Growth of a Nation (…2 Nations?)
As a result of the American Revolution, Britain ceded it's territory east of the Mississippi
What a Deal!What a Deal!
In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase nearly doubles the size of the young nation
– In 1819, Spain cedes Florida to the U.S. in return for the nullification of a Five Million
Dollar debt
Soon Thereafter, Mexico Wins Independence from Spain
Texas
• Southern farming spreads into Mexico• Mexico does not allow slavery• Texans Rebel against Mexico
Remember the Alamo?
• Texans gain their independence but seek admission to the U.S. as a state
Texan Independence
War with Mexico
• After nearly 10 years, the US decides the time is right to annex Texas.
• Mexico protests – war is declared
New Land!
• War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildalgo
• The U.S. obtains land in what is now California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas (1.2 million square miles!)
• The Gadsen Purchase completes our southwest territory which is referred to as the Mexican Cession.
Results of the Mexican War
Gadsen Purchase
Manifest Destiny
• Many Americans dreamed of a empire stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific
• It was our nation’s “Manifest Destiny” to overspread and possess the whole continent
A Divide Exists:Slave States vs. Free States
• The creation of slave states vs. free states is mostly about economic and political power.
• The abolition (antislavery) movement is still in it’s infancy.
Slave States vs. Free States
• As U.S. territory grows, new states are created.
• States in the North are considered Free States (no slavery)
• Southern states are considered Slave States.
• …it’s not necessarily all about slavery.
Slave States vs Free States
Life in the NorthLife in the North
• Greater population – 2.5 times more than South . . . . Why?
• More railroad track -70% of U.S. total
• More industrial – 90,000 more factories than in the South
• Wealthier - In 1860 – produced over $1.3 billion more in goods!