1. THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES 1492-1877 LECTURE 8 THE ROAD TO THE CIVIL WAR

2. THE WESTWARD EXPANSION Although the Westward expansion resulted in the greatest territorial growth, there were preceding events 1763 Proclamation, preventing the establishment of settlements across the Appalachian Mountains 1803 Louisiana Purchase

3. THE WESTWARD EXPANSION Mass migration of people 1820’s-1848 Ideology: Manifest Destiny 1845 John L. Sullivan: “Our manifest destiny is to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions”

4. MANIFEST DESTINY

5. REASONS FOR MOVING WEST Spreading Christianity Promoting democracy Need for land Need for harbors for trade with the Far East (San Francisco, Seattle) “Go west young man!” individual opportunities

6. CONFLICT WITH INDIANS Thomas Jefferson in Declaration of Independence: Merciless savages Andrew Jackson: obstacles to civilization 1830 Indian Removal Act 1838 Trail of Tears 15,000 Cherokees depart, 9.000 arrive to west of the Mississippi Causes of the defeat of Indians: Lack of unity Repeating rifle, colt, eliminating the buffalo

7. THE TRAIL OF TEARS

8. CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH Settlement at the Oregon Territory Oregon territory was controlled by 4 countries England, Spain, Russia, and U.S. Spain and Russia gave up claim as of 1818: Joint Occupation 1840’s Oregon trail mass migration from St. Louis or Independence Missouri to west, St. Louis to Rockies, Fort Bridger, go northwest Oregon, go south: Texas Trail

9. CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH 1841: Oregon Fever 2,000 mile trek Prairie Schooners, Conestoga wagons, ox drawn, canvas covered wagons, Crucial role for women: holding the family together By 1845 Americans outnumber British Americans demand Oregon, “54.40 or fight!” 1846 British give up claim 1848: Westward expansion reaches its goal

10. GOING WEST

11. CONFLICT WITH MEXICO 1809 Mexico becomes independent from Spain Controls the Texas Territory Stephen Austin leads Americans settling in Texas Cultural conflict with Mexicans Cause: religion, Settlers are Protestants and have slaves Mexicans: Catholics, reject slavery Mexico prohibits further American settlement

12. CONFLICT WITH MEXICO 1835 30,000 Americans live in Texas, outnumbering Mexicans Illegal American immigration to Mexico 1832-33 Americans organize conventions to demand representation and greater political power 1834 General Santa Anna becomes dictator, 1836 Texans rebel, declare their independence

13. BATTLE OF THE ALAMO February 23 1836 William B. Travis colonel, commander of the fort James Bowie, Davy Crockett, Heroic defense, but Alamo falls 188 Americans and Texans defend against 4,000 Mexicans outcome: defeat, but “Remember the Alamo!”

14. THE SIEGE OF THE ALAMO

15. CONFLICT WITH MEXICO 1836: Texas becomes independent country The Lone Star Republic President Sam Huston, slavery is allowed Texas applies for annexation, but 1845 Texas is annexed 1846-1848 Mexican-American War President: James K. Polk expansionist president Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848

16. LANDING AT VERA CRUZ

17. CONFLICT WITH MEXICO Texas Territory (California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) is ceded by Mexico Significance of the war: First aggressive war Professional army Manifest destiny is reality, Pacific Ocean is reached

18. SLAVERY AS A MORAL CRISIS Abolition movement Frederick Douglass 1845: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave 1831 William Lloyd Garrison The Liberator 1831 Nat Turner rebellion White abolitionists: reject gradual emancipation Garrison: “I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject I do not wish to think, to speak, or write with moderation” Underground Railroad, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman Uncle Tom’s Cabin 1851 Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery is morally bankrupt, Evil institution

19. UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

20. SLAVERY AS A POLITICAL CRISIS Popular sovereignty Compromise of 1850 Fugitive Slave Act slaves can be returned to the South California enters the Union Bleeding Kansas 1854-56 Federal govt. wants to extend railroad Vote on slavery Territory is divided Prelude to the Civil War

21. BLEEDING KANSAS

22. RISE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY 1854 Establishment of the Republican Party Against slavery only in the new territories in the West, not in the South! But Southerners feel threat Election of 1860 Four candidates John Bell, John Breckinridge, Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln Lincoln’s election scares the South

23. SLAVERY AS A CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS 1857 Dread Scott v. Sanford Can a free state give freedom to a former slave? Answer: no, outlawing the Missouri Compromise By 1860: Country is at the gate of collapse