Unit 3: Rise of Democracy & Manifest Destiny
Timeline:
Terms:
American Colonization Society: Founded in 1817, their main goal was to transport African Americans back to Africa. They helped form the Republic of Liberia in 1822, it was created as a place for former slaves.
Corrupt Bargain: In the election of 1824 the four main candidates were Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, and Henry Clay. None of the candidates received the majority of the Electoral votes so the House of Representatives decided that John Quincy Adams should become president. In response to Clay helping Adams become elected, Adams granted Clay the position of Secretary of State. Many felt this was corrupt since Andrew Jackson had received the most popular votes.
Eli Whitney: Introduced the cotton gin for more efficient cotton farming. Cotton quickly became the leading export in the south and led to more reliance on slavery.
Great Western Frontiers (3): The 3 great western frontiers were made up of the former Texas and California Bear Flag republics, as well as Oregon country. Mass migrations were seen in these 3 frontiers during the early 1800's from settlers looking to find new opportunity. All 3 frontiers saw diversity in their populations, with many being of Hispanic or European descent. And all had a modest population size before being acquired by the United States. Texas and California were obtained from Mexico while Oregon was gotten from the British.
Grimke Sisters: The two sisters were Angelia and Sarah Grimke, they supported women's rights and the abolitionist movement.
Henry Clay: Was Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams, rival of Jackson, and was a member of the Whig Party. He was well liked among citizens, his campaign slogan was "Freedom and Clay". He also played a huge role in the bank war by trying to have a bill passed in Congress that would threaten Jackson's
Indian Removal Act: Conflicts with the Indians prevented expansion westward. Andrew Jackson's solution to this was to move the more "civilized" Indian tribes to places such as Oklahoma. Nearly 100,000 Indians made the journey and many died as a result. These reservations were suppose to be permanently free of American encroachment, which is later proven to be false as more settlers wanted land.
Manifest Destiny: Starting in the 1840's-50's many Americans felt as though they were chosen to manifest the continent of North America. This so called "destiny" was strongly felt under the presidency of Polk, and the Democrats were highly supportive of the idea of Manifest Destiny.
Mexican American War: Polk wanted to obtain California and the southwest from Mexico, but they refused the offer to sell it for $25 million. Polk asked Congress to declare war since Mexico had unpaid claims and Slidnell's rejection. After General Taylor's troops were killed by Mexican forces, Congress promptly declared war on Mexico.
Republican Motherhood: This was the concept that it is a mother's responsibility to raise children to be good citizens in society and pass on the family's political views.
Seneca Falls: Many feminists met here and called for a drafting of a new Constitution, one that would include women. They demanded that women would gain the right to vote. And although this movement was eclipsed by abolition, it launched the first modern day women's rights movement.
Corrupt Bargain: In the election of 1824 the four main candidates were Andrew Jackson, John Quincy Adams, William Crawford, and Henry Clay. None of the candidates received the majority of the Electoral votes so the House of Representatives decided that John Quincy Adams should become president. In response to Clay helping Adams become elected, Adams granted Clay the position of Secretary of State. Many felt this was corrupt since Andrew Jackson had received the most popular votes.
Eli Whitney: Introduced the cotton gin for more efficient cotton farming. Cotton quickly became the leading export in the south and led to more reliance on slavery.
Great Western Frontiers (3): The 3 great western frontiers were made up of the former Texas and California Bear Flag republics, as well as Oregon country. Mass migrations were seen in these 3 frontiers during the early 1800's from settlers looking to find new opportunity. All 3 frontiers saw diversity in their populations, with many being of Hispanic or European descent. And all had a modest population size before being acquired by the United States. Texas and California were obtained from Mexico while Oregon was gotten from the British.
Grimke Sisters: The two sisters were Angelia and Sarah Grimke, they supported women's rights and the abolitionist movement.
Henry Clay: Was Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams, rival of Jackson, and was a member of the Whig Party. He was well liked among citizens, his campaign slogan was "Freedom and Clay". He also played a huge role in the bank war by trying to have a bill passed in Congress that would threaten Jackson's
Indian Removal Act: Conflicts with the Indians prevented expansion westward. Andrew Jackson's solution to this was to move the more "civilized" Indian tribes to places such as Oklahoma. Nearly 100,000 Indians made the journey and many died as a result. These reservations were suppose to be permanently free of American encroachment, which is later proven to be false as more settlers wanted land.
Manifest Destiny: Starting in the 1840's-50's many Americans felt as though they were chosen to manifest the continent of North America. This so called "destiny" was strongly felt under the presidency of Polk, and the Democrats were highly supportive of the idea of Manifest Destiny.
Mexican American War: Polk wanted to obtain California and the southwest from Mexico, but they refused the offer to sell it for $25 million. Polk asked Congress to declare war since Mexico had unpaid claims and Slidnell's rejection. After General Taylor's troops were killed by Mexican forces, Congress promptly declared war on Mexico.
Republican Motherhood: This was the concept that it is a mother's responsibility to raise children to be good citizens in society and pass on the family's political views.
Seneca Falls: Many feminists met here and called for a drafting of a new Constitution, one that would include women. They demanded that women would gain the right to vote. And although this movement was eclipsed by abolition, it launched the first modern day women's rights movement.
Primary Sources:
Title: German Migration to the US in the 1800's
Link: http://home.comcast.net/~owen.rutz/rutz_genealogy/German_Immigration.htm
Summary: This article illustrates the reasons and influence the Germans brought over from Europe to the United States. In this time, the German migrants made up the largest group of non English speaking immigrants. The major reason for this mass migration was for political and religious reasons. To many Germans, America was seen as this cradle of Democracy where they could enjoy more freedoms. The greatest challenged they faced on their journey to the United States was the month and a half long travel by ship. Many of these immigrants faced illness such as seasickness or food poisoning caused by wrongly prepared food.
Significance: This source is significant because the Germans did much to shape modern America. Their farming techniques, intelligence, and culture was brought over to their newly adopted country. They also played a significant role in leadership during wars, most notably the American Revolution and later on the Civil War. The Germans were also greatly influential to the shaping of the Republican Party, most notably the stance on antislavery and importance of free markets. In addition, because of they tendencies to stay isolated from others, many did not discriminate against them. Doing so, they became one of the first groups to be integrated into American society.
By: Diana D.
Title: Will There Be War with Mexico?
Link: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncps:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABL5306-0002-38))::
Summary: This article expresses the concerns of the people of a possiblity of a war with Mexico. These concerns arose after the project was started to annex Texas. Doing so would apparently mean a declaration of war. Thus, many rumors began to appear that forces were being rallied to attack Mexico in order to fight for the Texas land; to take it by force. While Texas has no armed forces of its own, Mexico does. They are assured time and time again that this invasion will not lead to a war with Mexico.
Significance: This source demonstrates a point of view that the Americans were attacking without a solid purpose. The citizens themselves are worried that the President may rashly hurry forces into Texas, meaning they were unsure of the central government's decisions. This shows a lost of faith from the people, who do not believe as much in the clarity of the President's decisions. Their reactions show that they do not feel it is right to fight for Texas. The people were against it, and even found it unconstitutional, further emphasizing the lack of state and common person contribution.
By: Lisa C.
Title: Sell a Country! Why Not Sell the Air?
Link: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nativeamericans/chieftecumseh.htm
Summary: This speech delivered by Tecumseh to the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, tells about the atrocities that selling land produces both between the whites and the Indians and amongst the tribes themselves. Tecumseh states that the Great Spirit has enlightened him and that the Great Spirit has made the oceans, seas, air, and everything else around them. He also disputes that any tribe that sells land to the whites will be condemned and that tribes should not fight amongst themselves since the land belongs to everyone.
Significance: This source is significant because it shows the connection between Tecumseh and the sale of land. Tecumseh vehemently opposes the concept of selling land because he says that it is not necessary since the land is free and belongs to all. The expansion of white settlers during the "Manifest Destiny" era was strongly affecting the natives of that time such as Tecumseh and his fellow tribes.
By: Sebastian Trece
Link: http://home.comcast.net/~owen.rutz/rutz_genealogy/German_Immigration.htm
Summary: This article illustrates the reasons and influence the Germans brought over from Europe to the United States. In this time, the German migrants made up the largest group of non English speaking immigrants. The major reason for this mass migration was for political and religious reasons. To many Germans, America was seen as this cradle of Democracy where they could enjoy more freedoms. The greatest challenged they faced on their journey to the United States was the month and a half long travel by ship. Many of these immigrants faced illness such as seasickness or food poisoning caused by wrongly prepared food.
Significance: This source is significant because the Germans did much to shape modern America. Their farming techniques, intelligence, and culture was brought over to their newly adopted country. They also played a significant role in leadership during wars, most notably the American Revolution and later on the Civil War. The Germans were also greatly influential to the shaping of the Republican Party, most notably the stance on antislavery and importance of free markets. In addition, because of they tendencies to stay isolated from others, many did not discriminate against them. Doing so, they became one of the first groups to be integrated into American society.
By: Diana D.
Title: Will There Be War with Mexico?
Link: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ncps:@field(DOCID+@lit(ABL5306-0002-38))::
Summary: This article expresses the concerns of the people of a possiblity of a war with Mexico. These concerns arose after the project was started to annex Texas. Doing so would apparently mean a declaration of war. Thus, many rumors began to appear that forces were being rallied to attack Mexico in order to fight for the Texas land; to take it by force. While Texas has no armed forces of its own, Mexico does. They are assured time and time again that this invasion will not lead to a war with Mexico.
Significance: This source demonstrates a point of view that the Americans were attacking without a solid purpose. The citizens themselves are worried that the President may rashly hurry forces into Texas, meaning they were unsure of the central government's decisions. This shows a lost of faith from the people, who do not believe as much in the clarity of the President's decisions. Their reactions show that they do not feel it is right to fight for Texas. The people were against it, and even found it unconstitutional, further emphasizing the lack of state and common person contribution.
By: Lisa C.
Title: Sell a Country! Why Not Sell the Air?
Link: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/nativeamericans/chieftecumseh.htm
Summary: This speech delivered by Tecumseh to the ninth president of the United States, William Henry Harrison, tells about the atrocities that selling land produces both between the whites and the Indians and amongst the tribes themselves. Tecumseh states that the Great Spirit has enlightened him and that the Great Spirit has made the oceans, seas, air, and everything else around them. He also disputes that any tribe that sells land to the whites will be condemned and that tribes should not fight amongst themselves since the land belongs to everyone.
Significance: This source is significant because it shows the connection between Tecumseh and the sale of land. Tecumseh vehemently opposes the concept of selling land because he says that it is not necessary since the land is free and belongs to all. The expansion of white settlers during the "Manifest Destiny" era was strongly affecting the natives of that time such as Tecumseh and his fellow tribes.
By: Sebastian Trece