Reshaping The American NationSociety and Reform

Unit 6

Social Expansion

Explain the impact that the expansion had on…

• The American nation?

• The Native American?

Manifest DestinyAttitude: It is our destiny

is to expand west to the Pacific

Caused by:

• Increased population in the east

Population changes

Use the chart on page 301 to answer the following:

1. In which decade did America see the largest percentage increase in Irish immigrants? In German immigrants?

2. What might be some reasons for the drastic increase?

3. What impact did these populations and population increases have on the American nation?

Early Immigrants

• Why did they leave Europe?

• What did the experience when they got here?– Often treated as subhuman

• How they dealt with American society:– Developed ethnic neighborhoods

–Most unskilled immigrants (Irish) were unable to find employment

• Eventually blended cultures…examples?

• Impact on American society?

Irish v. Germans

Anti-foreignism

Anti-foreignism

Anti-foreignism

• What actions were taken by the Nativists to enforce their beliefs?

• On what basis did the Nativists build their prejudice?

Trails west

• Santa Fe Trail –Trade route from Independence, Missouri to Sante Fe, a distance of over 780 miles. Used primarily from 1821 to 1848.

• Oregon Trail – Started in 1836. Followed some of Lewis and Clark’s journey, traveling from Independence, Missouri to Portland, Oregon, a journey of over 2000 miles.

• “Nation’s largest grave yard”…over 65,000 deaths of 25 years

Settlers vs. Natives

(1832) Black Hawk’s War: Settlers fight with native tribes over land in Illinois

• Result: Natives are forced further west into the Great Plains area

Significance?

Settlers vs. Natives

(1851) Laramie Treaty: Creates temporary peace

• Creates borders around native lands

• Natives agreed not to attack settlers

• U.S. government agreed to honor the borders and to pay natives for the use of the land– Never honored

Social Expansion

Explain the impact that the geographical expansion had on…

• The American Nation?

• The Native American?

Reform movements(1830s-1850s)

Essential question

• How did religion and literature shape social and political reforms in the years 1800-1850?

The 2nd Great Awakening1790s-1830s

Focus?

The 2nd Great Awakening1790s-1830s

Personal Responsibility

Focus?

Finding perfection on

earth

Revivalism

Revivals were the means by which the Second Great Awakening Spread.

Revivals were the site of impassioned preaching, usually in tents or halls, to awaken faith and spark conversion.

Impact on society? On politics?

Literary MovementsTranscendentalism

A Philosophical and Literary MovementEmphasizes: simple life, truth found in nature,

imagination and artIdeals: individualism, freedom, self-reliance

Ralph Waldo Emerson: founder and leader

Henry David Thoreau: ReformerWrote Walden and Civil Disobedience

Impact on society? On politics?

Essential question

• How did religion and literature shape social and political reforms in the years 1800-1850?

Social ReformsSchool and Prison Reform

Horace Mann – establishes and reforms public schools system in Massachusetts. Model for most of US.

Dorothea Dix – Reforms prisons & asylums Reformed care of mentally ill in South 1845-1852

Women’s Rights

1840s:• Women become active citizens• Focus on:– Abolishment of slavery– Temperance– Education for women

• 1848 Seneca Falls Convention:

Abolition movement

• Be able to identify and explain the following parts to the abolition movement:–What was the origins and mission of the

movement?

–Who were the leaders and what role did they play?

–What were the views of the opposition (pro-slavery side)?

Abolition movement

• Mission?

• What were some of the early actions?

• Gained strength in the 1830s…why?

• Reflected in all movements– Ex: Religious leaders called it the “great national

sin”

Major LeadersWilliam Lloyd Garrison Frederick Douglas

What is the message?

General Pro-Slavery mentality

General Pro-Slavery mentality

General Pro-Slavery mentality

Underground Railroad

Underground Railroad

• A system of escape routes used to smuggle slaves out of the slave states

• Those who helped lead the slaves along the route were called “conductors”– Example: Harriet

Tubman…helped 300 slaves and made 19 trips

Uncle Tom’s Cabin

• Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1852

• A response to the Fugitive slave act

• Ignited massive antislavery movements/protests

• Made slavery a moral as well as a political issue

• By 1853, sold out every other book except the Bible

Abolition movement

• Be able to identify and explain the following parts to the abolition movement:–What was the mission of the movement?

–Who were the leaders and what role did they play?

–What were the views of the opposition (pro-slavery side)?