AP US History

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The Age of Expansionism1830-1860

• AP US History

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Background

• Territorial expansion
• Commercial development
• Technological progress
• Young America spirit of the time positive
  attitude toward market economy and industrial
  growth, a more aggressive foreign policy, and a
  celebration of virtues

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Manifest Destiny

• Believe that God had ordained American expansion
  across the continent
• Led to diplomatic confrontations with Britain and
  Mexico

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Land Acquisitions

• Webster-Ashburton Treaty, 1842
• Annexation of Texas, 1845
• Oregon dispute settled, 1846
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848
• Gadsden Purchase, 1853

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Texas Independence

• Mexico encouraged American settlement in Texas in
  the 1820s
• Led to problems by 1830s (slavery question, role
  of Catholic Church), and Mexico, under Santa
  Anna, moved to quell independence-minded Texans
• Texans revolted in 1835-1836. Rallying behind
  losses at the Alamo and Goliad, Texans defeated
  Mexico at San Jacinto
• General Sam Houston became the first president of
  the Lone Star Republic, independent until 1845

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Texas Annexation

• Jackson, president at time of Independence,
  steered clear of annexation debate
• President Tyler push for annexation, but Senate
  voted down the treaty
• President Polk successfully campaigned for the
  annexation of Texas, official in 1845

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The Mexican-American War

• Mexico refused to recognize Rio Grande as Texas
  border, and refused to sell land to U.S.
• Under Polks aggressive expansionist policies,
  the U.S. declared war on Mexico in 1846
• Under Taylor, Kearney, Fremont, and Scott, the
  U.S. military quickly prevailed

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Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, 1848

• Mexican cession most of present day New Mexico,
  Arizona and California for 15 million
• Recognition of Rio Grande as border
• U.S. government assumes American claims against
  Mexico
• Gasdsen Purchase, 1853, gave U.S. southern most
  parts of New Mexico and Arizona (potential
  southern railroad route)

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Internal Expansion

• By the 1830s, Americans moved west, attracted by
  adventure, prospect of financial gain, and (for
  the Mormons) religious freedom
• Americans traveled west on the Santa Fe Trail
  (1820s) and the Oregon Trail (1840s)
• Discovery of gold in California in 1848 led to
  mass movement westward

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Innovation and Expansion

• Telegraphs and railroads aided internal expansion
  (by the 1840s, railroads replaced canals as
  primary means of internal transport)
• Railroad and manufacturing led to boom in
  industry, more jobs, and more immigration
• Agricultural innovations eased farming and led to
  more settlement
• McCormicks reaper
• Deeres plow

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Native Americans on the Frontier

• In 1834, the national government passed the
  Indian Intercourse Act, prohibiting settlers from
  going on Indian land.
• Settlers (and the government) ignored this
  agreement as economic prospects expanded out west
• Government changed their policies several times
  in the period beyond the Civil War, stay tuned