Quest for Empire
From the Beginning
Essential Question
What were the major causes and effects of various expansionary times in U.S. history - i.e., territorially, economically and or politically? – *documents: Greenville Treaty, Thomas
Jefferson Letter to John Breckenridge,August 12, 1803
Florida State Standards
BENCHMARKBENCHMARK SS.8.A.4.1: Examine the causes, course, and consequences of United
States westward expansion and its growing diplomatic assertiveness (War of 1812, Convention of 1818, Adams-Onis Treaty, Missouri Compromise, Monroe Doctrine, Trail of Tears, Texas annexation, Manifest Destiny, Oregon Territory, Mexican American War/Mexican Cession, California Gold Rush, Compromise of 1850, Kansas-Nebraska Act, Gadsden Purchase »
Related access pointsRelated access points SS.8.A.4.In.a: Identify major events and consequences of America’s
westward expansion, such as the War of 1812, the acquisition of Florida, the Trail of Tears, and the California Gold Rush. Supported »
SS.8.A.4.Su.a: Recognize major events and consequences of America’s westward expansion, such as the acquisition of Florida, the Trail of Tears, and the California Gold Rush. Participatory »
SS.8.A.4.Pa.a: Recognize a consequence of America’s westward expansion
The Most Powerful Politicians of the 1790s
George Washington Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Aaron Burr
What were the Founders’ views of conquest, expansion, and colonization?
What did Americans think of:– Social Expansion– Political Expansion– Economic Expansion– Environmental (or territorial) Expansion– Cultural Expansion
Throughout America’s History
What were the Founders’ views of conquest, expansion, and colonization?
What did Americans think of:– Social Expansion– Political Expansion– Economic Expansion– Environmental (or territorial) Expansion– Cultural Expansion
Throughout America’s History:1795, 1803, 1849, 1865, 1900, 1920, 1945, 1990, 2005
George Washington
•Surveying Ohio Valley•George Rogers Clark
•Illinois County, Virginia
•Ohio Country•Washington’s Holdings
•Northwest Ordinance•Jay’s Treaty•Whiskey Rebellion•Treaty of Greenville
Alexander Hamilton
President John Adams forms an army of 25,000 men to fight the French.
George Washington is named Commander of the Army
He agrees only if Hamilton can lead the army in the field.
The French threat dissipates. Hamilton looks to march into the
Louisiana Territory and take all of Texas and even all of Mexico.
Thomas Jefferson
Wanted the Mississippi Valley as early as 1780s
Republican Empire Louisiana Lewis and Clark Florida and Texas
Aaron Burr
Planned to lead an army
into Texas and Mexico
and set up a new nation
under his leadership
American Empire
There was no real opposition to the idea that the United States would expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific.– Any real opposition was political from the
federalists in New England
European powers should have no place in the Americas.
The Revolution should be spread.
Treaty of Greenville
Author- Who was the person or persons writing the document?
Reason- Why did he, she, or they write it? What was its purpose?
Time- When was the Document written? IImmediate effects- What happened as a direct result
of this document? Subsequent effects- What later events could claim
the document as a cause or inspiration? To whom- Who was the intended audience? (Also,
what audiences listened to it since?)
Thomas Jefferson Letter to John Breckenridge, August 12, 1803
MAKE Social aspects of: Political aspects of: Economic aspects of: Environmental (Geographic) aspects of: Cultural aspects of: History