2110.20 Chapters 11-12 History

U.S. Expansion: South and West (1836-1848)

Martin Van Buren’s Presidency (1836 – 1841)

• Denied Texas's request for statehood (1837)

• Refused to intervene in the Mormon War in Missouri (1838)

• Supported the Spanish government in the Amistad case

• Oversaw the Indian Removal of major tribes: Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Chickasaw, and Seminole

• Continued the 2nd Seminole War in Florida

Innovation during the Era

• Railroads became the primary mode of transportation, connecting Americans like never before.

• Samuel Morse developed a system for electronic messaging using dots and dashes transmitted along wires alongside railways.

• By 1861, over 50,000 miles of telegraph wire were in place across the country.

The Industrial Revolution in the U.S.

• The transition from water power to steam power

• Between the 1840s and 1850s, the American economy multiplied twelvefold:

  • Significant migration from rural farms to urban towns and cities.

  • By 1860, factory workers constituted about 20% of the labor force.

  • Agricultural productivity nearly doubled.

Railroads and Infrastructure Development

• Most American railroads were privately built and owned.

• The government contributed 7 million acres of land for turnpike, highway, and canal projects before 1850.

• By 1860, over 20 million acres of federal land were granted to railroads.

The American System

• Mechanization in manufacturing led to more production with less labor.

• The American System:

  • Standardized parts created by machines replaced the need for skilled craftsmen.

Notable Leaders of the Period

• Andrew Jackson

• Martin Van Buren

• William Henry Harrison

• John Tyler

• James Polk

• Zachary Taylor

• Millard Fillmore

• Franklin Pierce

• James Buchanan

• Abraham Lincoln

Agricultural Innovations

• In 1837, John Deere invented a smooth steel plow that allowed farmers to plow fields more quickly and efficiently.

Concept of Free Labor

• The ideal of "Free Labor" celebrated hard work, self-reliance, and independence.

• Cultural narrative acknowledges that economic inequalities are a natural outgrowth of a society that values freedom.

Migration and Manifest Destiny

• California and Oregon emerge as focal points for westward migration.

• The term "Manifest Destiny" reflects the belief that Americans were destined to settle the continent, bringing the slavery issue back into political discussions.

• Turmoil arose from religious divisions and slavery debates during this period.

The Oregon Territory

• The Oregon Trail became a primary route for settlers heading west; notable trails included the Whitman and Applegate Trails.

• By 1843, approximately 1000 emigrants were setting out to migrate west annually.

The Mormon Exodus

• Joseph Smith Jr. published the Book of Mormon in 1830, leading to the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

• Following persecution, Smith and his followers migrated west under Brigham Young's leadership, culminating at the Great Salt Lake.

Development of American Culture

• The cultural movement of Transcendentalism emerged, led by figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.

• Many artistic expressions flourished, including works by Cole, Audubon, and Powers, paired with rising popular culture and literature.

Conflict with Mexico over Texas

• The Mexican government’s concern over U.S. settlers in Texas led to tensions and eventual conflict.

• After Santa Anna took control of Mexico, Texan rebels faced significant opposition, culminating in the Battle of the Alamo (March 1836).

The Lone Star Republic

• Post-Battle of San Jacinto (April 1836), the Republic of Texas was established, which did not achieve statehood until a decade later.

Election of 1844

• The Democratic Party nominated James K. Polk, a strong proponent of expansionism.

• Polk's election facilitated the annexation of Texas and discussions around Oregon's status.

California Expansion and the Mexican-American War

• The vague territorial boundaries led to disputes with Mexico.

• The Bear Flag Rebellion in 1846 was led by American settlers against Mexican rule.

• Polk's presidency saw initiation of the Mexican-American War, furthering Manifest Destiny and U.S. territorial claims.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848)

• Ended the Mexican-American War; Mexico ceded territories including California and New Mexico to the United States.

• The U.S. agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and absorb $3.25 million in claims from American citizens, fulfilling the vision of Manifest Destiny.