KT

westward expansion

Overview of Upcoming Midterm Exam

  • Exam Details
    • Opens Friday
    • 50 multiple choice items
    • 20 items from previous quizzes (one and two)
    • One shot to take the exam
    • Use all materials and collaborate in class

Topic Focus: Westward Expansion

  • Antebellum Period
    • Defined as the time period from the Federalist period to the Civil War
    • Significant changes in the United States during this time

American Westward Movement

  • Historical Context

    • Americans historically driven to move west
    • British attempts to stop westward movement during colonial period were unsuccessful

  • Vision of Thomas Jefferson

    • Dubbed as "Empire of Liberty"
    • Aim for a continental empire from the Atlantic Ocean (East Coast) to the Pacific Ocean (West Coast)

  • Louisiana Purchase (1803)

    • President Jefferson sought acquisition of New Orleans and the Mississippi River
    • French territory largely uninhabited except for New Orleans
    • Purchase amount: $15,000,000 for 828,000 square miles
    • Cost $18 per square mile
    • French needed funds for ongoing wars in Europe

  • Lewis and Clark Expedition (1803 - 1806)

    • Objective: Explore and map new territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase
    • Authorized to establish an American presence in Oregon Country
    • Journey route: From St. Louis, Missouri to Oregon Country
    • Encountered American Indian tribes, gathered scientific data

Territorial Organization in the 1820s

  • Post-Louisiana Purchase Challenges
    • Balancing free and slave states
    • In 1820, the Missouri Compromise was enacted
    • Established parallel $36^{ ext{30}}$ North Line
    • Below the line: Slave states
    • Above the line: Free states (excluding Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia considerations)

Gateway to the West: St. Louis and Independence, Missouri

  • St. Louis
    • Initial gateway to West due to its position on the Mississippi River
  • Independence
    • Became the new focus for westward wagon trains
    • Essential launching point for travelers heading to Oregon Country

Travel Conditions and Manifest Destiny

  • Travel Difficulties

    • Wagons traveled in groups for safety: "Strength in numbers"
    • Circled wagons for protection from threats and hostile tribes
    • Mortality rates were high due to disease, hunger, and accidents
    • First official wagon train left Independence in 1836

  • Manifest Destiny Concept (1845)

    • Coined by John O'Sullivan
    • Belief in American's divine right to expand across the continent
    • Associated with American imperialism and God-given path to westward conquest
    • Opposition existed but was largely overshadowed

Implications and Cultural Reflections

  • Cultural Narratives

    • Art and media illustrate the notion of progress brought by American expansion
    • The portrayal of Columbia as a representation of the country advancing West and displacing Native Americans

  • Consequences

    • During westward expansion, Native American populations suffered greatly
    • Long-lasting conflicts (e.g., Plains Indian Wars) resulted from expansionist policies and actions

Conclusion and Future Topics

  • Overview of theme of change in westward expansion alongside slavery debates and territorial governance
  • Next Focus Areas
    • Lone Star Republic
    • War with Mexico
    • Continued discussion planned for Wednesday class session
    • Emphasis on understanding context of the Oregon Trail