WESTWARD EXPANSION

MANIFEST DESTINY 1840’s expansion of the west exploded. Felt moving westward was predestined by God Reasons – abundance of land, new markets, new opportunities, spread Christianity "(It is)..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" In 1845 these words were written by John O'Sullivan, a democrat leader and editor newspaper

TEXAS INDEPENDENCE Texans claimed independence from Mexico - war -Remember the ALAMO(1836) The Mexican army killed all 187 US defenders Then Sam Houston and his rebels attacked a Mexican army and cried “Remember the Alamo” which ended the war and Texas gained independence

WAR WITH MEXICO 1845 –Texas entered the Union Pres. Polk –wanted all the land to the Rio Grande – Tried peace talks – Mexico refused Called for War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo -Mexico agreed to border at the Rio Grande plus US gained NM and CA The US paid Mexico 15 million for the land.

CA gold rush Gold found Forty -niners CA population rose from 400 (1848) to 44,000 (1850) to 100,000(1859) Revolutionized California’s economy

Compromise of 1850 California – Free State New Mexico and Utah – Popular Sovereignty Tougher Fugitive Slave law Texas - $10 million DC gets rid of Slave Trade New Mexico gets Texas Territory

Kansas – Nebraska Act of 1854 (By Stephen Douglas) Kansas would be a slave state and Nebraska would be a free state. Totally wrecked the Missouri Compromise Technically – it would be decided by popular sovereignty

Bleeding Kansas Issue Slavery in Kansas People are divided and angry 1856 – US Senate Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner – made an ugly speech about the South (especially SC) A SC senator – Preston Brooks gets up and strikes Sumner with a cane!!

Sumner vs. Brooks Cont Brooks resigned his seat, but was reelected Sumner had to leave for treatment in Europe The Kansas problem spilled over into the Senate.

Dred Scott Decision March 6, 1857 Ruled that slaves can’t go to Federal court Slaves are property and can be taken anywhere Chief Justice Roger Taney Said that Congress cannot ban slavery

REFORMING AMERICA SOCIETY Second Great Awakening 1790’s to 1830’s a Christian movement that focus on revivals

SLAVERY AND ABOLITION ABOLITION- the movement to free African Americans from slavery

William Lloyd Garrison White abolitionist called for immediate freedom of slaves In the very first issue of his anti-slavery newspaper, the Liberator, William Lloyd Garrison stated, "I do not wish to think, or speak, or write, with moderation.... I am in earnest -- I will not equivocate -- I will not excuse -- I will not retreat a single inch -- AND I WILL BE HEARD

FREDERICK DOUGLASS The most prominent black abolitionist Escaped from bondage in 1831 at age 21 Gifted orator, editor, writer Critic of slavery through His newspaper, The North Star Looked at politics to change slavery

Turner’s REBELLION Slaves rebelled against their conditions led by Nat Turner, a VA slave in August 1831 Turner and 50 others attacked 4 plantations and killed around 60 Eventually Turner and followers were captured and killed Importance- scared slaveholders and encouraged the abolitionist movement

Women’s REFORM Women played important roles in reform: Abolitionists Temperance (effort to prohibit alcohol) Education Health Care

Women’s rights emerge Seneca Falls – women’s conference calling for the right to vote Sojourner Truth – abolitionist, sought equal rights for women and African Americans

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Secret network of people who would help slaves to freedom Harriet Tubman helped over 300 slaves to freedom

READING NOTES COMPLETE THE READING NOTES AND MAP USING THE COPIED TEXT