plessy v. Ferguson
U.S. Supreme Court; Established ‘separate but equal’ doctrine, legalizing racial segregation for decades. Decided in 1896 during Reconstruction’s rollback; legalized segregation until overturned in 1954.
Chinese Exclusion Act
U.S. Congress; Barred Chinese immigrants, reflecting widespread anti-Asian sentiment and nativism. Passed in 1882 due to anti-Chinese sentiment and labor fears in the western U.S.
Articles of Confederation
Continental Congress; Created the first U.S. government framework, emphasizing state sovereignty but lacking central authority. Created post-independence (1777) to form a loose alliance among the 13 states with limited federal power.
US Fugitive Slave Act (1793)
U.S. Congress;Required that escaped enslaved people be returned to their enslavers, reinforcing federal support of slavery. Passed amid tensions between North and South; strengthened protections for slavery across state lines.
John F. Kennedy
President Kennedy’s Address to the American People; Defended civil rights and proposed new initiatives post-crisis. 1963 speech after Birmingham, calling for civil rights legislation.
Native American Assimilation
Acts written by U.S. Congress that sought to assimilate Native Americans via boarding schools and land allotment policies. Passed in the late 19th century as part of U.S. policy to assimilate Native Americans.
Wealth Against Commonwealth
Henry Demarest Lloyd; Criticized monopolies and unfair corporate practices, advocating for economic justice. Written in 1894 amid public anger at monopolies and corporate corruption.