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Attempts to maintain the Union, c1845–1854 key terms
Study Attempts to maintain the Union, c1845–1854 with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.
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key terms
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Attempts to maintain the Union, c1845–1854
Key terms
Fugitive Slave Act
A law that required the return of runaway slaves to their owners, part of the Compromise of 1850.
Gold Rush
A mass migration to California following the discovery of gold in 1848, significantly impacting westward expansion.
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that the settlers of a territory should determine whether slavery would be allowed there.
Sectionalism
Loyalty to a particular region or section of the country, often leading to conflict over issues like slavery.
Abolitionism
A movement aimed at ending slavery and promoting equal rights for all individuals.
Radical Abolitionism
A more extreme form of abolitionism that advocated for immediate emancipation and often employed militant tactics.
Abolitionism
A movement aimed at ending slavery and promoting the rights of enslaved people, gaining momentum in the United States during the early to mid-19th century.
Pro-slavery literature
Writings produced in the South that defended the institution of slavery, portraying it as beneficial and necessary for Southern society.
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