Ch 15 Conquering a Continent Part 1

Conquering a Continent: 1860 to 1890

Introduction

• Focuses on the expansion into the Far West, completing the United States from coast to coast.

• Thesis Statement:

  • The Republican vision created the economic policies that advanced the incorporation of the West, stripping native people of their land.

    • Key Components:

      • Republican vision

      • Incorporation of the West

      • Stripped native people of their land

1. The Republican Vision

• Defined by vigorous use of state power during and post-Civil War.

• Expanded global presence through foreign policy:

  • The Alabama Claims: Apology and $15,500,000 from Great Britain for building ships for the Confederacy.

  • William Seward's Role:

    • As Secretary of State, aimed for U.S. global influence.

    • Notable Achievements:

      • Purchase of Alaska: Once deemed a mistake; now a valuable territory.

      • Treaty with China (Burlingame Treaty): Secured rights for U.S. missionaries and laborers.

  • Limited by public war fatigue; less appetite for military exploits.

2. Economic Policies of the Republican Party

• Political Power Unchallenged During the Civil War: Allowed continuation and enhancement of the American System.

• Key Policies Included:

  • Protective Tariffs: Increased manufacturing and supported farmers.

    • Helped create a federal surplus and funded government expenses for 20 years.

    • Critiques:

      • Made goods expensive, benefiting corporations over workers.

  • Gold Standard Pressure:

    • Aligning with global peers led to economic challenges, including the 1873 Panic.

    • Introduction of the Bland-Allison Act: Re-established silver coinage.

3. Transportation and Infrastructure Development

• Emphasis on railroad expansion.

• Government incentives included loans, land grants, and subsidies to private companies for railroad building.

• Subsidies Defined: Financial gifts to encourage public good.

• The rise of corporations fostered large-scale ventures:

  • Allowed pooling of resources and minimized individual financial risk.

  • Led to economic growth but increased wealth concentration.

• Regulatory Actions:

  • Munn vs. Illinois (1877): Established federal power over key businesses (railroads, grain elevators).

  • Santa Fe Ring: Special courts that enforced land title disputes that favored railroad expansion over Mexican landholders.

4. The Transcontinental Railroad

• Significance:

  • A monumental achievement linking coast to coast, enhancing trade and employment.

  • Provided opportunities for immigrant workers (Irish and Chinese) but also displaced native populations.

  • Transformed the West economically and socially.

• The railroad represented both industrial progress and social upheaval.

5. The Homestead Act (1862)

• Allowed individuals to acquire 160 acres for a small fee, leading to a push for westward expansion.

• Critiques:

  • Many homesteaders abandoned their claims due to harsh conditions or insufficient land sizes.

  • Fostered a romantic notion of the American Dream but failed for many.

6. The Morrill Act (1862)

• Promoted the establishment of land-grant colleges, emphasizing education for the advancement of agriculture and technology.

• Signaled a commitment to increasing scientific expertise and public education.

7. The General Mining Act of 1872

• Allowed for exploitation of minerals on federally owned land with minimal fees.

• Created a romanticized vision of making fortunes but typically led to monopolization by wealthy consortiums.

8. Chinese Immigration and Labor

• By 1880, approximately 200,000 Chinese in the U.S., mostly in California.

• Viewed initially as valuable citizens; turned into rivals leading to anti-Chinese sentiment and discriminatory policies:

  • Foreign Miner's Tax: Excluded Chinese and Mexicans from mining opportunities.

  • Transcontinental Railroad Labor: Chinese made up 90% of the workforce, enduring harsh conditions and exploitation.

  • The 1866 strike by 5,000 Chinese railroad workers showcased their desperation for better conditions but ended in failure.

9. Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882

• Banned Chinese immigration for a decade and forbade them from citizenship.

• Fear of unemployment fueled racist legislation, extending into 1902 with a permanent ban.

• Resistance to the Exclusion Act builds, but significant change only occurs post-WWII.

10. The Role of Women in the West

• Women's migration significantly influenced the development of the West; many turned to prostitution as a viable economic opportunity.

• Their presence contributed to the founding of towns and community structures, often wielding political power:

  • Early voting rights in Wyoming.

  • Income from brothels financed public services (schools, hospitals).

• Significant Women:

  • Madam Lou Graham funded Seattle Public Schools, demonstrating women's economic power.

Conclusion

• The incorporation of the West was marked by a variety of economic and social changes, underpinned by policies and visions central to the Republican Party during this transformative period.