Chapter 12: The New West And The Free North

Four Changes in American Society fueled Economic Growth Millions of Americans moved from farms to towns & cities Factory workers increased to about 20% of the labor force by 1860. 3. A shift from water power to steam as a source of energy raised productivity. 4. Agricultural productivity nearly doubled

The Agricultural Revolution

John Deere & the Steel Plow (1837)

Cyrus McCormick & the Mechanical Reaper: 1831

Introduction of the Factory System

Samuel Slater (“Father of the Factory System”)

Manufacturing & Mechanization Mechanization allowed manufacturers to produce more with less labor American System The practice of manufacturing and then assembling interchangeable parts. Eli Whitney Geographic economic division: New England – manufacturing South – cotton & tobacco West – wheat, pork, whiskey

New England Textile Centers: 1830s

The Transportation Revolution

Conestoga Covered Wagons Conestoga Trail, 1820s

The “Iron Horse” Wins! (1830) 1830  13 miles of track built by Baltimore & Ohio RR By 1850  9000 mi. of RR track [1860  31,000 mi.]

The Railroad Revolution, 1850s Immigrant labor built the North railroads. Slave labor built the South railroads.

Immigration in America 1840-1860

National Origin of Immigrants: 1820 - 1860 Why now?

Immigration German Irish Skilled tradesmen ¼ were farmers Protestant Middle class educated Irish Laborers Potato famine in Ireland Lower class Catholic uneducated

American Population Centers in 1820

American Population Centers in 1860

The Westward Movement

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:

“Manifest Destiny” First coined by newspaper editor, John O’Sullivan in 1845. ".... the right of our manifest destiny to over spread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federative development of self-government entrusted to us. It is right such as that of the tree to the space of air and the earth suitable for the full expansion of its principle and destiny of growth." A myth of the West as a land of romance and adventure emerged.

Trails Westward

“American Progress” by John Gast, 1872

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) The Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) Joseph Smith (1805-1844)

Violence Against Mormons

The Mormon “Trek”

(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) The Mormons (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) Brigham Young (1801-1877)

Texas Independence (1836-1845)

Gone to Texas Mexico won their independence from Spain in 1823 Granted land to Stephen Austin to bring American families to settle Friction between Mexicans & Texans increased over slavery, immigration, and local rights 1836- Texans declared their independence

Texas Declaration of Independence

Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston (1793-1863) Steven Austin (1793-1836)

The Republic of Texas

Remember the Alamo! Santa Anna led Mexican forces into Texas – trapped Texans at the Alamo in San Antonio Wiped them out Sam Houston’s small army lured Santa Anna to San Jacinto Captured Santa Anna & forced him to sign treaties

Remember the Alamo!

Davy Crockett’s Last Stand

The Battle of the Alamo

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

Why was the annexation of Texas such a controversial policy? ESSENTIAL QUESTION: Why was the annexation of Texas such a controversial policy?

Annexation became the leading issue in the 1844 election Mexico considered Texas a province in revolt; threatened war if America protected Texas Annexation became the leading issue in the 1844 election Democrats = pro Whigs = con Shortly before President Tyler left office , he signed a resolution making Texas the 28th state

The Mexican War (1846-1848)

General Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto “Old Rough and Ready”

The Bombardment of Vera Cruz

Battle of Buena Vista (1847) General Winfield Scott

General Scott Enters Mexico City “Old Fuss and Feathers”

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 Nicholas Trist, American Negotiator

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, 1848 The Treaty was basically forced on Mexico! Mexico gave up claims to Texas above the Rio Grande River. Mexico gave the U. S. California and New Mexico. U. S. gave Mexico $15,000,000 and agreed to pay the claims of American citizens against Mexico (over $3,500,000).

Results of the Mexican War? The 17-month war cost $100,000,000 and 13,000+ American lives (mostly of disease). New territories were brought into the Union which forced the explosive issue of SLAVERY to the center of national politics. * Brought in 1 million sq. mi. of land (incl. TX) These new territories would upset the balance of power between North and South. Created two popular Whig generals who ran for President. Manifest Destiny partially realized.

The Mexican Cession

GOLD! At Sutter’s Mill, 1848 John A. Sutter

California Gold Rush, 1849 49er’s

Digging for Gold in California