OS Ch 11: A Nation on the Move - Westward Expansion, 1800-1860

Adams-Onís Florida Purchase Treaty (1819)

Spain ceded Florida to the US for $5 million, setting boundaries and relinquishing claims.

Andrew Jackson in Florida (1818)

Jackson exceeded authority in Florida, leading to tensions and concessions from Spain.

Tallmadge Amendment (1819)

Aimed to block Missouri's slave state admission, raising concerns about slavery in the Louisiana Territory.

Missouri Compromise (1820)

Balanced North and South interests, allowing Missouri as a slave state and Maine as free.

Stephen Austin

Austin led American settlers to Texas, facing tensions with Mexico over slavery and self-governance.

Texas War for Independence (1836)

Houston led Texan rebellion, leading to treaties and delayed annexation to the US.

Manifest Destiny

Belief in US expansion to the Pacific driven by land hunger, trade needs, democracy spread, power, and markets.

Settlement of the Oregon Country

Missionaries and settlers solidified American claim to Oregon in the 1840s.

The Election of 1844

Polk's victory led to Texas annexation, contrasting Clay's stance on the issue.

54°40’ or Fight!

Polk's proposal to acquire Oregon up to 54°40’, settled at the 49th parallel in 1846.

President Polk

Achieved tariff reduction, independent treasury, California acquisition, and Oregon settlement.

Treaty of 1818

Established US-Canada boundary at the 49th parallel and shared Newfoundland fisheries.

54°40′/ Russo-American Treaty (1824)

Monroe Doctrine success with Russia halting expansion at 54°40’.

British Claims to Oregon

Based on prior exploration and occupation, British had strong claims in Oregon.

American Claims to Oregon

US claims based on exploration, occupation, and population influx in the 1840s.

Texas Annexation (1845)

Annexation faced North-South disagreements over slavery expansion.

John Slidell’s Mission to Mexico

Attempted California purchase failed due to Mexican refusal and Texas issues.

Polk’s War Message

Polk sought war declaration over Mexico's actions, leading to the Mexican-American War.

Lincoln’s Spot Resolutions

Lincoln questioned the war's precise cause, highlighting disputed American soil.

John C. Fremont

Proclaimed the Bear Flag Republic in California in 1846.

Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott

Taylor and Scott's victories in Mexico led to the end of the war.

Nicholas P. Trist

Established the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo which confirmed US title to Texas and acquired California.

California and the 49ers

Gold discovery in California led to a rush of settlers and statehood application.

Wilmot Proviso (1846)

Attempted to block slavery in Mexican territory, reflecting Northern concerns.

Free Soil Party (1848)

Formed by antislavery forces, advocating for the Wilmot Proviso and homestead act.

Popular Sovereignty

Cass's doctrine allowed territories to decide slavery, appealing to democratic principles.

The Compromise of 1850

Clay's compromise addressed California statehood, territories, and slavery issues.

Fugitive Slave Law of 1850

Part of the Compromise, it enforced harsh measures against fleeing slaves and their helpers.

The Aroostook War

Conflict in the early 1840s between Britain and Maine over the Aroostook River Valley, where both sides claimed ownership for strategic and economic reasons, leading to clashes between lumberjacks and local militias.

Battle of Maps & the Webster-Ashburton Treaty—1842

Resolution of the lumberjack dispute through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which gave the British less land but secured the Halifax-Quebec route, based on ancient maps that showed each side's entitlement to parts of the disputed territory, leading to a compromise accepted by both parties.