🦬US History – Before 1865 Unit 9 – Manifest Destiny & Western Expansion

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Manifest Destiny: belief that the United States was destined to expand across the North American continent
• Westward Expansion: movement of American settlers into the western territories of the United States during the 19th century
• Louisiana Purchase (1803): acquisition of territory from France that doubled the size of the United States
• Oregon Trail: 2,000-mile overland route used by settlers traveling from Missouri to Oregon Country
• Mexican-American War (1846-1848): conflict between the United States and Mexico resulting in significant territorial gains for the U.S.
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848): agreement that ended the Mexican-American War and ceded vast territories to the United States
• Gadsden Purchase (1853): acquisition of land from Mexico that became part of Arizona and New Mexico

Historical Context and Origins

• Rooted in the idea of American exceptionalism and the belief in the superiority of American democracy and institutions
• Fueled by population growth, economic opportunities, and technological advancements (steamboats, railroads)
• Influenced by the Second Great Awakening, which emphasized the importance of spreading Protestant Christianity
• Justified by the concept of "Manifest Destiny," a term coined by journalist John O'Sullivan in 1845
• Supported by politicians like Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk, who advocated for territorial expansion
• Driven by the desire for new agricultural lands, natural resources, and access to Pacific trade routes
• Shaped by the idea of the "frontier" as a defining feature of American identity and character

Major Events and Milestones

• Louisiana Purchase (1803) doubled the size of the United States and opened up vast new territories for settlement
• Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) explored and mapped the newly acquired Louisiana Territory
• Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) established the border between the United States and Spanish Florida
• Indian Removal Act (1830) authorized the forced relocation of Native American tribes from the Southeast to the West
• Texas Revolution (1835-1836) resulted in the independence of Texas from Mexico
• Oregon Treaty (1846) established the 49th parallel as the border between the United States and British Canada in the Pacific Northwest
• California Gold Rush (1848-1855) attracted thousands of settlers and accelerated westward migration
• Compromise of 1850 addressed the issue of slavery in the newly acquired territories and delayed the onset of the Civil War

Key Figures and Their Roles

• Thomas Jefferson: orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase and commissioned the Lewis and Clark Expedition
• Meriwether Lewis and William Clark: led the expedition that explored and mapped the Louisiana Territory
• Andrew Jackson: advocated for the removal of Native American tribes and signed the Indian Removal Act
• Stephen F. Austin: known as the "Father of Texas" for his role in establishing American settlements in Mexican Texas
• Sam Houston: led the Texas Revolution and served as the first President of the Republic of Texas
• James K. Polk: oversaw the annexation of Texas, the Oregon Treaty, and the Mexican-American War
• John C. Frémont: explored and mapped the American West, earning the nickname "The Pathfinder"

Impact on Native American Populations

• Westward expansion led to the displacement and forced relocation of numerous Native American tribes
• Indian Removal Act (1830) resulted in the Trail of Tears, the forced march of the Cherokee Nation to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma)
• Treaties were often used to acquire Native American lands, but these agreements were frequently violated or ignored by the U.S. government and settlers
• Native Americans faced loss of land, resources, and traditional ways of life as settlers encroached upon their territories
• Conflicts and wars erupted between Native American tribes and U.S. forces (Seminole Wars, Black Hawk War)
• Reservation system established to confine Native American populations to designated areas
• Cultural assimilation policies aimed to eradicate Native American languages, religions, and customs

Territorial Acquisitions and Conflicts

• Louisiana Purchase (1803) acquired from France, doubling the size of the United States
• Florida acquired through the Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) with Spain
• Texas annexed in 1845 after gaining independence from Mexico
• Oregon Country jointly occupied with Britain until the Oregon Treaty (1846) established the 49th parallel border
• Mexican-American War (1846-1848) resulted in the acquisition of vast territories, including California and the American Southwest
• Gadsden Purchase (1853) acquired additional land from Mexico for a southern transcontinental railroad route
• Conflicts with Native American tribes (Seminole Wars, Black Hawk War) as settlers encroached upon their territories

Economic and Social Consequences

• Expansion of agriculture and the cotton industry in the South, fueled by slave labor
• Growth of the mining industry, particularly after the California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
• Development of transportation infrastructure (canals, railroads) to connect eastern markets with western resources
• Increased sectional tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery in the new territories
• Displacement and forced relocation of Native American populations, disrupting their traditional ways of life
• Influx of diverse immigrant populations in the West, including Chinese laborers and European settlers
• Growth of cities and towns along the frontier, serving as hubs for trade and commerce

Legacy and Long-Term Effects

• Manifest Destiny and westward expansion shaped the geographical boundaries of the modern United States
• Acquisition of new territories led to debates over the extension of slavery, contributing to the onset of the Civil War
• Displacement and oppression of Native American populations had lasting effects on their communities and cultures
• Economic development of the West transformed the nation, providing new resources and markets
• Idea of the "frontier" became a central theme in American culture, literature, and identity
• Legacy of racial and ethnic diversity in the American West, with lasting impacts on social and political dynamics
• Environmental consequences of rapid settlement and resource exploitation, including deforestation and wildlife depletion