Growth of a Nation (…2 Nations?)

Growth of a Nation (…2 Nations?)

As a result of the American Revolution, Britain cedes its territory east of the Mississippi

What a Deal!

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

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

Slave States vs. Free States

• The abolition movement is still in its infancy.

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

• To understand, we have look at how America had developed two very different ways of life…

Life in the North

• 2½ times the population of the south due mostly to immigrants looking for work in factories

• 70% of all US railroad track • The North was industrial – 110,000

factories vs. 20,000 in the South• In 1860 – production of over $1.5 Billion

in goods (the South produced just $155 million)

Life in the South1. Primarily agrarian2. “Cotton Is King!”

* 1860--> 5 million bales a yr. (57% of total US exports).

3. Slow development of industry4. Rudimentary financial system: $47 million in

banking deposits compared to $207 million in the North.

5. Inadequate transportation system: many farmers still used water routes to transport cargo.

Why does the South want Slave States?

• The South needs to expand their agricultural economy & sees the addition of new states as the perfect answer.

HOWEVER… • The addition of a new Free State meant 2

more senators & additional congressmen in the House of Representatives that would vote in agreement with other northern states

Protecting a Way of Life

• Southerners needed to maintain at least an equal number of slave states to free states so that they have equal representation in Congress (or better).

• …otherwise, legislation would be passed that was agreeable to the northern way of life – not the southern.

The Missouri Compromise

• Maine admitted as a free state• Missouri admitted as a slave state,

but..• Slavery not allowed in any new

states created above Missouri’s southern border.

Missouri Compromise

– 1819, Spain cedes Florida to the US in return for nullification of a Five Million Dollar debt

Soon after, 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 independence but seek admission to the US as a state

Texan Independence

Manifest Destiny

• Throughout the 1830s & 1840s Americans dreamed of an empire stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific

• …”a divine mission to spread liberty across the continent”

• Newspaperman John O’Sullivan claimed it was the nations “Manifest Destiny” to possess the whole continent

War with Mexico After nearly 10 years, the United States

decides the time is right to annex Texas. Mexico protests – war is declared

New Land!

• War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hildalgo

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

• The Gadsen Purchase completes our southwest territory

Results of the Mexican War

Gadsen Purchase

Uh Oh – more land, more issues

• Slave states vs Free states again…• The Compromise of 1850

• California admitted as a free state• Utah & New Mexico as slave territories• Banned Slave trade in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law• Escaped Slaves are now the government’s

responsibility

Uncle Tom’s Cabin1852

Popular Book that brought cruelties of slavery to the attention of the public

Uncle Tom’s CabinHarrietBeecherStowe1811 - 1896So this is the lady

who started the Civil War.

-- Abraham Lincoln

Kansas – Nebraska Act, 1854• “popular sovereignty” to decide free or

slave• Pro-Abolition & Pro-Slavery forces flood

Kansas to sway the vote often clashing with one another - “Bloody Kansas”

Bloody Kansas

• This led to a series of violent acts in the divided territory.

• Tempers flared on all sides of the slavery issue, dragging the country closer to war.

• Militant abolitionist

John Brown & few followers crept into a pro- slavery settlement outside of Lawrence, Kansas.

• They dragged five men

out of their homes & hacked them to

death with swords.

Kansas Nebraska

Dred Scott - 1857• Slaves are

property• Slaves (& former

slaves) were not citizens

• Property rights are guaranteed by the Constitution (5th amendment)

• Missouri Compromise declared unconstitutional

John Brown• Brown returns east

from Kansas & plans a war in Virginia against slavery.

• October 16, 1859, he & 21 men (5 blacks & 16 whites) raided the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry.

Election of 1860• Birth of the Republican Party

• Who was their first candidate?

• The Republicans win the election without winning any Southern States

• The South sees this as a complete loss of political power in Washington

Secession

• 11 southern slave states seceded from the US/Union starting in 1860 w/ S. Carolina– SC, MS, FL, AL, GA, LA, TX, VA, AR, TN, NC

• Confederate States of America– Capital: Montgomery, Alabama (until May 29,

1861) then Richmond, Virginia– President: Jefferson Davis– VP: Alexander Stephens

Union and Confederacy

Fort Sumter: April 12, 1861