Expansion & Improvements Chapter 11, Section 2

In the early 1800’s more Americans moved west In the early 1800’s more Americans moved west. Most were looking for more land and opportunity. “The western country continues to rise in population and importance with unstoppable rapidity.”

The Missouri Compromise A major regional conflict arose when Congress considered the application of Missouri into the Union.

Pro-slave leaders wanted it to be added as a slave state. At the time, the union was equally split with 11 slave states and 11 free states. However, free states in the North had a greater population, so they controlled the House of Representatives. Adding a new slave state would have tipped the balance in the Senate in favor of the pro-slave south

Missouri Compromise Northern representatives proposed an amendment accepting Missouri as a slave state if : Importing slaves in Missouri would become illegal All children of Missouri slaves would become free at age 25 It angered southern politicians

The Missouri Compromise Some senators, such as Rufus King of New York opposed any expansion of slavery “The existence of slavery harms the industry and the power of a nation.”

Henry Clay, a representative from Kentucky proposes the Missouri Compromise Missouri would enter the Union as a slave state. Maine would join the Union as a free state. 3. Slavery would be prohibited in any new territories or states formed north of Missouri’s southern border.

Congress passed the Missouri Compromise in 1820 On March 15, 1820 Maine became a state Missouri was admitted to the union on August 10, 1821 Henry Clay earned the nickname of The Great Pacificator or Peacemaker There were still strong disagreements over expansion of slavery in the west.

Internal Improvements Henry Clay wanted a protective tariff to strengthen the US economy. He felt it would keep Americans from buying foreign goods. He wanted to use the money to build roads, canals and artificial waterways

Internal Improvement Clay’s improvement plans would connect regions of the country and make trade easier. His plan became known as the American System

New Roads and Canals In the early 1800’s most roads in the US were made of dirt. The Cumberland Road was the first road built by the federal government. It ran from West Virginia to Illinois Water transportation was quicker and easier.

New Roads and Canals The Erie Canal, running from Albany to Buffalo, New York. It cost millions of dollars but worth the expense. It allowed goods and people to move between towns on Lake Erie and New York City. The success of the Erie Canal helped start a canal building boom across the country.

The Election of 1824 Secretary of State John Quincy Adams was running against Andrew Jackson Jackson won the popular vote, but he did not have enough electoral votes to win office.

The Election of 1824 Speaker of the House Henry Clay influenced the House to back Adams As president, Adams named Henry Clay Secretary of State. This made Jackson’s supporters feel that Adams had entered into a “corrupt bargain” with Clay. Adams was now unpopular in the slave holding south and with people who felt he was corrupt.