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Details
The Young America pushed for invention, expansion and democracy.
They no longer feared the expansion of industry and commerce that might lead to corruption, but embraced speculation,
materialism and the market economy.
Yet westward movement was unchecked and showed an acceptance of the idea of manifest destiny.
Maine/New Brunswick border dispute solved by Webster-Ashburton
Treaty of 1842
Oregon border disputes remained, but territory was sparsely populated
Republic of Mexico (1821) opened territories for free trade
Stimulated commerce
Led to border disputes, especially in California and later Texas
Stephen F. Austin became an empresario
Mexico required citizens to be Catholic, free slaves
New Anglo immigrants did not embrace the changes
Mexican government resented flagrant violations of law
Austin was jailed for encouraging Texan state government
Santa Anna became dictator of Mexico, sent troops to TX
Austin captured San Antonio and Mexican troops
Delegates declared independence on March 2, 1836
Many Tejanos joined the rebels, led by Juan Seguin
Santa Anna was not impressed
Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto
Houston becomes president
Denied annexation, TX was a republic for 10 years
Sante Fe Trail ran from MO to NM
A hazardous route through the Cimarron Desert and Rockies
High profits and government assistance made the trip worthwhile
Texas avengers; and Mexican soldiers fought on the Trail in 1841
Mexican government began to restrict trade and prohibit some exports
Oregon Trail brought settlers overland to the W Coast
2000-mile trail across N Great Plains and Rockies
A 6-month journey from MO
Mass migrations began in 1843 after earlier successes
Mormons began with Joseph Smith in Palmyra, NY
Smith received a new Gospel from the Angel Moroni
Provided a revered place for Native Americans
Smith desired to restore a western Zion and convert natives
Ousted from NY, OH, MO and IL
Lost the war in MO, Smith killed in Carthage, IL
Survivors remained briefly in Nauvoo, IL
Led by Brigham Young to the Great Salt Lake
Still part of Mexico
Called the State of Deseret
Successful due to irrigation and cooperation
Became American territory in 1848
Buchanan planned to force Mormons to relinquish autonomy
Too much snow, too little time a deal was struck
President John Tyler professed manifest destiny
JT replaced WH Harrison after 1 month
Pushed for the annexation of TX
Had the support of Calhoun and the South
Senate rejected the annexation in June 1844
JT hoped to secure annexation before November election
Tyler had no money or party support did not complete run in 1844
Van Buren (D) and Clay (W) agreed to rejects annexation
Polk favored annexation and received the D nomination
Clay began to waiver on annexation, as it was popular
Birney of Liberty Party spoiled the election for Clay
Annexation was approved a few days after Polk took office
to overspread the continent allotted by providence for the free development
of our yearly multiplying millions
Three basic tenets
God favored American expansion
The spread of democracy was bonus for the losers
Population growth required expansion; expansion was required for greatness
Therefore, the US would expand from sea to shining sea
Polk would have settled for the 49th parallel as a N boundary of Oregon
GB sent warships and a proposed treaty
Polk sent the treaty to Congress without recommendation
GB retained Vancouver Island, temporary navigation rights
Set boundary at 49th parallel
Congress accepted treaty, narrowly averted war
Upset expansionists but did appease Northerners who feared TX annexation
Texas annexation included disputed border territories
Mexico broke off diplomatic relations
War ensued fighting began near Matamoros
Polk hoped for a quick war to gain CA and NM
Mexico lost most of the battles but would not surrender
Zachary Taylor, Winfield Scott, John Fremont and Stephen Kearny gained fame
Veracruz fell in March on 1847 (Scott)
Mexico City and Santa Anna captured on September 14
Settlement of the Mexican-American War
Diplomat Nicholas Trist accompanied Scott
Was authorized to negotiate a treaty
Stayed beyond Polk's permission but gained all desired concessions
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo signed on Feb 2, 1848
Gave NM and CA to US
Gave $15 million to Mexico
Established the Rio Grande as the TX/Mexico border
Trist was censured but treaty was accepted
Wilmot Proviso attempted to prohibit slavery in these territories
Was rejected
RRs were cheaper than canals
RRs expanded rapidly and led to increased markets and prosperity
Increased domestic iron industries
Led to the development of stock sales the modern corporations
States and local governments invested in these corporations
The federal government provided the MOST support
Through land grants and surveying
To 40+ private companies
Despite numerous inventions, small workshops still dominated in most
industries
Coal and rubber processing were but a few industrial advances
Agriculture changed dramatically with the invention of the McCormick Reaper
and the John Deere steel plow
Transportation flow shifted from NS to EW
700,000 from 1820 to 1840
4.2 million from 1840 to 1860
3 million from 1845-1855
Most from Ireland and Germany
The potato blight hit Ireland
General hard time hit Germany
Irish moved to cities for jobs
Many Germans came with some money and bought land
Irish suffered discrimination due to poverty and religion
Ethnic neighborhoods and slums developed
Middle class reformers pushed for professional police and fire, water and sewage
Suburbs began to develop
Immigrants gradually replaced native-born workers
Irish men would take jobs in textile mills
12-14 hour workdays were common, unskilled labor became more common
A push for labor reform began but was largely unsuccessful
Hired labor conditions seemed little better than slavery
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