Westward Expansion

Remember the American Revolution? We won some new land… Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Provided a plan for governing new territories and creating states Once the territory had 5,000 MEN and 60,000 people they could create an assembly and request admittance to the Union (Become a new state!) Must create a state constitution COULD NOT HAVE SLAVERY! Must have public education

Oregon Country Adams-Onis Treaty: ended Spanish claims to Oregon and Florida and U.S. and G.B. agreed to share Oregon Settlers drawn to the new region for fur trade Oregon Trail: land route from Missouri to Oregon > 2,000 miles, 5 months!!!! Oregon Treaty of 1846- US & GB decide to divide territory & Oregon is officially added to US https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaWej5kLuQg

Missouri Compromise Will slavery exist in the land from the Louisiana Purchase? Adding Missouri as a slave state would tip the power in Congress to one side Compromise  Maine=free state, Missouri = slave North of Missouri = no more slaves South of Missouri = slavery allowed All other new land in the future = free

Mexico – was a colony of the Spanish, but they won independence in 1821 American settlers want this land! Rich in resources, believed Mexico doesn’t deserve this land, they are weak and uncivilized Mexico encouraged American trade and migration to strengthen the region…BUT it becomes dominated by Americans

Background on Texas Independence 1. Mexico closes borders to Americans b/c they weren’t following Mexico’s rules (Mexico did not allow slavery, but Texans kept bringing them) a) Americans IGNORE … come illegally (ironic?) b) Americans outnumber Mexicans 10:1

General Santa Anna = dictator of Mexico Orders Americans be disarmed and deported (no guns so you can’t fight us!) 200 Texans (Americans) vs. 4,000 Mexicans fight at Alamo for Texan independence Mexicans win - those that surrender = shot!

3. Other Texans = inspired “Remember the Alamo”: remember the bravery and sacrifice They use this pride and bravery to attack Mexico again and defeat General Santa Anna….… 2nd time’s the charm! Davy Crockett died at the Alamo Sam Houston leads them to victory

Texas is INDEPENDENT COUNTRY!!!!

…not for long though: Texas requests that the U. S …not for long though: Texas requests that the U.S. take them as a new state. It took several years for the US to agree because many did not want another slave state BUT… In December of 1845, President James K Polk annexes (adds) Texas to U.S. as a slave state … hungry for power & land!!!

This makes Mexico mad…time for WAR

Causes of Mexican War Manifest destiny: belief that the US was destined to rule all of North America Southern desire to add slave states Mexico refuses to sell California Mexico offended when US annexes Texas Dispute over the southern border of Texas

Mexican War (US vs. Mex.) in 3 words… Mexico is crushed

2. Effects Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – ends Mexican war - Rio Grande is southern border of US - Mexico cedes (gives up) CA & NM b) 1853 Gadsden Purchase …final land deal to seal continental US, bought to build southern railroad c) Increases sectional tension – fight over slavery in new land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn2FzuPyFlY OMG its complete!!!

*Review*

SECTIONALISM: loyalty to the interests of one's own region or section of the country, rather than to the country as a whole

Now what to do with the land we got from Mexico?

Wilmot Proviso: Let’s read on Bill that would have made slavery illegal in territory won during the Mexican War BUT, never approved by the Senate… still don’t know what to do with territories

Compromise of 1850 WE GET TO CHOOSE!!! California = free state Territories of NM & UT would decide for themselves (vote) whether slavery would be legal (popular sovereignty) Fugitive Slave Act = ordered all citizens to assist in the return of run away slaves.