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THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 1492-1877. LECTURE 8 THE ROAD TO THE CIVIL WAR. THE WESTWARD EXPANSION. Although the Westward expansion resulted in the greatest territorial growth, there were preceding events
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THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 1492-1877 LECTURE 8 THE ROAD TO THE CIVIL WAR
THE WESTWARD EXPANSION • Although the Westward expansion resulted in the greatest territorial growth, there were preceding events • 1763 Proclamation, preventing the establishment of settlements across the Appalachian Mountains • 1803 Louisiana Purchase
THE WESTWARD EXPANSION • Mass migration of people 1820’s-1848 • Ideology: Manifest Destiny • 1845 John L. Sullivan: • “Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions”
REASONS FOR MOVING WEST • Spreading Christianity • Promoting democracy • Need for land • Need for harbors for trade with the Far East (San Francisco, Seattle) • “Go west young man!” individual opportunities
CONFLICT WITH INDIANS • Thomas Jefferson in Declaration of Independence: Merciless savages • Andrew Jackson: obstacles to civilization • 1830 Indian Removal Act • 1838 Trail of Tears 15,000 Cherokees depart, 9.000 arrive to west of the Mississippi • Causes of the defeat of Indians: • Lack of unity • Repeating rifle, colt, eliminating the buffalo
CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH • Settlement at the Oregon Territory • Oregon territory was controlled by 4 countries England, Spain, Russia, and U.S. • Spain and Russia gave up claim as of 1818: Joint Occupation • 1840’s Oregon trail • mass migration from St. Louis or Independence Missouri to west, • St. Louis to Rockies, Fort Bridger, go northwest Oregon, go south: Texas Trail
CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH • 1841: Oregon Fever 2,000 mile trek • Prairie Schooners, Conestoga wagons, ox drawn, canvas covered wagons, • Crucial role for women: holding the family together • By 1845 Americans outnumber British • Americans demand Oregon, “54.40 or fight!” • 1846 British give up claim • 1848: Westward expansion reaches its goal
CONFLICT WITH MEXICO • 1809 Mexico becomes independent from Spain • Controls the Texas Territory • Stephen Austin leads Americans settling in Texas • Cultural conflict with Mexicans • Cause: religion,Settlers are Protestants and have slaves • Mexicans: Catholics, reject slavery • Mexico prohibits further American settlement
CONFLICT WITH MEXICO • 1835 30,000 Americans live in Texas, outnumbering Mexicans • Illegal American immigration to Mexico • 1832-33 Americans organize conventions to demand representation and greater political power • 1834 General Santa Anna becomes dictator, • 1836 Texans rebel, declare their independence
BATTLE OF THE ALAMO • February 23 1836 • William B. Travis colonel, commander of the fort • James Bowie, Davy Crockett, • Heroic defense, but Alamo falls 188 Americans and Texans defend against 4,000 Mexicans outcome: defeat, but “Remember the Alamo!”
CONFLICT WITH MEXICO • 1836: Texas becomes independent country The Lone Star Republic • President Sam Huston, slavery is allowed • Texas applies for annexation, but 1845 Texas is annexed • 1846-1848 • Mexican-American War • President: James K. Polk expansionist president • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848
CONFLICT WITH MEXICO • Texas Territory (California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) is ceded by Mexico • Significance of the war: • First aggressive war • Professional army • Manifest destiny is reality, Pacific Ocean is reached
SLAVERY AS A MORAL CRISIS • Abolition movement • Frederick Douglass 1845: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave • 1831 William Lloyd Garrison The Liberator • 1831 Nat Turner rebellion • White abolitionists: reject gradual emancipation • Garrison: “I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject I do not wish to think, to speak, or write with moderation” • Underground Railroad, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman • Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1851 Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery is morally bankrupt,Evil institution
SLAVERY AS A POLITICAL CRISIS • Popular sovereignty • Compromise of 1850 • Fugitive Slave Act slaves can be returnedto the South • California enters the Union • Bleeding Kansas 1854-56 • Federal govt. wants to extend railroad • Vote on slavery • Territory is divided • Prelude to the Civil War
RISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY • 1854 Establishment of the Republican Party • Against slavery only in the new territories in the West, not in the South! • But Southerners feel threat • Election of 1860 • Four candidates • John Bell, John Breckinridge, Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln • Lincoln’s election scares the South
SLAVERY AS A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS • 1857 Dread Scott v. Sanford • Can a free state give freedom to a former slave? • Answer: no, outlawing the Missouri Compromise • By 1860: Country is at the gate of collapse