Chapter 7Chapter 7

Western Expansion 1783-1850

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

Manifest Destiny

Some Americans believed that it was their nation’s manifest destiny, or obvious or undeniable fate, to extend its reach from the Atlantic to the Pacific

“Manifest Destiny”“Manifest Destiny”

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845.

First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. ".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."

".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federaltive development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth."

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

Origins of Westward Expansion: the Northwest Ordinance (1787)

After the French and Indian War, Britain took possession of the Northwest Territory (area north of Ohio and east of the Mississippi River- Great Lakes region). But Proclamation of 1763 forbade American colonists from settling there.

After the American Revolution, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. The law divided the area into smaller territories and provided guidelines for statehood.

It resulted in the formation of 5 states: Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

The NW Ordinance made slavery illegal in the new territory. The issue of slavery would continue to arise as America expanded west.

Northwest Ordinance

Louisiana Purchase & Oregon Trail (1803) The Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size

of the United States. Under the Land Act of 1800, Americans were

able to buy land in the western territories in small parcels and on credit.

This led to rapid migration on the Oregon Trail.

Louisiana Purchase

Expansion Continues: The Missouri Compromise

In 1819, Congress began debating the admission of the state of Missouri to the United States. The basic issue at stake was slavery.

Several members of Congress from the North objected to Missouri’s admission as a slave state, fearing that this would upset the balance of free and slave states in the South’s favor.

A compromise known as the Missouri Compromise, engineered by Henry Clay, resolved the issue. Under the Missouri Compromise, Missouri would enter the United States as a slave state, Maine would enter as a free state, and all new states created above 360 30' N latitude (the southern border of Missouri) would have to be free states.

The economy soon improved, and politicians agreed to avoid the difficult issue of slavery. However, the questions raised by these issues would soon be impossible to ignore.

Chapter 6, Section 5

Overland Immigration to the West

Overland Immigration to the West

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.

Texas: independence & Annexation In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain. They also gained control of Texas, a

region in which many US settlers lived. In 1834, General Santa Anna assumed power over the Mexican govt and tightened his

control over Texas. In response, Texans under the leadership of Sam Houston launched a rebellion. On March 2, 1836, a convention of TX delegates declared the territory an independent

republic. Santa Anna retaliated and the Texans took their stand against him at The Alamo. Every Texan was killed in the Battle of the Alamo (incl Davey Crockett). Eventually Santa Anna was defeated and taken hostage. In exchange for his freedom, Santa

Anna promised to recognize the Republic of TX as independent an withdrew his forces. Texas then asked to be annexed (made part of the US) and became a state in 1845. There's No Basement in the Alamo! Remember the Alamo!!1

Polk…Oregon

The annexation of Texas was a critical issue in the election of 1844. James K. Polk took a strong stand as the Democratic candidate, calling for the annexation of

both Texas and Oregon. Texas was admitted to the Union (as a slave state) in 1845, thanks to Polk. With the annexation of TX complete, Polk turned his attention to Oregon. After the Louisiana Purchase, US settlers began moving to Oregon, which was a territory

divided by Britain and the US. Polk argued that US had rightful claim to the territory. Britain agreed to give Oregon to the US so they could remain on friendly terms. In 1846, Oregon became part of the US. Thus, Polk had achieved Manifest Destiny. America now stretched from sea to shining sea!

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869

The Mexican WarMexico was angry with the US for annexing TX, but this did not deter Pres Polk from achieving Manifest Destiny!

Because Mexico refused to negotiate for the purchase of California and New Mexico, Polk declared war on Mexico in 1846.

By 1847, Mexico surrendered.

The Mexican War provided an opportunity to extend America’s borders across the continent.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

ended the Mexican War with substantial gains for the United States.

In the treaty, Mexico gave up its claims to Texas, California, and New Mexico in return for $15 million.

Five years later, Mexico sold more land to Pres Pierce for $10 mil. This Gadsden Purchase included land that became southern New Mexico and Arizona.

Results of the Mexican War The Mexican War, together with the

Gadsden Purchase and the 1846 division of Oregon, established the borders of the continental United States as they are today.

New American territory in the West opened the door to an even larger wave of western migration.

California Gold Rush

Trails WestwardTrails Westward

Gold Rush

After the Mexican War, settlers discovered gold just north of Sacramento, Cali.

This sparked the California Gold Rush of 1849. Settlers called 49ers began flocking to Cali to get

rich. California became a state in the Compromise of

1850.

Expanding Into Florida In 1795, the United States had signed the Pinckney Treaty with Spain. According to this treaty, Florida would be controlled by Spain, and the United States would be allowed free use of the Mississippi River through Spanish lands. In addition, both the United States and Spain agreed to control the Native Americans within their borders. The United States began acquiring parts of Florida in 1810, beginning with West Florida and parts of East Florida. While Spain was preoccupied with uprisings in its other colonies, the Seminoles, a Native American group living in Florida, increased their raids on settlements in northern Georgia. General Andrew Jackson, assigned to protect the settlers, thought that the United States should possess Florida. Jackson chose to invade Spanish Florida.

Chapter 7, Section 2

The Seminole WarsResponse to Jackson’s Invasion Jackson’s forces quickly swept through Florida. Although Congress threatened to condemn him, most Americans applauded his actions. President Monroe and his Secretary of State, John Quincy Adams, decided to make the best of Jackson’s actions. Monroe and Adams accused Spain of breaking the Pinckney Treaty by failing to control the Seminoles.

The Adams-Onís Treaty Spain was in a poor position to argue with the United States. Spanish representative Luiz de Onís and Adams developed the Adams-Onís Treaty. According to this treaty, Spain agreed to cede, or give up, Florida to the United States. The United States agreed to cede its claims to a huge territory in the present-day southwestern United States. The treaty also fixed the boundary between the Louisiana Purchase and Spanish territory in the West. Chapter 7, Section 2

Forcing Native Americans West

The Government’s Removal Plan Settlers seeking land west of the Appalachians did not want to compete with Native Americans. The government created a plan to pressure Native American groups to move further west to the Louisiana Territory, an area which lay well beyond current settlements and was seen as unfit for farming.

Native American Response While most Native American groups peacefully cooperated with federal agents, some fought bitterly against removal. Diseases brought by white settlers caused epidemics which reduced the Native American population. Chapter 7, Section 2

Trails to the West—Assessment

Which of these was a result of the California Gold Rush? (A) Interest in land in trans-Appalachia soared.(B) The Oregon and Santa Fe trails were created.(C) Thousands of settlers poured into California.(D) Ghost towns were revived.

Which of these was a direct result of the Adams-Onís Treaty? (A) The United States was granted free use of the Mississippi River in Spanish

lands.(B) The United States created a plan to remove Native Americans.(C) Spain agreed to cede Florida to the United States.(D) The United States and Great Britain agreed to share the Oregon Country.

Chapter 7, Section 2

Trails to the West—Assessment

Which of these was a result of the California Gold Rush? (A) Interest in land in trans-Appalachia soared.(B) The Oregon and Santa Fe trails were created.(C) Thousands of settlers poured into California.(D) Ghost towns were revived.

Which of these was a direct result of the Adams-Onís Treaty? (A) The United States was granted free use of the Mississippi River in Spanish lands.(B) The United States created a plan to remove Native Americans.(C) Spain agreed to cede Florida to the United States.(D) The United States and Great Britain agreed to share the Oregon Country.

Chapter 7, Section 2

Assessment

Define “Manifest Destiny” What effect did the US war with Mexico have?

The US invaded and annexed TexasThe US marched into Sacramento and forced Mexico to surrender California.The US agreed to give back Texas in exchange for California. The US acquired territory that eventually became Arizona and New Mexico.

The Doomed Donner PartyThe Doomed Donner Party

April, 1846 – April, 1847

April, 1846 – April, 1847

The Doomed Donner Party

The Doomed Donner Party

James Reed & Wife

James Reed & Wife

Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen

Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen

Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California!

Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California!

CANNIBALISM ! !

CANNIBALISM ! !

Modified from powerpoint by Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley H. S. Chappaqua, NY

Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.