The Growth of the Nation and its
Presence on the World’s Stage
8.39 Identify the leaders and events and analyze the impact of
western expansion to the development of Tennessee
statehood, including: (G, H, P, TN)
• _William Blount • _John Sevier • _Rocky Mount
• _Treaty of Holston • _Cumberland Gap • _River systems
• _Natchez Trace • _Jackson Purchase
8.53 Write a narrative with supporting text describing the
effects of the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12 on the land
and people of Tennessee. (G, H, TN).
Objectives:
 Identify the leaders and events and analyze the impact
of western expansion to the development of Tennessee
statehood 8.39
 Identify the changing boundaries of the United States
 Explain the effects of the New Madrid Earthquakes of
1811-1812 on Tennessee
Tennessee Territory
 In 1784, the State of Franklin was formed by settlers in
land that belonged to North Carolina (land that later
became part of east Tennessee)
 The settlers declared independence from North
Carolina and the settlers organized their government.
 Settlers petitioned the Continental Congress to accept
the State of Franklin into the Union.
 The settlers were unsuccessful – THE LOST STATE
OF FRANKLIN
Tennessee Territory
 In 1789, North Carolina gave up its western counties (now
the state of Tennessee) became known as the Territory of
the United States South of the River Ohio, or the Southwest
Territory
 George Washington appointed William Blount as governor
of the new territory.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnbcXAT-L88
 The first capital of the Southwest Territory was Rocky
Mount. This was the home of William Cobb, one of the first
settlers of Tennessee.
 William Blount and other leaders in the territory, such as
John Sevier, were involved in land speculation
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joJcePqDl9o
Tennessee Territory
 To attract settlers, the land had to be legally available to live
on and free from attacks by Native Americans.
 The Treaty of Holston was signed in 1791. The Cherokee
gave up all their land east of the Clinch River and north of
the line through Kingston.
 http://study.com/academy/lesson/cherokee-nation-tribehistory-facts-culture.html
 By 1795 the territory had more than the required 60,000
people in order to apply for statehood
 Governor Blount called a convention to Knoxville to draft a
state constitution and bill of rights (** it gave suffrage to all
men – white and free blacks over the age of 21)
Tennessee Territory
 The convention chose a new name for the state –Tennessee
probably from the name of a Cherokee village – Tanasi
 Joseph McMinn (later governor) delivered a copy to
Congress. Statehood was delayed because members of the
Federalist party thought that the people of Tennessee would
vote against John Adams for president. Tennessee
accepted a reduction of the number of electors (3 instead of
4). One congressman instead of two. Tennessee became
the 16th state
 John Sevier was the first governor. Andrew Jackson was
the United Sates representative.
Frontier Life
 The population grew faster than the rest of the United
States.
 Steamboats reached Nashville in 1820. Roads carried
goods. The Natchez Trace was the most important road
(Nashville to Natchez)
 http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/americas-wildestroads/video/drive-alabama-s-natchez-trace
 Andrew Jackson and Kentucky governor Isaac Shelby
negotiated the Jackson Purchase (West Tennessee and
southwestern Kentucky)
 Jackson and other land speculators started the town of
Memphis.
Jackson Purchase
Jackson Purchase
The Sevier-Jackson Rivalry
 Jackson wanted the post of major general of the state
militia.
 Governor Sevier supported another candidate
 Several years later Jackson and Sevier competed for the
same position. Jackson won
 Jackson accused Sevier of land fraud when he ran for his
second term as governor. Sevier won re-election.
 Insults and accusations continued until Governor Sevier
challenged Judge Jackson to a duel. No shots were fired.
Some accounts say that Sevier hit behind a tree – others
say that convinced Jackson to take his hand in friendship
The Sevier Jackson Rivalry
 Rivalry divided Tennessee as well
 Newspapers favored either Sevier or Jackson (biased
reporting)
 On Jackson’s dueling
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuWrR-sQ2Ns
The New Madrid Earthquake
1811-1812
 The New Madrid Earthquakes lasted for nearly 4 month (2,000
tremors)
 Most powerful in US history
 First one could be felt over 976,000 square miles
 On the Mississippi River, the waves were so high that they washed
some boats onto high ground and sank others
 The earthquakes caused devastating damage to the landscape of
the area ( bodies of water filled with sand, cracks so wide that they
could not be crossed and the sinking of the ground at Reelfoot
Lake)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H2c-71R7wU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jA9svKLgiw
(last part)
Changing Boundaries of the
United States
 After the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, the Creek Nation
signed a treaty, Treaty of Fort Jackson.
 The Treaty surrendered 23 million acres to the United
States
The Adams-Onis Treaty
 During the Revolutionary War colonist in Florida remained
loyal to the British
 The Treaty of Paris of 1783 returned those colonies to Spain
 American immigrants began to rebel against Spain
 Americans began to claim the area in West Florida.
 After Jackson invaded west Florida, Secretary of State John
Quincy Adams and Minister Onis signed the Adams Onis
Treaty which ceded Florida to the United States
The Adams-Onis Treaty
 Andrew Jackson led a raid against escaped slaves and
Seminole Natives in Florida. The reason was given to
protect Georgia from Native American attacks
The Convention of 1818
 The Convention of 1818 set the western boundary
between the United States and Canada. The western
boundary became the 49*