Westward Expansion
Industrial Development
Sectionalism
1. Westward Expansion…
A. The Louisiana Purchase- 1803- From France- 15 million dollars. Doubled the size of the United States. The U. S. gained all of the French Territory west of the Mississippi River.
B. Louis and Clark Expedition was commissioned by President Jefferson to explore this territory. The route followed the Missouri River to its source.
C. Zebulon Pike was sent on two expeditions in 1805 and 1806 respectively to explore the headwaters of the Mississippi and Colorado Rivers.
D. Settlers moved beyond the Old Northwest Territories via Turnpikes to the west. As the settlers moved west, they displaced Native Americans who were then sent to reservations. Tecumseh and “The Trail of Tears”
E. 1821- Stephen Austin establishes a colony in Texas via a land grant from Mexico. Conflict arose with the Mexicans because the American settlers wanted more freedom. In 1838, The Independent Republic of Texas is formed. The Mexican government treats this action as an act of rebellion and sends General Santa Anna to put down the rebellion.
F. Sam Houston leads the Texans. Two early defeats at the Alamo and Goliad almost lose the war. Houston holds on and catches the Mexicans at San Jacinto and wins independence for good. Texas remains an independent republic until 1845
G. In the meantime, more peaceful expansion is taking place in the Rockies, Utah (John Smith and the Mormons), and the Oregon Territories.
H. Manifest Destiny…The belief that the United States should have control of all of the land from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
I. Squabble over Oregon…The U.S. cuts a deal with the British and split the territory at the 49th parallel.
J. The thirst by expansionists for Mew Mexico, Arizona and California cause the Mexican War. The war quickly ends when the U.S. easily defeats the Mexicans.
K. The U.S. then fills in the current “48” with land purchases and treaties. See p. 124
2. Industrial Development…
A. Cottage Industry versus the Factory System. The cottage system consisted of workers using simple tools to manufacture goods while the factory system used machines to accomplish the same thing.
B. The first industry to extensively use this system was the textile industry…Samuel Slater/ Massachusetts.
C. The American System…the use of interchangeable parts pioneered by Eli Whitney in the gun industry.
D. Railroads are quickly developed to support industry and move raw materials and finished goods around the country.
E. Industry alters society…
a. Created new roles for women and children
b. Lured people from the farms and the countryside to cities.
c. By the 1830’s wages were still low, working conditions were horrible, and labor was in short supply. Walkouts and strikes soon improved conditions
d. Development of social classes…Rich and poor.
e. Immigrants flood the U.S. for jobs and freedom.
Sectionalism…
A. The Agricultural South…Cotton is king. The Cotton Gin makes this crop profitable and the mills in the North need the cotton for production.
B. Increased labor was needed to make cotton pay…Slaves.
C. The movers and shakers in Southern society were the merchants, plantation owners, and bankers; not manufacturers.
D. As the treatment of slaves in the South became more known, the backlash in the North (Abolitionists) began to heat up. Calls for freedom for the slaves increased dramatically. Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Harriet Beecher Stowe.
E. Slavery becomes the hot issue for the country… The Missouri Compromise. 1820, prohibited slavery north of the 36th parallel.
a. The Wilmot Proviso…1846. Congressman David Wilmot proposed the end of all slavery in any new U.S. territory. It was defeated.
b. From the point on Congress fought over the slavery issue in any new territory or state that wanted to be admitted to the union. Missouri, California, Kansas.
c. Compromise of 1850 admitted California as a free state and provided for stiffer penalties to protect slavery as an institution in the south.
d. Kansas/Nebraska Act…Congress proposes the concept of Popular Sovereignty. The people decide if they want slavery. The Northern Abolitionists were incensed over this act because it violated the Missouri Compromise. They attempt to load both territories with Northern settlers. Ultra Abolitionist John Brown / Bleeding Kansas.
e. Republican Party is formed and Abraham Lincoln becomes a major player in the new party.
F. Tariffs…
a. The North wants high tariffs on imported goods to protect its manufacturing. The south wants low tariffs to help them bring in cheaper goods from overseas.
G. Dred Scott…Supreme Court landmark case on slavery (1858). Scott is a Missouri slave that goes with his owner to a new residence in north of the Missouri Compromise slavery line. He sues his owner for his freedom saying that since his new residence is in a free territory, that makes him a free man. The court rules against him and in the process strike down the legality of the Missouri Compromise
H. John Brown’s Raid…Brown of “Bleeding Kansas” fame leads a raid with anti-slavery followers on the national armory at Harper’s ferry, Virginia. Brown captures the armory and hopes to lead the slaves of the south to freedom. The uprising is put down quickly by a young U.S. colonel, Robert E. Lee. Brown and his surviving followers are hung for treason.
I. 1860…The election of anti-slavery Republican Abraham Lincoln causes 7 southern states to secede from the union. The form the Confederate States of America and elect U.S. Senator Jefferson Davis as their first and only President.