Westward Expansion & Antebellum Period NOTES: UNIT 3

Main concepts Explain how the westward movement impacted Nationalism (growth of national gov. power) Democracy (increased voting rights and states) Displacement of Native Americans Conflicts over states’ rights and power of federal government Identify how the US obtained the following territories: Louisiana Purchase, Oregon territory, and SW United States Explain how the Monroe Doctrine and the concept of Manifest Destiny affected the US’ relationship with foreign powers, including the role of the US in the Texan Revolution and Mexican War

Westward Expansion During the 1800s, many Americans wanted to add to the US territory leaders and citizens believed it was the country’s destiny to expand and possess all territory from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans This idea was referred to as “Manifest Destiny” Americans were favored by God to have all the land on the North American continent As a result US will acquire more land

Land the US Acquired & How Louisiana Territory During President Jefferson’s administration, the US purchased the territory from France Jefferson was concerned about whether this action, by the president, was constitutional However, he proceeds with the plans Effects: Jefferson’s loose interpretation of the elastic clause set precedent for future land acquisitions Secured the US control of Mississippi River and access to New Orleans

The Louisiana Purchase (1803)

The Louisiana Purchase (1803)

Region claimed by US and Great Britain Oregon Territory Region claimed by US and Great Britain US claimed territory b/c of Lewis & Clark expedition Americans moved to territory to trade furs and develop farms Treaty in 1840s established dividing line at the 49th parallel

The Lewis and Clark Expedition NORTHWEST PASSAGE?

Texas Americans had moved into region upon invitation from Mexican gov. to have access to land for cotton Americans were expected to obey Mexican laws When Mexican gov. outlaws slavery – TX revolted and won independence TX is not annexed – US trying to avoid conflict and concerned about adding another slave state Under President Polk admin – TX is annexed by Congress

American Southwest Mexican War When US annexes TX – leads to war with Mexico Conflict begins when US troops move into disputed region b/n TX and Mexico US wins Results from peace treaty US acquired present day: CA, NM, and Arizona territories Effect: tense relationship b/n US and Mexico through the 1900s

Protecting lands for America Indian Removal President Jackson used a policy of removal towards the natives to make room for US settlers Cherokees and other tribes in SE were forced to move to Indian territory in Oklahoma – (Trail of Tears (1830s) Monroe Doctrine (foreign policy) Issued by Pres. Monroe to warn European nations from attempts to reestablish colonial claims US w/ Great Britain act to keep Europeans out of western hemisphere

Indian Removal Trail of Tears

Effects of westward Expansion Nationalism expansion fueled nationalist idea of Manifest Destiny Democracy: Additional land acquisition spread democracy Voters Cheaper land allowed more Americans to own land then could exercise the right to vote 1820-1830s states dropped property qualifications and expanded the franchise to all white males States More territories became states and considered equal to original 13 (NW ordinance)

Effects Native Americans Native Americans in SE responded through resistance and assimilation to increasing white settlers Neither method worked   African Americans Slave owners took part of their “human property” with them on the movement west and left rest of slave family behind

Sectionalism Westward expansion intensified sectionalism as competing regional interests agreed on expansion But differed on policies of the federal gov. such as cheap land internal improvements Protective tariffs Expansion of slavery