Manifest Destiny & Indian Removal

Louisiana Purchase Adams-Onis Treaty For $15 million President Jefferson buys Louisiana Territory from Napoleon doubles size of U.S. sends Lewis & Clark exploring U.S. acquires Florida from Spain & defines U.S. – Mexico border

Monroe Doctrine Indian Removal Act President Monroe warns Europeans to stay out of the West Important in securing our role in the Western Hemisphere We promised to stay out of affairs of Europe Allowed Federal Government to force Native Americans west Americans felt it was necessary to western expansion Led to Trail of Tears (about ¼ of Cherokee population died)

Manifest Destiny Mormon Migration Mexican- American War Belief that God wanted Americans to move west to the Pacific Even if that meant taking Mexican & Native American lands (more on this…) Escaping religious persecution Mormons migrated west Created Salt Lake City U.S. wins war & gains land U.S. pays Mexico $15 million for California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, most of Arizona, and parts of Colorado & Wyoming

The Gold Rush (Since we DO live in California!) James Marshall (bottom center) in front of Sutter’s Mill San Francisco in the 1800s

Manifest Destiny How did Americans justify Westward Expansion?

Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way, a painting influenced by the idea of Manifest Destiny

John Gast, American Progress, 1872

Map of the United States, 1872

Contemporary Map of the 1816 United States

John Melish, Map of the U.S. with the contiguous British and Spanish Possessions,1816

12 Melish’s comments on his 1816 map of the United States “To present a picture of it was desirable in every point of view. The map so constructed, shows at a glance the whole extent of the United States territory from sea to sea; and in tracing the probable expansion of the human race from east to west, the mind finds an agreeable resting place on its western limits. The view is complete, and leaves nothing to be wished for. It also adds to the beauty and symmetry [balance] of the map; which will, it is confidently believed, be found one of the most useful and ornamental [decorative] works ever executed [created] in this country.” –John Melish, 1816

Document Deconstruction With a partner, read the two document excerpts by John O’Sullivan Use your collective brains to answer the questions on your handouts

Make a Claim & Support it On the back of your handout, answer the following question: “How did Americans justify moving westward?” Come up with a CLAIM (something debatable) and writ the following: ONE paraphrased concrete detail from the lecture that supports your claim; and ONE line of commentary that explains HOW your paraphrase supports the claim. ONE quote from the document(s) that supports your claim; and ONE line of commentary that explains HOW your quote supports the claim. If I like it…I will ask you to write it on the board!

What do you think? This theory that Americans are special is called “American Exceptionalism.” It’s this idea that America has had such a unique history and has become so powerful that there’s something really special about it. What do you think about this theory? What do you predict this belief will lead to as we go through U.S. History?

The Trail of Tears 1838

Trail of Tears, Robert Lindneux 1942

Map of the Trail of Tears THE REMOVAL OF NATIVE AMERICANS,

The Timeline Civilization – What does it mean to be civilized? Five Civilized Tribes Andrew Jackson & the Indian Removal Act Worcester v. Georgia: “ John Marshall has made his opinion, now let him enforce it ”

Sourcing & Contextualization With a Partner: – One person read Document A and answer the questions – One person read Document B and answer the questions – Then…we’ll put it all in the room for discussion

Discussion Findings from those who read Document A Findings from those who read Document B – (Note…record responses in your own words) Why did Jackson or Boudinot think Indian Removal was in the best interest of the Cherokee? Do you believe them? What parts sound sincere/believable? Why might some people at that time have believed that Indian Removal was a reasonable policy? How have our attitudes changed/stayed the same since the 1830s?

Complicate Your Thinking Historian Matthew P. Guterl observes, "Most Americans believed that race was one of the most important parts of national life; that race mattered because it guaranteed this country a [glorious] future in the history of the world." While few would admit it today, do you think the definition of progress is still tied to being white? Film Clip: Race – The Power of Illusion

Complicate Your Thinking Can you think of historical or current instances in which those who are not defined as white are blamed for American weakness or problems? 23

Complicate Your Thinking How was the notion of Manifest Destiny shaped by beliefs about race?