Growth of a Nation (…2 Nations?)

Growth of a Nation (…2 Nations?)

As a result of the American Revolution, Britain ceded it's territory east of the Mississippi

What a Deal!What a Deal!

In 1803, the Louisiana Purchase nearly doubles the size of the young nation

– In 1819, Spain cedes Florida to the U.S. in return for the nullification of a Five Million

Dollar debt

Soon Thereafter, Mexico Wins Independence from Spain

Texas

• Southern farming spreads into Mexico• Mexico does not allow slavery• Texans Rebel against Mexico

Remember the Alamo?

• Texans gain their independence but seek admission to the U.S. as a state

Texan Independence

War with Mexico

• After nearly 10 years, the US decides the time is right to annex Texas.

• Mexico protests – war is declared

New Land!

• War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildalgo

• The U.S. obtains land in what is now California, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas (1.2 million square miles!)

• The Gadsen Purchase completes our southwest territory which is referred to as the Mexican Cession.

Results of the Mexican War

Gadsen Purchase

Manifest Destiny

• Many Americans dreamed of a empire stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific

• It was our nation’s “Manifest Destiny” to overspread and possess the whole continent

A Divide Exists:Slave States vs. Free States

• The creation of slave states vs. free states is mostly about economic and political power.

• The abolition (antislavery) movement is still in it’s infancy.

Slave States vs. Free States

• As U.S. territory grows, new states are created.

• States in the North are considered Free States (no slavery)

• Southern states are considered Slave States.

• …it’s not necessarily all about slavery.

Slave States vs Free States

Life in the NorthLife in the North

• Greater population – 2.5 times more than South . . . . Why?

• More railroad track -70% of U.S. total

• More industrial – 90,000 more factories than in the South

• Wealthier - In 1860 – produced over $1.3 billion more in goods!