19th c America Territorial Expansion, Slavery, Indian Wars, Industrialization

19th Century: America : Territorial expansion, slavery, Indian wars, industrialization.

American Civilization

THE BEGINNING OF EXPANSIONISM...............................................................................................................3

I THE NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORIES.....................................................................................................3

A] THE ISSUE OF THE NORTH-WESTERN TERRITORIES.......................................................................................31. The Northwest Ordinances............................................................................................................................32. * The issue of slavery *.................................................................................................................................43. * The three fifths Clause in the Constitution *..............................................................................................44. * The 1793 fugitive slave law *.....................................................................................................................4

II THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE − 2ND MAY 1803...........................................................................................4

1. History of the Louisiana territory.................................................................................................................42. Napoleon's motives for selling Louisiana.....................................................................................................43. Jefferson’s motives for acquiring Louisiana:................................................................................................54. The purchase & its consequences:................................................................................................................5

THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION AND OTHER EXPEDITIONS.......................................................6

I THE MERRIWETHER LEWIS AND WILLIAM CLARK EXPEDITION:...............................................6

A] JEFFERSON’S AIM:..........................................................................................................................................6B] THE LEWIS & CLARK EXPEDITION:...............................................................................................................6

II OTHER EXPEDITIONS WERE TO FOLLOW.............................................................................................6

A] 1805-1806: LIEUTENANT ZEBULON PIKE......................................................................................................6B] 1811: JOHN JACOB ASTOR...........................................................................................................................7C] 1821: STEPHEN LONG..................................................................................................................................7D] 1822: WILLIAM ASHLEY.............................................................................................................................7E] 1842: FREMONT..........................................................................................................................................7

TERRITORIAL EXPANSION: FROM THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1820-1821) TO THE COMPROMISE OF 1850...........................................................................................................................................8

I THE MISSOURI COMPROMISE (1820-1821)...............................................................................................8

A] WITH TERRITORIAL EXPANSION, MORE AND MORE SLAVES WERE JOINING THE UNION................................8B] THE REASON FOR THE CRISIS:........................................................................................................................8

1. Economical Reasons for the crisis:...............................................................................................................82. Political reasons for the crisis:.....................................................................................................................8

C] MISSOURI COMPROMISE 1820:......................................................................................................................8

II THE MONROE DOCTRINE (1823):...............................................................................................................9

III TERRITORIAL EXPANSION IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY:...............................................................9

A] MANIFEST DESTINY:......................................................................................................................................9B] THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS IN 1845:.........................................................................................................10C] THE OREGON FEVER 1846 (P.74)................................................................................................................10D] THE MEXICAN WAS & THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO (1848) [P.73-83].......................................10

THE COMPROMISE OF 1850 TO THE EVE OF THE CIVIL WAR...............................................................12

I THE COMPROMISE OF 1850.......................................................................................................................12

II PROBLEMS IN KANSAS (MAP P.91)...........................................................................................................12

A] THE KANSAS NEBRASKA ACT 1854:...........................................................................................................12B] “BLEEDING KANSAS”..................................................................................................................................12

1. Unrest in Kansa:.........................................................................................................................................12

Mrs. Saint Jean Paulin 2007/2008 1


2. Retailliation to the Sack of Lawrence.........................................................................................................13

III THE DRED SCOTT CASE (1857)..............................................................................................................13

IV JOHNS BROWN’S RAID ON HARPER’S FERRY (1859).....................................................................13

FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO RECONSTRUCTION..........................................................................................14

I THE CIVIL WAR-MAIN STAGES 1861-1865..............................................................................................14

A] THE FORCES IN PRESENCE:...........................................................................................................................14B] THE FIRST OF THE WAR:..............................................................................................................................14C] FROM TENNESSEE TO GEORGIA AND CAROLINA:........................................................................................15

II RECONSTRUCTION 1865-1870 (15TH AMEND.)........................................................................................15

A] AMNESTY FOR THE SOUTH AND REINTEGRATION INTO THE UNION.............................................................15B] THE BLACK ISSUE:.......................................................................................................................................15

1. Black codes..................................................................................................................................................152. Freedmen’s bureau:....................................................................................................................................15

C] Legislative measures...................................................................................................................................16

Mrs. Saint Jean Paulin Semester 3 2


THE BEGINNING OF EXPANSIONISM

Expansionism is a process which was to the United States from coast to coast. It took place during most of the 19th century, especially the first half. Every time the issue of slavery cropped up, the 2 factors – slavery and territorial expansion – were linked. What was at stake was in fact the status of the newly formed states, and consequently the balance in the Senate between slave states and Free states. Expansionism was in fact of paramount importance in the destiny of the United States.

I The North-western territories 1 A] The issue of the North-western territories

This issue emerged as the result of various negotiations, purchases and land cessions effected throughout the years. There were negotiations with some Indian tribes in order to obtain land. For example, the state of New York had bought land from Iroquois Indians. Treaties had also been signed with tribes such as the Cherokees and the Choctaws. Besides, the various states which had what was called Western lands decided to surrender claims to what was to be called the North-western territories. They ceded their rights to the land to the federal government. The US decided to open the territory to "orderly" settlement, with the view of finally turning the territory into new states. In January 1792, Virginia gave up all its rights to the land it controlled between the boundaries of the former colonies the Eastern bank of the Mississippi. But other tribes refused to acknowledge US sovereignty over the land, and they opposed and attacked white frontiersmen. Among these tribes were the Miamis, the Delaware and the Shawnees. So it was difficult to avoid clashes and various battles took place, especially in what is now Indiana and Ohio. A Western Confederacy was formed by 8 Indian tribes, with the Miamis at their head, the idea being to gather to oppose the US encroachment2. From 1784 to 1790, there were numerous Indian raids inn Pennsylvania, Georgia and Kentucky. There were many casualties3 among the frontiersmen and settlers, especially in Kentucky. According to historians, the casualty rate was twice that of the Revolutionary War.In 1794, the battle of Fallen Timbers took place. The Indians were defeated by US soldiers and had to surrender. Consequently, in 1795, the Indians had to accept the Treaty of Greenville. Under the terms of the treaty, the US received the rights to settle on what was to become the state of Ohio with the Indians retaining only the north-western corner of the region.

1. The Northwest Ordinances

p. 44-45They were passed in 1784, 1785 and 1787, that is very soon after the birth of the US. They testify to the fact that Americans were determined to open to settlers the territory extending between Ohio, the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. So these ordinances mark the beginning of their concern for expansionism. Afterwards, the US was never to lose sight of the possibilities of expansion westward.The North-western Ordinances deal with the organization of the new territory and the process through which settlers could acquire land. The Ordinances also set the rules by which future territories could become states and enter the union.

1 North-West of Ohio, i.e. between Ohio, Mississippi and the Great Lakes.2 empiétement3 perte



In January 1784, Jefferson's Ordinance was passed, dealing with the government of the Western territories. The text was to be the basis of the 1787 North-western Ordinance.In 1785, the North-western territory Land Ordinance was adopted. The territory was divided into townships. Each of them was in turn divided into 36 sections of 640 acres. The minimum price of the land was $1 per acre and the minimum sale was 640 acres. So the minimum outlay4 was $640, a sum which was a lot for most people.In July 1787, Congress adopted another North-western Ordinance, which organized a territorial government and stipulated that 5 states would be created out of the North-western territory (Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin). Besides, the 1787 Ordinance set principles and defined the process by which future states would be admitted into the union on an equal footing with the original 13 states. The first step was the creation by Congress of a "territory" with judges and a governor who could be appointed by Congress. When the population of the territory reached 5,000 adult males, they had the right to elect a legislature of two chambers and make a temporary Constitution. When the population reached 60,000 people, they could set up a state Constitution and apply for entrance into the union as a state with the same rights as the others. This was thus a very democratic process.Other principles set by the 1787 Land Ordinance were of great importance since settlers were guaranteed:

Freedom of religion; The right to a jury trial; Abolition of slavery forever in the Northwest Territories.2. * The issue of slavery *

Slavery was abolished in some states, whether directly or progressively. Pennsylvania passed an abolition law in 1780. the Constitution of Massachusetts declared slavery unconstitutional in 1783. In 1784, Rhode Island and Connecticut adopted a different solution called "gradual emancipation". It usually meant the emancipation of children born after the passage of the law, but only after they had reached the age of 18 or 28, depending on the states. This process if though different from "manumission", which is an individual measure, through which owners could give freedom to their slaves. By the end of the 18th century, slavery was abolished in New York State. In the early 19th century, New Jersey provided for a general emancipation. In 1800, there were only 8 slaves let in New Hampshire, although the state did not abolish slavery properly. The reason for this was mainly economic and partly moral as well. Indeed, the price was very high and owning slaves was not very profitable.

3. * The three fifths Clause in the Constitution *

The number of representatives a state has the right to have depends on its population. The Clause meant that, in the process of determining how many delegates Southern states were allowed to send to the Lower House (i.e. that of representatives), slaves were partly taken into account, i.e. 3/5 of them were added up to the population figures.

4. * The 1793 fugitive slave law *

The idea was to oblige states to return fugitive slaves to their owners. This clause was already present in the Constitution but was reinforced in the South. This law required that all states should return runaway slaves to their masters.

II The Louisiana Purchase − 2 nd May 1803 (p. 58-59 & Map: p.52)

Louisiana was a huge territory, which had often changed hands during the preceding decades. It was roughly equal to the size of the US at the beginning of the 19th century. It was a huge tract of land, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border, and from the West of the Mississippi to the Rockies. The main city was New Orleans, which

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occupied a strategic place at the mouth of the Mississippi, thus controlling the traffic on the river. The river and its tributaries5 were essential means of communication.New Orleans was a harbour, which was mainly used to export farm goods produced by farmers who had progressively begun to venture into the Mississippi and the Ohio valleys. These farmers used the waterway to float their goods to New Orleans. The Mississippi was of major importance for their export trade and for communication in general.

1. History of the Louisiana territory

in 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Under the terms of this treaty, France had to give up to English hands all the territories it controlled in Canada and all those it had to the East of the Mississippi. As for Spain, it received from France all of Louisiana. But, at the beginning of the 19th century, Spain was much weaker militarily than France, and Napoleon forced Spain to cede Louisiana back to France. In October 1800, the Treaty of San Ildefonso was signed and Louisiana was returned to France. In 1803, Napoleon sold Louisiana to the US (cf. book p. 54-55 "Consequences", 58-59).

2. Napoleon's motives for selling Louisiana

He had always been in bad terms with England. He was well aware that, because of the distance, general circumstances and weak French implantation, France would probably lose its possessions in North America (= Louisiana) since Britain was already controlling Canada.Besides Napoleon had to cope with a rebellion in the West Indies, especially in Haiti. The revolt of Black leader Toussaint L’Ouverture in 1802 cost the French lost of about 24.000 troupes as a result of Black rebellion and also because of the yellow flue. Napoleon was not ready to run the risk of another possible disaster in America. A third reason was the necessity of filling the French Treasury in order to fund Frances expansionist ambition in Europe. Forth there are new doubt, Napoleon prefers to see Louisiana in America’s hand since Great Britain was much more power on the world stage, and it was France old rival and enemy.

3. Jefferson’s motives for acquiring Louisiana:

The possession of Louisiana was a long held dream associated with a bright future. Jefferson war far from being opposed to the idea of American territorial expansion.He has dreamt to a nation which would go from coast to coast and would offer plenty of opportunity and room for future development.The control of such a large territory would provide settlers new opportunities at a time when many politicians including himself thought America would and should be essentially an agricultural country. In fact many Americans were fascinated by the large territory lying beyond the Mississippi river and they had the sense that their future would be brighter if the United States could control it.A second reason was the need for the peace and safety with the Indians, they were many tensions on the border of the young republic and in several places. The Indians were pitted against the settlers and nobody was ready to yield ground. So Jefferson thought the acquisition of Louisiana would be a way of easing tension by removing the Indians to a new territory to make more room for the settlers.Third reason was the need to avoid tension with Western power such as Spain or France. With a western nation controlling Louisiana the United States was not as independent as it wishes to be. Just a few months before the purchase, Spain had forbidden American farmer to store their gods in New Orleans before shipping them to Europe. For the American such a move was alarming as it could choke the economic development of the Western part of what was the United States.The best solution would be to control the outlet through which farm products (grain, meat) and also furs were exported to Europe. The United States was ready to defend its interest.

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When the Americans eared about the deal between France and Spain about Louisiana (at 1800) they were still more alarmed since France was stronger politically and military than Spain.Jefferson feared France would sooner of later became a threat for America trading rights and would prevents farmer from exporting trough New Orleans the gods grown in the Mississippi and the Ohio Valleys.Still more alarming that France might try to rebuild his North America Empire and attempt to develop a colonial policy on the American continent to counterbalance the British Empire.Jefferson worried as he feared Napoleonic expansionist dreams and was well aware that if France decided to develop its settlements in America it would be American’s interest to ally itself to Great Britain.In fact Jefferson was relieved when France agreed to sell to United States its huge territory. United States needed above all peace to develop its economy and was eager to avoid foreign entanglements and it chooses to adopt a neutral policy.

4. The purchase & its consequences:

In the constitution, no provision had made for such a purchase but Jefferson seized the opportunities and took it under himself the purchase on the grounds that it was an implicit part of his power as President.1803 he sent Monroe in France in order to negotiate the purchase of New Orleans at the same time a militia was raised and the United States prepare itself to war in case of tension with France (Si vis pacem para bellum). Suddenly France offers to sell the territory for $15 million and the Americans seized the opportunity. The Louisiana Purchase was widely popular in America and Jefferson was reelected that enabled him to impose himself as a state-man of unchallenged stature.The consequences of the purchase = huge eco & politic ones. Within a few decades the United States turned the land into one of the world’s largest granaries, growing corn & wheat. Then they were able to start exporting food.The United States gained control of the waterways of the Mississippi & Missouri valleys, which constitute the central water-system of the continent and could boost the economy.Robert Fullon’s invention of the steam boat made it safer to use inland waterways and it improved communication & exchanges.The United States could then safely pursue its expansionist dreams on the continent without finding itself confronted to a major strong European power.



THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION AND OTHER EXPEDITIONS

I The Merriwether Lewis and William Clark expedition: A] Jefferson’s aim:

In 1803, Jefferson decided to send an exploring mission to the pacific, out of scientific curiosity. He wanted to know more the fauna & flora, the waterways, the layout6 of the place, the inhabitants… Told Lewis and Clark he wanted the territory to be mapped and described.Economic motives also largely accounted for the decision. In those days, furs were in great demand, many Indians tribes used to sell them to the British in Canada. Jefferson’s aim was to open up the Missouri River country to American fur traders. By establishing contact with the tribes and encouraging trade with them, he hoped to divert part of what was highly profitable trade. The Indians would send the furs down the Missouri to the Americans and the idea was that the expedition should lay the basis for an American fur company that would be able to compete efficiently with British or Canadians Fur Traders.So the expedition reflected Jefferson’s interest in the West. He was aware of the potential of the place and tried to push the frontier further.Also, politic and diplomatic motives. Jefferson wanted to assert American presence in the face of the British and Spanish.

B] The Lewis & Clark expedition:

p.56-57 & map.52Lewis & Clark found themselves at the head of about 40 men. They were both in their late 20’s from Virginia. They already know each other and were friends. Besides, they had been or were still in the military. They already know the West and the Indians rather well & had the experience of the Frontier. On March 14th 1804, 5 boats left St Louis (Missouri) to go up the Missouri river. Actually, the expedition had been planed in secret before the Louisiana Purchase but it was by no means a military one.The whites brought gifts & American manufactured product to advertise them and show the Indians it was in their interest to establish trade contact with the whites.The expedition received the help of Indians and trappers, among whom there was a Franco-Canadian trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau and his Indian wife Sacagewa who served as an interpret.In November 1805, they finally reached the pacific and built Fort Clatsep.A few months later (spring 1806) they started their journey back. Then decided to separate and follow tow different routes. Several months later Lewis & Clark made their junction and arrived together in Saint Louis in September 1806.The expedition had taken them 28 months.As reward, Lewis was appointed governor of the Louisiana territory and Clark became governor of the Missouri territory.After his return, Clark helps create the Missouri Fur Company.

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II Other expeditions were to follow A] 1805-1806: Lieutenant Zebulon Pike

He was in search of the sources of the Missouri River and attempted to find a navigable route to the pacific. Also went to present day Colorado, then into Spanish territory, where he was arrested by the Spanish. Pike and his men were held captive for several months before their release. The motive for these expeditions was, here again, commercial. In his reports, Pike gave an account of the potential market constituted by south-western Spanish cities, and also emphasized the profits that could be made with furs and precious minerals such as silver. The road to the south-west was to become a reality in the 1820s with the opening of the Santa Fe trail.

B] 1811: John Jacob ASTOR

He rounded Cape Horn, then sailed north along the Pacific coast, and created a trading post7 at the mouth of the Columbia River named Astoria.

C] 1821: Stephen LONG

He explored part of Missouri and Arkansas, a region called the Great American Desert.

D] 1822: William ASHLEY

He founded the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.Jefferson was very proud of his own achievements with the Louisiana Purchase, and claimed credit for American expansion towards the Pacific. The Louisiana Purchase removed obstacles which could have hampered8 American commercial growth. Therefore Jefferson's re-election was a triumph.

E] 1842: FREMONT

He led an expedition on the Platte River. He also explored what was called the South Pass, which opened the way to Oregon and California. He had trappers with him, among whom was Kit Carson who served as a guide to Fremont.

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TERRITORIAL EXPANSION: FROM THE MISSOURI

COMPROMISE (1820-1821) TO THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The question of slavery had always been divisive ever since the foundation of the US. When the Constitution was drafted, the issue was carefully avoided, but Jefferson was well aware that it might hamper the survival of the union. On January 1st 1808, the overseas trade came to an end, i.e. no more slaves were brought from Africa to the US. Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution states: "The migration or importation of such persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit shall not be prohibited by Congress prior to the year 1808; but a tax may be imposed on such importation, not exceeding $10 for each person."

I The Missouri Compromise (1820-1821) A] With territorial expansion, more and more slaves were joining the union

In 1812, Louisiana entered the union as a slave state. In 1816, Indiana entered the union as a free state. In 1817, Mississippi entered the union as a slave state. In 1818, Illinois entered the union as a free state. In 1819, Alabama entered the union as a slave state. Thus, in 1819, the union consisted of 22 states; 11 were slave states and 11 were Free states. Missouri is to the west of the Mississippi and was once part of the territories acquired through the Louisiana Purchase. It is roughly on the same latitude as Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, which were Free states.Opponents to slavery thought its prohibition adopted with the North West ordinance should be extended to Missouri. Meanwhile, in February 1819 Missouri residents petitioned the Congress for admission to the Union as a slave state.

B] The reason for the crisis:

Eco, policy, mentalities various reasons. Mentalities were changing. In the North, the “particular institution” (=slavery) was dying out and there was growing concern for reforms including complete abolition. Women commonly denounced slavery but it was difficult for them to mobilize properly since they didn’t have political power. The problem with Missouri was that the settlers were often born in Kentucky and Tennessee, which were two slave states. Hence their reluctance to give up the practice.

1. Economical Reasons for the crisis:

Economies has also involved in very way the north was developing its commercial and manufacturing activities, whereas the South remained based on agriculture. E.g. cotton, other crops, more especially based on the plantation system and slavery. Slavery was expanding as more and more land was brought under cultivation. The system thus provided the planters with a much-needed workforce very few white people accepted to move to South and work there. In fact West world expansion within a few decades, the rising movement for reform, the rivalry among states and the people needed for balance between free and slavery made the issues of slavery unavoidable.



2. Political reasons for the crisis:

What was at stake was the political balance between the two kinds of states, which underlined their conflicted interest and their desire to control the Union & its evolution. Quest for power. And the Missouri crisis just highlighted the different paths followed by the North and the South. If Missouri entered the Union as a slave state the balance at the Senate will be tilted in favor of slave states. As for the House it had a Northern Majority since Northern states were more populated.

C] Missouri Compromise 1820:

Attempts were made to find a solution before the crisis broke out on February 1819, James Tallmadge, who was the representative of New York state, introduces an amendment providing for the gradual emancipation of salve in Missouri. The amendment passed in the Senate but rejected by the House. 182 the Missouri Compromise immerged under pressure from House speaker, Henry Clay.

Slavery was prohibited forever in the territories acquired by the Louisiana Purchase to the North of 36° 30’’ parallel, excepting in Missouri. Missouri was accepted as a slave state. But in order to maintain the balance in the Senate another state Maine was created on purpose and was admitted into the Union as a free state.

A few months later the problem of slavery in Missouri cropped up again. In it constitution drafted before the Missouri Compromise, Missouri has explicitly barred free blacks for entering the territory. But some Eastern states regarded black as citizens who as such were protected by the Constitution. In 1821 a new compromise immerged Missouri has to promise that none of its laws will discriminated against citizen from other states. Missouri didn’t keep his word and it twice adopted law banning free blacks. These 1820-21 congressional agreements are collectively known as Missouri Compromise. It was a temporary solution to a growing problem significant enough during the crisis, to ominous word were uttered: disunion and Civil War. Because its dual nature was made more and more evident as expansion was proceeding the Union contained the seeds of the conflict to come.

II The Monroe Doctrine (1823): The western hemisphere is constituted of the Americas and the rest of the world in considered as the Eastern hemisphere.President Monroe was very worried about Russian expansion on the western coast of America and was annoyed Russian claims to territory which expanded to the south of Alaska. Monroe’s feared a possible conflict might pitted Russia against the United States or England, Spain or Mexico against United States.On December the 2nd 1823 in his annual message to Congress thought to defined guideline and set clear rules concerning the spheres of influence of the United States and of European power.The idea was to assess American predominance on the continent and to avoid territorial confrontation with England and Mexico.

He calls for none colonization of the western hemisphere by the European power. He demanded none intervention by European power those in the affairs of these new-world nation that were independent.



He pledged non intervention by the United States in European affairs including in the European new-world colonies.

In a world he called for a Status Quo which was the best way to maintain peace with other western powers and Mexico. (Discourse of Monroe in front of his Congress.)

III Territorial expansion in the mid-19 th century: A] Manifest Destiny:

Definition: Manifest destiny is the belief that America expansion in inevitable and justified the expansion was coined by a journalist: John O’Sullivan, a democrat in a 1845 article about the annexation of Texas. He wrote about “the fulfillment of our Manifest Destiny to overspread the continent allotted by Providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.”This definition aptly fits into the general context. In fact, the Americans had been holding similar views for decades, but it was the first time such a rhetoric was being used to justified the expansion process. It should also be kept in mind that Americans had always been land-hungry, ever since they first set foot on the continent.The acquisition of Florida had accelerated a process set in motion by the North West Ordinance.Another point to be made is that agrarian democrats in particular saw that West as a possible antidote to industrialization and urbanization.O’Sullivan’s words echoed the ideas put into practice by many of his countrymen. From 1830 to 1860, the proportion of Americans living West of the Appalachians doubled, passing from ¼ to ½ of them. Expansionism was also spurred9 by national pride as people Western increasingly convinced their country ha a part to play on the world stage. They also thought Western expansion was food in itself. As for the Indians, they were considered as “savages” who could be easily be removed to the West of the Mississippi. Another reason for the expansionism fever of the 1840’s was the quest for security and the desire to protect the Nation from external threats and in particular from the encroachments and the greed of Great Britain.As for the region under the control of Mexico in the American eyes it was better to either buy or conquer them. The notion of Frontier to be push further West has actually lingered for age in the American psyche.

B] The annexation of Texas in 1845:

In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain. It then encouraged the development of Texas by offering virtually free land to people who brought 200 or more families with them in the area. People were also suppose to become Mexican citizen and to became converse to the catholic religion. Americans like Steven Austin eagerly responded and by 1835 about 35.000 Americans, including many slave owners were living in Texas.The Mexican government decided to tighten its control over the region but American settlers rebelled together with part of the Hispanic population. In 1836 at the battle of Alamo (San Antonio, Te.) a handful of insurgents (200) who had entrenched themselves in a mission where defeated by Mexican soldiers under the command of general Santa Ana. All insurgents were killed including Davy Crockett. But “remember the Alamo” became the Texas’s rallying cry and a few months later by the end of 1836 Texas had defeated the Mexicans and won its independence from Mexico (San Jacinto.)The Indians of Texas was seen as the victory of American’s protectionism over Mexican’s Catholicism and through annexation to the United States. The president of Texas Sam Huston opened negotiation with the government in Washington but anti-slavery supporters opposed the move. Texas then thought of developing close tie with the Great Britain and expanding to the Pacific coast.

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In 1844 president Tyler pushed for annexation but the treaty was first rejected by the senate. After much debate and hesitation from congress Tyler was finally able to sign the treaty just before leaving office, his successor was president James K. Polk.

C] The Oregon Fever 1846 (p.74)

In 1841 thousands of people were struck by the Oregon fever, they were lured by report from missionary and other who praised the beauty of landscape and the considerable possibilities and profits which could be made in the North West.Hundreds of wagon trains were organized to meet the demand and people made their way on the Oregon trail thus embarking on a 2.000 miles long journey which commonly took a five or six months. Within a few years about 5.000 settlers had reached the Columbia Valley.One problem the American government was confronted with, was the states of the Oregon territory which had been jointly administrate by United States and Great Britain since 1818.The 49th parallel was finally adopted as a boundary. A few years later Oregon was fully integrated into the United States. (1959)

D] The Mexican was & the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) [p.73-83]

Over the years, abortive attempts had been made but the government in Washington to purchase New Mexico & California from Mexico. Besides, many boundary disputes had opposed the two nations for months if not for years. Polk suddenly seized an opportunity & declared war on Mexico. The 1846-48 war led to overwhelming American victory & Mexico was obliged to sign a treaty which gave US control over vast territories.Terms of the treaty:Mexico had to cede California & New Mexico to the US for the sum $15.000.000. It was also obliged to acknowledge the annexation of Texas by the US with the Rio Grande as the Boundary. The treaty added to the US a vast territory which includes the present day state of New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah (The Mexican cession.)As for California at the beginning of 1845 there was a revolt as native Californian staged and uprising in Sonoma (county in northern California) against Mexico and the town was occupied and the “Bear Flag Republic” was proclaimed. In 1846 California declared itself an independent republic. In the 1848 treaty Mexico officially acknowledge its loss of California and New Mexico.In 1848 Polk confirmed that gold had been found in northern California beginning of the gold rush. In 1849 there were even more pioneer moving to California known as the “forty-niners.”In 1850 California was granted statehood.Under Polk’s presidency the acquisition of Texas, California, Oregon and the Mexican cession was a significant importance. It was a track of land as large as the land acquired a few decades before through Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase and it became part of the US’s territory.



THE COMPROMISE OF 1850 TO THE EVE OF THE CIVIL WAR

In 1828 and 1832 protectionist tariff were passed at federal level the idea was to protect the burgeoning American industry against British product which were present on the market at relatively low price. The problem for South Carolina and other slave states was that seven agricultures needed to be able to trade with GB. SC thus declared that the protectionist tariff were not valid. The nullification crisis (1832) in a way highlighted the growing diff between northern and southern economy, which lead to a compromise.In 1846 an attempt was made to promote free soil with the Wilmot Proviso a measure propose by Wilmot who was a northern democrat, he call for a resolution which would ban slavery from the new western territory, but the proviso was defeated

I The Compromise of 1850 The Mexican cession and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 soon spurred renewed tensions about the measures to be taken to either promote or prohibit the expansion of slave. President Zachary Taylor who was a slave holder himself tried to find a compromise between the supporters and the opponents of slavery in the new territory but southerners were dismayed by his claim, and 9,7 states claimed to send delegates to a seven convention which was scheduled to meet un Nashville (Ten.) in June 1750. Confronted to this growing tensions throughout the United States Emery Clay who had devised the Missouri compromise and help to solve the Nullification crisis once more acted as a conciliator, and he negotiated a compromise of 1851.

The principle of popular sovereignty also called “squatter sovereignty” was applied to territory such as New Mexico and Utah line outside the Louisiana Purchase and hence outside the limits of the Missouri Compromise. There were opened to freedom or slavery on the principle of popular sovereignty. The resolution of the Texas New Mexico boundary disagreement Federal assumption of the debts of Texas Statehood for California, which enters the Union as a free state. The abolition of the slave trade in the District of Columbia. A new fugitive slave law was passed.

Yet in response of the new fugitive slave act, vigilance committees sprung up in many northern communities, besides nine northern states passed “personal liberty laws” and they used obstructive techniques to delay as much as possible and prevent the enforcement of the fugitive slave act.

II Problems in Kansas (map p.91) A] The Kansas Nebraska Act 1854:

The issue of the stator of this territories unexpectedly crop up with Stephen Douglas’s project. SD was a democrat from Illinois and one of the architects of the compromise of 1850 but h hopped to have a transcontinental rail road built across the great planes. There was a dispute about where to build it and in order to have the bill passed he decided to rally as many supporters as possible. So yielded to pressure from seven congressmen. The bill he introduced in 1854 to establish the Kansas and Nebraska territory replied the 36° 30’’ limits in the compromise of 1820 thus toying the land to opened slavery. It should be kept in mind that Kansas and Nebraska were inside the boundary of the Louisiana Purchase and to the north of the 36° 30’’ parallel as such they were supposed to be off the limits of slavery as defined by the compromise of 1820.



B] “Bleeding Kansas”

1. Unrest in Kansa:

In a weak of the Kansas Nebraska act of 1854 abolitionist set up a campaign aimed at sending anti-slavery settler into Kansas, but few of them made the trip. The bulk of the territories settlers actually came Missouri, which a slave state and Kansas was soon to become a battleground between Free State and slave state supporters. An election took place, which saw the victory of slavery supporters and a government set up in Lecompton. It was recognized by the federal government.The Lecompton government immediately passed significant pieces of legislation:

The expulsion of major anti slavery leaders People could not be appointed to some public offices unless they swore allegiance to slavery before. The harboring of fugitive slaves could fetch a ten years imprisonment. The circulation of abolitionist literature is strictly ban.2. Retailliation to the Sack of Lawrence

In May 1866 the Lecompton government dispatched a party of armed men who sacked the town of Lawrence which was mainly an abolitionist place. The men destroyed a couple of printed presses which were used to print anti-slavery pamphlet.John Brown was a white man and an ardent supporter of abolitionism he soon persuaded himself that is was his moral duty to attack pro-slavery supporters and he firmly believe that he had been chosen by God to perform the task. At the end of May of 1866 John Brown and a few other men attacked and killed five slave holders who were associated with the Lecompton the Pottawatomie massacre as new became known of the incident a wave of fear threat to the country as the supporters of slavery believed that the abolitionist were preparing to launch an overall attack against them so they organize themselves to thwart the abolitionist attempt.

III The Dred Scott case (1857) Dred Scott was a slave who had been brought by his master from Missouri into Illinois and Wisconsin which were both free states. After his master death he sued for freedom on the grounds that he was residing in a free state. He won his lawsuit and the jury set him free but the heirs of his deceased master appealed the decision (1852) and the Missouri Supreme Court overturn the verdict, ordering to return Scott to slavery. In 1856 the case finally reached the Supreme Court in Washington which was composed of six judges five of them being from slave state. As could be expected the Supreme Court in Washington rule that:

Scott’s residents in a free residence in a free territories for years did not make him free Scott as a slave did not have the right to sue for freedom. No black whether a slave or a free person descended from a slave could become an American citizen. The Supreme Court went even further, claiming that the Missouri Compromise of 1820-21 was unconstitutional since it violated the 5th amendment (protection of property including slave.) The very fact that Wisconsin was a free state and forbade slavery on his soil was dim unconstitutional. With such a decision the Supreme Court in Washington rejected the principle lined behind the Missouri Compromise as unconstitutional. It thus went further than the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854.

The problem rise by slavery being brought to the fore. Yet while it was eager to soothe tensions and to avoid the partition of the Nation, Lincoln at that time just advocated free soil as a step toward the extinction of slavery in the South.



IV Johns Brown’s Raid on Harper’s Ferry (1859) In October 1859 John Brown launch a raid with about 12 men on the federal arsenal of Harper’s Ferry in Virginia. He hoped to trigger a massive slave uprising and he had extensive ties to northern abolitionists but the expedition suffered from poor preparation and was a fiasco. One reason was that the slave has not been informed of the plan to prevent any leaks. The raiders were overpowered by federal troops under the command of Robert L. Lee. John Brown has to stand trial, he was found guilty, was convicted of treason and he was hanged in December 1859. In northern eyes he became a martyr of the abolitionist cause. He was praised by William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist and also by Emerson for his sacrifice. In many places in the north the bells tolled on the day when he was executed. Yet many republicans including Lincoln denounced his raid as foolish either because it was a failure or in order to placate rising tensions nationwide.

John Browns raid rekindled fears of slave uprisings as rumors of slave plots and conspiracies to devastate the plantation swept trough the South. His abortive raid played into the hands of seven extremist known as fire-eaters.



FROM THE CIVIL WAR TO RECONSTRUCTION

The Civil War 1861-1865.It’s the 1st modern war since modern techniques such as the telegraph, railroad, armored ships and photography were used for the 1st time. There were very heavy casualties as it cost the lives of 600.000 men and around the same number were wounded. Whole regions of the country, especially in the South were devastated.The civil had major consequences for the United States the 13th amendment passed in 1865 freed from 3,5 million to nearly 4 million slaves.The Civil War also had significant consequences for the world since the United States partly turned itself from a agrarian society and the war ended with the victory of the North, which was being industrialized.Yet on December 24th 1865 the Ku Klux Klan was founded in Tennessee.

I The Civil War-Main Stages 1861-1865 A] The forces in presence:

At the outbreak of the Civil War the forces were as follows:

The north was compose of 23 states and had a population of 22 million people, among whom 4 million men being old enough to bear arms. As for the south it consisted of 11 states and had a population of 5 million people, among whom 1.1 million white men who where old enough to bear arms.

Besides the N had twice as many miles of railroad track as the south (North: 35.200Km; South: 14.500Km)

Among the best known actors in the conflict:

Ulysses Grant general north army president of the United States Georges McClellan (North) Burn Side (North) Joseph Hooker (North) Sherman (North) Robert Lee (South)

The war was to be waged on three fronts:

Virginia The Mississippi Valley The southern Coast

As early as April 1861 Lincoln decided to blockaded southern ports.

B] The first of the War:

On April 12th, 1861, war broke out with the attack by the confederates of Fort Sumter near Charlestown in Virginia.

Lincoln then called 75.000 volunteers for a period of Three months.

In July 1861 the 1st battle of Bull Run (Vir) defeat for the Union.

In August 1862 battle of Bull Run (Vir) defeat for the Union.



1863 the Union mobilized all men aged 20 to 45.

On May 4th, 1863 Lee defeated the North at the battle of Chancellors Ville then he crossed the river (Potomac) and was ready to invade Pennsylvania.

On May 22nd, 1863 Lee besieged Vicksburg on the Mississippi river and Vicksburg surrendered on July 4th 1863. with this victory the confederacy lost control of the Mississippi river.

1st-3rd July 1863 battle of Gettysburg very bloody battle and another defeat for the confederacy and the confederate had to withdraw to Virginia.

19th November 1863 Lincoln delivered a famous speech as he inaugurated the Gettysburg’s cemetery: The Gettysburg Address.

C] From Tennessee to Georgia and Carolina:

On November 25th, 1864 Grant took over Chattanooga, which was a major railroad hub. The consequence was severed into two parts, which were unable to communicate. On May 4th, 1864 Sherman went to Georgia September 1864 Sherman stormed Atlanta then marched to the sea, destroying everything on his way. In December 1864 Sherman took Savannah (Georgia) 1865 Sherman moved through the Carolinas devastating everything. On February 18th, 1865 Sherman occupied Charlestown. The confederates then promised the would free those slaves who enrolled into the confederate army On April 9th 1865 Lee surrendered to Grant at the Battle of Appomattox in Virginia The end of the Civil War.

On April 18th Johnston surrendered to Sherman in North Caroline.

II Reconstruction 1865-1870 (15 th amend.) On May the 10th 1865 Jefferson Davis was at the president of the confederacies was arrested. In 1877 the last union troupes left the south.

A] Amnesty for the south and reintegration into the union

In December 1863 Lincoln issued a proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction. 7 states to be allowed to form governments provided and an oath of allegiance to the union was taken by at least 10% of the voters who had participated in the 1860 election. Voters also had to accept emancipation. As for confederate official and military officers they were requested to apply for presidential pardon.

In 1865 when Lincoln was assassinated vice president Andrew Johnson took the oath and succeed him. He was aware of the necessity of reintegrating rebel states into the union but the measure he took were far to lenient (soft.) On may 19th 1865 Johnson reconstruction program started: Although he wanted to remove the leadership class of the South. Johnson barred certain category of southerners from taking the oath and generally speaking pardon and amnesty were handed out too liberally. Besides southerners recovered their property except slave. Plans for the punishment of treason were abandoned. As a consequence of those measures many planters returned to their former land and the old leadership class was more or less back in power. By December 1865 all the former rebel states had accepted reintegration into the Union, except the Mississippi.



B] The black issue:

1. Black codes

November 1865: black codes were set up in Mississippi in order to limit the right of the former slaves, and in fact those codes replace former slave codes. Black codes recognize some basic rights to freedmen among which:

Marriage and ownership to property. Freedmen could also testified in court, but only in cases against other blacks

Other harmful closes were included the aim being in fact to set up a landless class of black people who would work on plantation. Measures were also taken to prevent them from leaving the land.E.g.: Labor contract were established and those freedmen would refused to sign them could be arrested for vagrancy.

2. Freedmen’s bureau:

As for the freedmen’s bureau it was established in March 1865 just a few weeks before the South surrounded at Appomattox on April 9th 1865. The idea was to help former slaves and protect them, and help them to improve their lot. The Freedmen’s bureau was mainly staffed by former Union army officers and it provided black people with food and medical care and it undertook to launch a school building program. The Freedmen’ bureau also put black people to work on land which did not belong to anybody. Unfortunately in June 1872 the Freedmen’s bureau closed down and blacks were left to themselves.

C] Legislative measures

March 1866: a civil rights act was passed by congress over Johnson veto. African-Americans became American citizens. December 1865: the 13th amend. was ratified (end of slavery) July 1868: the 14th amend. was ratified (citizenship for black people) March 1870: ratification of the 15th amendment. The 14th amendment was an effort at limiting states rights it guarantied American citizenship to freed black, it also said that if suffrage was denied by a state to any male citizen on account of race the representation of the state in congress would be proportionally reduce. Among the other elements of the 14th amend all pre-war office holders were disqualified from state and national offices.


Documents

19th c America Territorial Expansion, Slavery, Indian Wars, Industrialization