Expansion of the United States 1783-1853

1. Expansion of the United States 1783-1853 • Era of Good Feeling (1817-1825) • The 8 years of James Monroe’s Presidency • Time of unity, optimism, patriotism • Key idea of this time was the American system proposed by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky • American System: • Plan that encouraged the development of American industry, • the building of roads, bridges, and canals for transportation, • and tariffs to protect American manufacturing from foreign competition. • Aimed to make America self-sufficient, both agriculturally and industrially.

2. Alabama • Was at one time part of the Mississippi territory. • Alabama territory organized in 1817. • Alabama became the 22nd state on December 14, 1819.

3. Monroe Doctrine (1823) • Issued by President James Monroe • US would oppose any European interference in the affairs of independent countries in the Americas. • Any European interference would be viewed by the US as an unfriendly act. • The American continents should not be considered for further colonization by Europe

4. Indian Removal Act (1830) • President Andrew Jackson ordered the removal of Indians in the Southeast so that white settlers could have their lands. • The Indians were sent to reservations in Oklahoma. • Included in the removal were the major tribes of Alabama (Creek, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw) • Over ¼ of the Cherokees died on the 800 mile journey to Oklahoma—of disease, starvation, or cold—Cherokees call this the Trail of Tears.

5. Westward Expansion • There were various trails to the West • Oregon Trail: Independence, Missouri to Oregon • Santa Fe Trail: Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico • Mormon Trail: Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah (used by Mormons) • California Trail: branched off Oregon trail to go to California. • Gold was discovered in California in 1848 at Sutter’s Mill near Sacramento. • Many people moved to California to find gold in the Gold Rush of 1849—hince the nickname 49er’s.

6. Texas Independence • Texas was part of Mexico although many Americans moved there. • The people of Texas eventually rebelled and won their independence from Mexico. • A key battle in the Texas War of Independence was the Battle of the Alamo • Texas was its own independent country, the Republic of Texas with President Sam Houston, from 1836-1845 • Texas asked to be annexed to the US; joined as a slave state in 1845.

7. Mexican War—US v. Mexico (1846-1848) • Because of territorial disputes over the boundaries of Texas and refusal of Mexico to sell more territory to the US, war broke out. • The US won easily. • Mexico gave up ½ its land, selling California and New Mexico to the US for $18 million (This is called Mexican Cession)

8. Manifest Destiny • The belief that it was God’s will for the US to expand and eventually possess the entire North American continent. • This phrase was often heard as America and its people expanded westward. • It was often the “excuse” to remove Indians from their land.

9. Jacksonian Democracy • President Andrew Jackson (hero of War of 1812) was seen as a “common man”; more emphasis was given to the “common man” during his presidency. • Extension of voting rights—property qualifications for white males to vote were dropped—this gave the name Jacksonian Democracy • Spoils System—Jackson openly gave his friends and supporters high positions in the government; a nicer term for this is Patronage or Nepotism • Nullification Crisis Over the Tariff of 1828 or the “Tariff of Abominations”—the state of South Carolina protested the tariffs (taxes) placed on foreign manufactured goods. • Senator John C. Calhoun of SC stated that a state did not have to obey a law that was harmful to the state (nullification) • Also if ¾ of the states believed a law to be unconstitutional, the law would be null and void. • There was talk that SC would leave the Union. • Jackson was prepared to call in federal troops if SC attempted to secede.