A Difficult Past: How the Americas ChangedKyle Fluck

America During the 19th Century

• The 19th century marked the start of growth in America• The gold rush in the west created a rapid movement of

settlers and immigrants • This movement caused the native Americans to lose

their land because they were unable to fight off the incoming invaders

• America became a place for immigrants to find adventure and start a new life, hopefully one of prosperity

• The 19th Century marked an era of independence for the United states, Canada, and Latin America, it was an era of mass immigration and large economic growth.

Canada

• Canada gained its independence over time with much negotiation.

• There was not much of a strong government for Canada for a good amount of time.

• It took the British Canadians and French Canadians working together to finally put the country together and establish a strong government.

The Little Ice Age

• 1645 marked the time when glaciers started moving gradually thus creating problems for anything in their path.

• Due to the change in temperature many parts of Europe delt with harsh temperatures and weather.

• This Ice age was documented greatly by those going through it and observing it.

• There is no specific explanation for the drop in temperature, many scientist believe it could have been volcanic activity or something relating to solar activity.

Frontiers of the Americas• The purchase of the Louisiana territory by Jefferson

is what really spurred the movement west. • The main point of the purchase was to take away

France and Spain's power to block Americas trade access.

• The purchase marked a time of great expansion for America and the start of a movement across the west.

North American FrontiersNative Americans

• In 1832, Prince Alexander embarked on a mission to explore the west and record his findings and journey.

• His journey led him to collect samples of new species and artifacts.

• With him was a Swiss painter named Karl Bodmer, he is known for his accurate painting of early native Americans.

• These men sought the public recognition of valor, honor and upholding standards was very important to these men.

Crossroads To Freedom

• The war between the North and South had several of Americas greatest leaders in it.

• General George B. McCellan led the Union troops, he was known as the “Young Napoleon” and was adored by his soldiers, he was very methodical and slow to action which led to questions about his loyalty, he later became overshadowed by Ulysses S. Grant

• On the other side Robert E. Lee was a great leader and risk taker which made him dangerous and easy to take advantage of by a smarter opponent.

• Grant eventually took the lead in the war by taking risks that payed off and pushed the south backwards.

• He was able to bring the final blow to the confederates by continually attacking with fast and stealthy attacks.

Crossroads to freedom (Cont)• The reason for the civil war was that 11

states of the Confederacy established a government with armies that controlled and protecteted their policies and land.

• President Lincoln did not see this as a good way to create a nation of equality and a way to preserve the Union, so he had to invade and declare war.

• Lincoln had the greatest effect during the war by revitalizing the Norths efforts by appointing generals who would get the job done, he also issued a call for more troops and state militia.

• Britian and France decided to assist the confederacy because the cotton famine began to take its toll on them due to the war in America.

Crossroads of freedom

• Due to the lack of constitutional power to stop slavery in the states and the need for political support, Lincoln had to wait for the North to have a major victory and sway the momentum in their favor to implement emancipation across the nation.

• Many slaves were taken from the south and joined the North in their war efforts.

• The political divisions in the Union created windows of opportunity for the South and prompted the British and French to take sides with the South.

• When both sides entered Maryland for battle the expectations on both sides were not met which shifted the morale and gave the North the push it needed to claim ultimate victory.

• The South had no choice to retreat which provided the North with the chance to crush their opponents for good, but the retreat was seen as a victory with no need for more bloodshed.

Crossroads of Freedom

• The victory for the North led to Lincoln writing the historic document “Emancipation Proclamation” which freed all slaves across America.

• The emancipation created much political fallout, it did not overthrow Lincolns power in Washington and marked a new age for America.