Westward Expansion 2.1: Summarize the impact of the westward movement on nationalism and democracy, including the expansion of the franchise, the displacement of Native Americans from the southeast and conflicts over states’ rights and federal power during the era of Jacksonian democracy as the result of major land acquisitions such as the Louisiana Purchase, the Oregon Treaty, and the Mexican Cession.

Westward Expansion Increased Nationalism (pride and loyalty to the nation) Also increased Sectionalism (pride and loyalty to region) South wanted to expand slavery, North wanted to expand industry North wanted a tariff, South did not West wanted internal improvements All wanted access to cheap new land

Major Land Acquisitions Louisiana Purchase Texas Annexation Mexican Cession

Nationalism Expansion increased nationalism by promoting the idea of Manifest Destiny Idea that it was the US’s destiny to expand across the continent (from sea to shining sea) Painted the Pioneer as the iconic American (Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett) Praised the “Common Man” as the embodiment of Democracy

Louisiana Purchase President Jefferson wanted the US to control the Mississippi River The French offered to sell all of their American Territory Jefferson was reluctant because of his “Strict” interpretation of the Constitution (it doesn’t give the President the power to expand the nation)

Louisiana Purchase More than doubled the size of the US Gave the US control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans Important transportation network to get agricultural products from the “Old Northwest” to a global port

Impact of the Louisiana Purchase Set the precedent for future land acquisitions Opened new land for settlement New land was sold by government at low rates Ensured the spread of democracy as territories began entering into the Union as states on equal terms as the original 13

Spread of Democracy The right to vote was enjoyed by most males as land became cheaper 1820s: States began dropping property qualifications for voting and expanded the franchise (right to vote) to all white males African American property owners were deliberately disenfranchised Voting became a celebrated action and political campaigns became a popular pastime

Andrew Jackson 1st President elected from the West (Tennessee) Founded the Democratic Party (1st Democrat President) Self-describe champion of the “Common Man” Supported Westward Expansion and used it to strengthen the Democratic Party

Displacement of Native Americans Americans continually displaced Native Americans as they moved west INDIAN REMOVAL ACT Jackson initiated a formal Indian removal policy as President to make room in the West for common white men Thought new land would increase opportunity in America

Trail of Tears Worcester v. Georgia & Cherokee Nation v. Georgia Supreme Court decides Cherokee are a distinct nation within a nation Georgia cannot take land or force natives off US Government ignores ruling Jackson, “Marshall made his decision, now let him enforce it. Native Americans responded to forced migration in two ways Resistance (refusal and fighting) Assimilation (adoption of white culture) Journey became known as the “Trail of Tears” Trail of Tears

Sectionalism Economic differences continued to grow between the North and the South South: Agricultural, pro-Slavery North: Industrial and Commercial, anti-Slavery Issue of the expansion of slavery would eventually threaten national unity Led to a conflict over States’ Rights (South) and Federal Power (North) during the nullification crisis North wanted a high tariff to protect American industry South did not want prices to be raised, saw tariff as an “abomination” West sided with the North in exchange for the promise of internal improvements and continued access to cheap land

Andrew Jackson’s Administration Bank Crisis Jackson hated the Bank of the United States Vetoes the recharter of the bank in 1832 Begins to remove money from the bank and lending to smaller state banks Increased credit but caused some banks to fail

Andrew Jackson’s Administration Nullification Crisis South Carolina used the States’ Rights theory to declare the “tariff of abominations” null and void President Jackson was determined to uphold the supremacy of the federal government Force Act - Threatened to use federal force against SC South Carolina agreed to rescind their nullification after Jackson threatened them and Congress reduced the tariff