Westward Expansion and Manifest Destiny

CH. 9 Sec. 1

Character of America in mid-1800s “While Europe looked to its

past with pride, America looked to its future.” 1. Always moving, always

doing. 2. American Prudeness 3. Strong belief in economic

and social mobility – Democratic process

4. Boastful, risk-takers 5. Above all—

Character of America in mid-1800s

Population— Doubled every 23 years. Why?▪ 1.▪ 2.▪ 3.

America was slowly but surly becoming a nativist, xenophobic society.

Americans Head West

In 1800, less the 400,000 settlers lived West of the Appalachian mountains. Americans began moving further west

for…▪ Religious reasons▪ Purchase land ▪ Seek richer soil for their crops

Manifest Destiny

Magazine editor John O’Sullivan- Manifest Destiny was the

nebulous feeling that the United States had the God-given right to “overspread” the continent - that God intended for the U.S. to capture as much territory as possible.▪ Why?

Americans Head West

First settlers called squatters. Did not own the land they resided on,

just made it their home.

Americans Head West

New technology that made farming easier prompted many people to move west. 1819-Jethro Wood- Patented

a plow with an iron blade. 1837-John Deere- Designed

a plow with a sharp steel blade to cut through hard soil.

1834-Cyrus McCormick-Patented mechanical reaper.

Oregon

Originally claimed by US, GB, Spain, and Russia.

▪ 1. Spain had ceded their claims in the Adams-Onis Treaty▪ 2. Russia had given up claims south of 54-40 in the 1820s▪ 3. British claims were based on Drake and the operation of the

Hudson Bay Company

US interest peaked after Lewis and Clark

Oregon

Americans begin flooding into Oregon and California: 1. Missionaries 2. Gold miners 3. Pioneers▪ Mountain men: Kit Carson and Jim Bridger

began trading furs and interacting with the Native Americans. ▪ Carved out passages to the west—Oregon Trail

Oregon Trail

As trails became worn, more regular people began making the trip on their own. Overlanders- Used guide books

to make the trip. ▪ Wasn’t easy. Trip took 5-6 months. ▪ Donner Party- trapped by winter

snows in the Sierra Nevada. Resorted to cannibalism to survive.

1845: 5,000 US residents in Oregon. ▪ British claim to the area weakened.

Oregon

US residents in Oregon had success in dealing with Native Americans. 1851- Treaty of Fort Laramie ▪ Gave Sioux guaranteed hunting rights and

protected reservations.

Mormon Migration

In 1844 a mob murdered the Mormon leader Joseph Smith. Brigham Young, the new

leader of the Mormons, decided to take his people west in search of religious freedom.

Several thousand Mormons emigrated on the Mormon Trail.▪ Settled on the Great Salt Lake in

Utah.

Election of 1840

“The jolliest and most idiotic presidential contest in our history” Democrats re-nominate Van Buren. Whigs nominate William Henry Harrison.▪ John Tyler runs as his VP. ▪ Military hero.▪ No platform.▪ Ignore all issues. ▪ “Tippecanoe and Tyler too”

Election of 1840

Harrison wins big: 234-60 Coldest inauguration day in history. Harrison spoke for 1 hr. 40 mins w/o a hat or

coat. ▪ Developed pneumonia. ▪ Doctors tried to save him: ▪ “After blistering and cupping him (another term for bleeding),

they administered violent emetics (induced vomiting), and cathartics (designed to clean out the bowels); then switched to opium, camphor, and brandy; finally in desperation, they administered Indian medicine man's remedies such as crude petroleum and snakeweed. These finished him - Tecumseh’s revenge perhaps.”

▪ Dies 1 month after taking office.

Tyler’s Presidency

Tyler becomes president, is a Whig, but is anti-Whig as president. 1. Opposes chartering a new bank. ▪ After he vetos it, his entire cabinet resigns. ▪ Tyler is driven to the Democrats.

2. Favors the annexation of Texas.