WESTWARD EXPANSION NOTES
I. Louisiana Purchase (1803) p. 201
A. Under Jefferson, the U.S. purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for 15 million.
-Doubled the size of the U.S.
-Jefferson doubted whether he had the power to make the purchase under the Constitution.
Used a liberal interpretation (unlike his normal strict interpretation) of the Constitution to make
the purchase.
-Sent Lewis & Clark to explore the new territory
B. Effects of Purchase
-Gave U.S. control of Mississippi River
-Provided additional land available for purchase (Land Ordinance). This expanded the right to
vote as more white males were able to purchase the land the government sold at cheaper
prices.
Label Louisiana Purchase on your map
II. Regional Economic Differences
SOUTH
“King Cotton” –Cotton was king
thanks to Eli Whitney’s Cotton
Gin
-Slavery becomes entrenched
b/w 1790-1810
-Demand for more cotton meant
more need for slaves
-Plantations; cash crops
pp. 213-216
NORTH
-Industry and Finance
-Industrial Revolution
-Factories
-Small family farms
WEST
-Grain
-Cattle Farms
III. Monroe Doctrine (1823) p. 221
A. President Monroe warned all outside powers not to interfere with affairs in the Western Hemisphere
& promised that the US would stay out of the affairs of Europe.
-This depended on help from Britain.
IV. Missouri Compromise (1820) pp. 222-223
A. When Missouri was becoming a state, the question came up: Would Missouri be a slave state?
-When a territory’s population reached 60,000 they could petition to become a state.
-Southern states wanted Missouri as 12th slave state, but this would upset the Senate’s “balance of
power”.
-To balance Missouri becoming the 12th slave state; Maine became the 12th free state.
-Dividing line became 36,30° north latitude. South of this line was slavery.
V. AGE OF ANDREW JACKSON
A. Democracy & Citizenship p. 225
Voting restrictions were eased in many states during presidency of John Quincy Adams. Fewer states
had property requirements for voting. Voting still limited to white males, though.
B. Indian Removal Act (1830) p. 226-227
- Jackson thought assimilation of the Indians (making them part of American society) would not work.
-Indian Removal Act in 1830 allowed the federal government to provide funds to negotiate treaties that
would force Indians to move west.
C. Trail of Tears
-Forced removal of Cherokee by Pres. Martin Van Buren.
-Move 800 miles west, mostly on foot.
-¼ of the population was buried (4000+).
-Government officials stole their money; outlaws took their livestock
VI. Nullification Theory p. 230
1. *John C Calhoun thought the North was getting rich at the expense of the South (1828 “Tariff of
Abominations”). Tariff (tax added to goods imported into country) forced Southerners to buy more
expensive Northern manufactured goods.
2. *He stated that states could nullify (reject) federal laws that they considered unconstitutional.
3. If the federal govt. refused to permit a state to reject a federal law, then the state could withdrawal
from the union.
VII. Manifest Destiny p. 280
1. *Manifest Destiny - The idea that Americans had the God-given right to have the land in America.
Americans believed that their movement westward + southward was destined by God. Destiny was to
expand to Pacific Ocean.
VIII. MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR pp. 288-299
A. Texas Independence
1. Texans declare themselves independent from Mexico.
2. Texas eventually becomes independent nation until annexed into U.S..
B. Texas annexed.
-Texas was eventually annexed into the Union as a slave state in 1845. This was delayed because many
states were concerned about adding another slave state.
C. The Mexican-American War Begins
1. Dec. 29th, 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the Union.
2. Mexico and the U.S. disputed over the border – Rio Grande (River).John Slidell sent to Mexico to
discuss purchase of California and New Mexico = Mexico refuses.
3. President Polk (believed in Manifest Destiny) ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to send troops to the
border; Mexico did as well.
4. A small skirmish broke out & 9 American soldiers were killed.
5. Polk asked Congress for War with Mexico. Congress declares war.
D. Sectional Attitudes Toward War
1. Southerners wanted more southern states to expand.
2. Northerners opposed based on anti-slavery.
E. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) ends war.
1. Mexico agreed to the Rio Grande border for Texas and gave land from NM to CA to the US.
2. U.S. paid 15 million for the Mexican Cession.
3. Gadsden Purchase
1. Disputes still remained-– pay Mexico 10 million for parts of present-day New Mexico and Arizona
2. Est. border of the lower 48 states.
OREGON TERRITORY p. 285
-1827 US and Britain continued to agree that they would occupy Oregon territory together
-1843 Many US settlers poured into Oregon
-Polk argued that US had right to the territory up to 54 degrees 40’ N. The slogan became “54-40, or
fight!”
-The two countries ultimately reach a peaceful agreement to extend the boundary with Canada along
the forty-ninth parallel.
-Oregon becomes US territory.