American Expansion 1800 - 1850

1. American Expansion1800 - 1850 Conestoga wagons, sturdy vehicles topped with white canvas, carried settlers most valued possessions – a rifle and ax. Manifest Destiny

2. The Louisiana Purchase • The Louisiana Territory – in 1800 belong to Spain. • Extended west form the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains. • Northern boundary was undefined, southern boundary was the City of New Orleans. • Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans was vital to trade.

3. France Becomes Our Neighbor • The French ruler Napoleon Bonaparte convinces Spain to return the Louisiana Territory. • France has plans to settle the territory with thousands of French farmers and raise food for their slaves in the Caribbean. • Americans are worried that Napoleon will close the port of New Orleans or use the territory to attack us from.

4. One man’s problem, is another’s opportunity • French slaves, lead by Toussaint L’Ouverture, revolt in the Caribbean and push the French out. • Napoleon no longer needs the Louisiana Territory, but does need money for a war with England. • France would rather sell the territory than lose it to England in a war.

5. The Offer and Counter-Offer • In 1803 President Jefferson sends James Monroe and Robert Livingston to France with an offer of $7.5 million for New Orleans. • Napoleon offers ALL of the territory in exchange for $15 million (2-3 cents/acre). • On April 30, 1803 Monroe signs a treaty finalizing the exchange. • What Constitutional authority did the Jefferson have to make this deal?

6. The Interview • Federalist did not like the deal: - new states would be agricultural and most likely Republican. • Some in New England consider withdrawing from the union, but need a strong leader. • The man tapped is Aaron Burr, for the plan to work he runs for governor of New York. • Hamilton Accuses Burr of plotting treason and Burr loses the election. • Meet me in Weehawken.

7. Deal or No Deal • In 1804, Jefferson offers to buy Florida from Spain, the answer was…no deal. • Spain could not control raids by Seminoles into Georgia, nor escaping slaves into the colony. • In 1818 President James Monroe sends Andrew Jackson into to Florida to stop the raids. • Jackson takes every military post in the colony and replaces the Spanish governor with an American. • Spain demands Jackson be called back and his illegal invasion stopped.

8. Florida for Texas • John Quincy Adams convinces Monroe to send Spain a blunt message. • Rather than apologies, Monroe message says either govern Florida properly or get out. • Spain blinks, and agrees to yield Florida to the United States for $5 million. • America also agrees to honor Spain’s longtime claim to Texas.

9. Fifty-four forty or Fight • In 1819, Oregon was claimed by four nations – Russia, Spain, Great Britain , and the United States. • By 1825, both Russia and Spain had dropped their claims to the territory. • With discovery of the South Pass more than 2000 settlers made the long journey in 1844 to Oregon. • A Boston paper reported that “Oregon fever has broken out and is now raging.” • James Polk wins the presidential campaigns on the “All of Oregon or none!”

10. Half full or Half empty? • Polk is not willing to start a war with Britain over Oregon. • Agrees to compromise treaty that divides Oregon roughly in half at the 49th parallel. • This line represents the modern-day western border between United States and Canada. • While senators from the west wanted to hold out for all of Oregon, the treaty was ratified on June 18, 1846.

11. A Rising Star • As an independent country, Texas became know as the Lone Star Republic. • Despite their wishes, Texas remained independent for 10 years. • Southerners were eager to add another slave state, Northerners who opposed slavery wanted to keep Texas out. • Other feared that annexation would lead to war with Mexico. • After Polk was elected, Congress admitted Texas as the 28th state in 1845.

12. How Dare They Shoot at US • After compromising with Britain on Oregon and annexing Texas, President Polk focused on the huge territories of California and New Mexico. • Mexico refused any offer to purchase the lands. • To Mexico, the annexation of Texas was an act of war. To make matter worse, Texas and Mexico could not agree on a border. • On April 25, 1846, Mexican soldiers fired on American troops patrolling along the disputed border, killing 16.

13. “The Time Has Come to Fight” • Americans forces take control of New Mexico with out firing a shot. • Likewise, a group of American rebel in California, and within weeks it all of California is under American control. • 6,000 American troops, led by Zachary Taylor, clash with 20,000 Mexicans being led by Santa Anna. After two days of fierce fighting Santa Anna retreats abandoning N. Mexico. • 7 months later the Mexico City is taken by U.S.

14. Nike • In 1848, Mexico and the U.S. sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. • Mexico gives up Texas, and the region know as the Mexican Cession ( California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico). • U.S. agrees to pay Mexico $15 million. • Seeking flat land for a southern railroad, in 1853 the U.S buys a strip of land on the border for $10 million called the Gadsden Purchase.